THE TEAM
Meet Tanelle Bolt, our founder:
Tanelle Bolt, Founder
Three years ago, Tanelle worked seven days a week, managed two companies, plus her own interior design company. She was also bartending three nights a week and had just discovered a love for fitness competition.
Now, Tanelle is paralyzed, wheelchair bound and trying to pursue national athletics while raising awareness of independence despite of mobility issues. Tanelle is actively working to make British Columbia more accessible to those individuals.
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Why is Tanelle doing this?
On August 10, 2014, Tanelle suffered a free jumping accident off a 60’ bridge. When she made impact with the water, she burst fractured her T6 vertebra and became a paraplegic. As a fitness-obsessed business owner, she wasted no time pushing the limits of her recovery, trying to fill the new void as quickly as possible with outdoor activities, anything to keep her body active and her mind distracted.
However, over the past 3-years, Tanelle has found her journey exceedingly difficult. There is distinct lack of equipment and resources available to independent individuals living with mobility issues. Many communities outside of the lower-mainland do not even have ramp accessible buildings.
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It's expensive people!
Moreover, as Tanelle learned quickly, accessing the adaptive equipment necessary to pursue her athletic goals, continue her hobbies, and get herself and her equipment from point A to point B is concerningly difficult, not least of all because of the financial burden.
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For example, the cost of basic trike is $9,500.
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The cost of a maximum mobility smart drive for your wheelchair? $6000.00
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A used accessible RV? $21,000.00
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A wheelchair paddle board $6,100.00
The accessible vehicle to move all this gear (including your wheelchair) around? “A new vehicle modified with adaptive equipment can cost from $20,000 to $80,000.”
And that price doesn’t necessarily mean you won’t need to make additional (costly) adjustments to be able to carry the aforementioned equipment. And you thought signing your kids up for dance, soccer, and skiing was going to be expensive.
The point is, as Tanelle discovered early on that one of the biggest struggles faced by individuals after they sustain such such an expensive injury without the proper insurance to cover life afterwards is financial.
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With the help of community
Tanelle explains that without the quick efforts of close friends pulling together the initial fundraisers to support her initial expenses and her move from Victoria to Invermere, BC where the cost of living is lower, she would be in a very difficult situation.
Knowing this, Tanelle decided to embark on yet another journey to help others in similar situations by forming RAD, a society that will help individuals with short term and permanent mobility issues to lead independent active lifestyles with family and friends by providing an inventory of adaptive sporting and outdoor equipment for low-cost short and long term rental purposes. As well as provide immediate financial assistance to others after an injury by hosting a charity event in your town.
Pretty cool right? We certainly thought so.
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If you'd like to help Tanelle help others facing a similar struggle, please attend one of our events or
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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Kelly Miller
Vice President
Kelly Miller is a visionary leader at the intersection of technology, accessibility, and community development. As a Data Infrastructure Planner for BC Hydro, Kelly plays a key role in managing critical IT infrastructure, ensuring the resilience and efficiency of data centers that power British Columbia’s public utility sector.
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Beyond his expertise in technology, Kelly is a passionate advocate for adaptive recreation and accessible housing. As the Vice President of RAD Recreation Adapted Society, he is instrumental in expanding opportunities for individuals with disabilities to participate in outdoor sports and recreation. An adaptive athlete himself, Kelly champions inclusion and pushes for innovative solutions that break down barriers.
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Kelly is also the Development Manager for iALP (Inclusive Accessible Living Plaza), a groundbreaking initiative dedicated to creating 100% accessible, mixed-use residential and commercial developments. His leadership is the driving force behind iALP, shaping its vision, securing partnerships, and navigating the complexities of real estate development to bring fully inclusive communities to life.
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Through his work in technology, adaptive recreation, and accessible infrastructure, Kelly continues to make a lasting impact on communities across British Columbia, pioneering initiatives that foster inclusion, independence, and opportunity for all.
Anna Braunizer
Secretary
Anna Braunizer grew up in the forests, mountains, and waterways of W̱JOȽEȽP, hiking, kayaking, biking, canoeing, paddleboarding, and playing outdoors. She is now an occupational therapist in the community working with people to figure out how they can do what matters for living well. She joined the board for RAD because she loves spending time in nature with friends and finding ways we can all do things together.
Terreane Derrick
Indigenous Community Liaison
Terreane was born in Smithers, BC and grew up in the country where riding horses was a big part of her life. She enjoyed being in nature and had access to many outdoor activities including canoeing, hiking and swimming.
Terreane is Gitxsan, of German descent, and currently lives in Vancouver, BC where she is actively contributing to the Art Community thru multifaceted art practices, from paint to the spoken word. joined the Board of Directors of RAD after experiencing a lack of independent outdoor access and aligning with our mission to create barrier free outdoor adventure opportunities that promote health and wellbeing.
Terreane Derrick
Indigenous Community Liaison
Terreane was born in Smithers, BC and grew up in the country where riding horses was a big part of her life. She enjoyed being in nature and had access to many outdoor activities including canoeing, hiking and swimming.
Terreane is Gitxsan, of German descent, and currently lives in Vancouver, BC where she is actively contributing to the Art Community thru multifaceted art practices, from paint to the spoken word. joined the Board of Directors of RAD after experiencing a lack of independent outdoor access and aligning with our mission to create barrier free outdoor adventure opportunities that promote health and wellbeing.
Aditya Dhariwal
Board Member
Adit was born and raised in Bangkok, Thailand, before moving to Vancouver, BC, in 2019 to attend UBC. With a passion for innovation, he works as a research assistant for the MATTERs Lab, focusing on assistive technologies that enhance mobility and independence for people with disabilities and older adults.
An avid athlete, Adit enjoys swimming, running, cycling, and playing basketball and softball with friends. His dedication to accessibility and inclusion drives his work, aiming to bridge the gap between technology and real-world solutions for those who need them most.
