After finishing his university degree, OB Toby Chappell (Hawks, 2019) took a well-earned gap year to pursue his passion for snowboarding in Whistler, Canada. He split his days between making waffles at the Crystal Hut and working evenings at Brewhouse—living life to the fullest and embracing the mountain lifestyle he loved.

Everything changed on 8th January this year.

At 24 years of age, while snowboarding with friends at the terrain park, Toby suffered a devastating fall. A bad landing shattered his L3 vertebrae, sending a splinter into his T11 and leaving him with no feeling below the knees. With the amazing support of ski patrol, he was quickly airlifted to receive emergency surgery to decompress the spinal cord at Vancouver General Hospital. Toby is now using a wheelchair and facing a long road to recovery.

Three months later and despite the trauma, Toby’s spirit is unbreakable. He is currently undergoing intensive rehabilitation at G.F. Strong Rehab Centre, after weeks of medical support at VGH, with his incredible determination, there is hope for some return of mobility. But the journey ahead is challenging.

Since moving to Whistler, Toby has built a life and a community there. It has been more than just a gap year—it’s become home, he dreams of returning to Whistler this summer to be back in the mountains doing what he loves most: enjoying nature, being part of the vibrant Whistler lifestyle in whatever way he can surrounded by his friends, with a goal of learning to use an adaptive bike.

Toby has a big group of friends who have been with him throughout his recovery and will continue to be by his side for his hopeful return to Whistler. Experiencing this life changing injury has been unimaginably challenging; Toby has been incredibly brave through every stage of his recovery - nothing short of inspiring.

His family and friends are raising funds to ease the financial burden so he can focus entirely on recovery, and eventually, return to the life he worked so hard to build.

If you would like to read more about Toby's story, click HERE.