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Accessibility for all: Helping people connect with who and what matters most
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It has been 18 years since Jason broke his neck in his own swimming pool, at the age of 31. He has been a quadriplegic since then with limited arm function. He has always found comfort in giving back. First through the local independent living center for 5 years, and more recently for as Outreach Coordinator for John Dillon Park, an accessible campground. After persevering through many struggles and eventually becoming independent enough to live alone. One thing he has always struggled with is transportation.
After investing close to $30,000, in a total of four vans, only one he could drive; they all had to be retired due to rusted frames. In 2018 he had enough practice to go for his driving test, but his van failed inspection. Currently he has access to rides to medical appointments and for his job.
He is also chairman of an accessibility advisory committee to the department of environmental conservation and has begun writing blogs for the local tourism organization about access to outdoor recreation.
With a van he could drive, and the means to obtain his license, Jason would be able to give back so much more, and finally be able to visit family and friends who live hours away.
Donations through help hope live will give Jason the freedom to go where and when he wants in order to spread the word about access to the outdoors to countless people disabilities.
Here are some podcasts and articles that I have been a part of:
Capital Pressroom Podcast
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-capitol-pressroom/id688403198?i=1000575018169
Adirondack Experience Blog
https://www.adirondackexperience.com/story/2022/pinnacle-of-independence
Adirondack Explorer article
https://www.adirondackexplorer.org/stories/accessible-adirondacks –
Life after paralysis podcast
https://lnns.co/3EwmTKDytc5
My accessible vans, road salt, and rust:
What prevents me from making more of the Adirondacks Accessible.
Over the course of 13 years I owned a total of four vans that were able to accommodate my power wheelchair. One of these vans was outfitted for me to drive. I purchased it with an inheritance from my grandmother in 2016. It took some time to get it on the road, for me to get my learners permit, and to be evaluated to determine whether my level of function as a quadriplegic was enough to safely drive.
By January 2018 I had enough practice to take my drivers test and get my license. My van was due for inspection and after many other repairs was discovered to have a frame that was beyond repair. My hope of driving independently was diminished. If not for the rust, I would be driving it today. It sits in my yard, fully functional other than the frame. They use excessive salt on the roads to melt the snow and ice. Salt is corrosive and causes vehicles to rust.
The first van I had was given to me. It was older and only lasted a year before rust made it unsafe. The second van that I had, I purchased for $500, with added investments totaling another 500 it was ready for the road. This was not a van that I could drive but one that other people could drive me in and enable me to go places. Once again I investing another two thousand dollars, eventually the frame was rusted. The most recent van I purchased was for $1000 and once again after investing more money, once again the frame eventually was rusted.
I became an Adirondack resident when I started a Paul Smiths college in 1991. I had always wanted to be a chef and proceeded to work in various aspects of food service up till my diving accident in 2004. In a little over a year, I was invited to be on the advisory board for the Tri Lakes center for Independent living. First as a board member, and then hired in the spring of 2006. One of our initial goals was to make the Tri Lakes more accessible for residents and tourists like.
By November of 2006 I gave a presentation to the Saranac Lake Chamber of Commerce outlining our plan for the Tourism The Accessibility project. The goal was to evaluate restaurants and eventually hotels in the area and determine what was accessible.
By 2019 I was hired as Outreach Coordinator for John Dillon Park, an accessible campground designed for people with disabilities and free to the public. In 2020 I became chairman of the Accessibility Advisory Committee for the DEC and the APA. This has led me to be involved with the New York State Trails Council, the Forest Preserve Advisory Committee, and an Adirondack Rail Trail Stakeholder, representing accessibility and people with disabilities.
Due to Covid, it was easy for me to attend these meetings over zoom. Now that Covid restrictions are being lifted everywhere, a lot of these meetings are taking place in person. There are also many field trips to accessible projects throughout the DEC lands that highlight expanding opportunities in the outdoors for people with disabilities.
Currently, I do not have a vehicle that will accommodate my power wheelchair. If I had a van that I could drive, I would be able to make a major impact on accessibility issues for tourists and residents alike in the tri lakes, in the Adirondacks, and throughout New York State.
It is my life‘s mission to make it possible for people disabilities to have adventures and experience our most beautiful outdoor spaces. With a van that I could drive, I would be able to travel in all directions to make this a possibility.
I want to thank those who have already donated. My gratitude is unending!
Jeffrey Gaines and your friend Russel. Special thanks to Denise and Elmer, one day I will be ready to visit Tennessee. Lori and Scott Collins, love you guys and can’t wait to drive to Vermont and visit.
I am in the process of determining the cost of a sustainable van that I can drive. I am also considering what it will take for me to get proper training and practice to obtain my license. I am looking at preowned vans with low miles.
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Hope this one time amount for now helps out!
Gail Snyder
You are a true inspiration!!! Keep on keeping on!! ❤️
Floreen Breyette
Love you l!!!
Anonymous
We love you and hope you get your can soon!!
Stephanie & Ryan
Stephanie Woodward
Jason, we’ve only spoken a few times and my impression of you is one who’d shoot for the moon when it comes to helping others!
Your unbridled spirit manifests to benefit everyone! I wish you could have a self driving E-V but for now…GET THAT VAN!
wish i could offer more $
still wondering how we can come together as a force
best, Kerry (& Gonza) Camp Adirondacks
Kerry Reardon
Good luck, Jason! Let's do this!
Rabia Shinaishin
Thank you, Jason, for all your work in making our beautiful Adks accessible to everyone.
Ruth Gais
Hope I get to cross paths with you someday out in the woods! Best of luck towards your goal and all you work for!
Ryan Finnigan
Never give up Jason
Wendy Hall
Jason is an incredible inspiration to us all! I hope he finds many who support him and help him to meet his goal!
Denise & Elmer Baum
Good luck Jason!! I admire your accomplishments, dedication and determination!! I hope you achieve your goal. Don't give up!!
I worked with your Mom at Lowe's here in Greenville, SC many years ago. She's a hard worker and a very nice person.
GOOD LUCK!!
Your Friend,
Jeff Gaines
Jeffery Gaines
Make checks payable to:
Help Hope Live
Note in memo:
In honor of Jason Thurston
Mail to:
Help Hope Live
2 Radnor Corporate Center
Suite 100
100 Matsonford Road
Radnor, PA 19087
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