Smalltown Alberta helps teenager drive towards independence
It's a dream shared by many 16-year-olds.
Get a driver's licence, get a car, hit the road, Jack.
Aaron Friesen got a taste of that kind of independence on Tuesday when he drove himself to school for the first time.
It was a pretty big deal, because Aaron has cerebral palsy, and people in his tiny hometown, a couple of towns actually, had to help him come up with $50,000 to buy a wheelchair accessible van.
"I always said I wanted to drive to my first day of Grade 12," he said. "It's cool that I actually did it. I'll be able to drive where I want to now. It'll just change everything."
Aaron has used a wheelchair his entire life. A year ago, he went to pick up a new one and spotted a poster for mobility awareness month. Included on the poster was a contest to win a retrofitted van.
He entered. Somebody else won.
So, Aaron's friends and family and other people in his hometown of Ranfurly, and others up the road in Innisfree, launched a fundraiser to help him buy one.
"I didn't know that so many people had helped me," Aaron said. "People who didn't even know me."
When he pulled his van up outside Delnorte School in Innisfree, about 130 kilometres east of Edmonton, friends and fellow students were waiting for him. They cheered as he rolled down the ramp onto the sidewalk.
"I wasn't expecting this," he said. "This is awesome!"
Principal Celeste Matovich said Aaron has talked for years about driving, and she never doubted he would find a way to make that dream come true.
"His future is unlimited now," she said. "He gets to have ownership of his person, and his life.
"People wanted to do this for him. When you meet him, you want to do anything you can for him. Because he is thoughtful, he's kind, and he's someone you want to have the best for."
Conrad Fowler and Aaron have been friends for years. He often drove Aaron, and to other places where teenagers go.
"Seeing him drive up to school today, it was amazing," Conrad said. "I don't even really have words to say how big an accomplishment that is. Maybe he can drive me now."
This summer, to get ready for his big first day, Aaron took two months of driving lessons at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital in Edmonton.
Next year, he plans to drive his Dodge Grand Caravan to college or university, where he wants to study journalism, because he loves to write.
The Alberta Motor Association has made a video about Aaron's achievements, to show others what's possible.
"It's just great that they gave me the opportunity to put my story out there. I'm glad so many people were inspired by my story."
After all the fuss died down, Aaron and Conrad had a few minutes to themselves.
"Nice van," Conrad said. "How many ponies is she pushing?"
"Two-eighty-five," Aaron said, because 16-year-old boys know about things like horsepower.
"How does it feel to be a celebrity?"
"I had to do three interviews before school," Aaron said, as if that was sort of a big deal, but not that big.
Conrad glanced at the van. "Are you gonna rip out of here?"
"Yeah," Aaron said. "We'll go for a ride at lunch."
