More Than Mobility: The Freedom to Live Life on My Terms

We’re proud to welcome Meghan Hines as a Motion Client Ambassador. A passionate disability advocate, powerhockey athlete, traveller, and working professional, Meghan brings a powerful perspective on the role mobility equipment can play in opening doors to new experiences and possibilities. In her own words, Meghan shares how the right mobility solutions, combined with personalized support and a team that truly listens, have helped her build a life around the things that matter most to her.

If someone asked me what has had the biggest impact on my independence, my answer wouldn’t be just one thing. It’s been having access to the right support, opportunities, and mobility equipment that have allowed me to build the life I want to live.

I live with Congenital Muscular Dystrophy and have been using a power wheelchair since I was six years old. Over the years, I’ve also relied on a variety of assistive devices as my needs have changed. They’ve never been just pieces of equipment, they’ve been the tools that have allowed me to grow, explore, work, and build a life that’s full of opportunities.

Today, I work full time in Human Resources at one of Canada’s financial institutions. Outside of work, I spend much of my time giving back to the community through disability advocacy, volunteering, and initiatives that help create more accessible and inclusive spaces. I’m passionate about helping create a world where others have the same opportunities to pursue their passions, achieve their goals, and live life on their own terms. I’ve experienced firsthand the difference the right support can make, and I want others to have those same opportunities.

My mobility equipment has given me the freedom to pursue the things I’m most passionate about, and one of the biggest has been powerhockey.

Powerhockey is one of the few competitive team sports available to people who use powerchairs, but for me it’s always been about much more than the game. Growing up, it connected me with people who understood my experiences and showed me what was possible. It gave me friendships that have lasted a lifetime, opportunities to compete around the world, and even introduced me to my husband.

Travel is another huge part of my life. Like many wheelchair users, I know that travelling comes with challenges, but I never want those challenges to define where I can go or what I can experience. I recognize that being able to travel is a privilege, and it reinforces how many things need to come together, from accessible transportation and accommodations to careful planning and the right equipment, to make those experiences possible.

My mobility equipment is an important part of that. My powerchair allows me to explore destinations independently, while my manual wheelchair gives me the flexibility to access places where a powerchair may not always be the most practical option. Combined with thoughtful planning, accessible services, and the support I receive along the way, all these things have helped make it possible for me to experience places I once only dreamed about.

None of this would be possible without the right equipment, and the right team behind it. For many years, Motion has been a trusted partner in supporting my independence, and what I’ve always appreciated most is that the team that supports me understands the importance of truly listening to my needs and understanding my life and my needs wholistically. Getting a new wheelchair or assistive device isn’t as simple as choosing a product. Every millimetre matters. I spend more than 15 hours a day in my powerchair, so it has to fit me, support me, and work for the life I want to live.

Previous

Next

If my powerchair isn’t comfortable, it doesn’t just impact my independence or my ability to play powerhockey or travel, it can also have significant health implications. My Motion team understands that. They don’t just look at my clinical needs, they take the time to understand me, how I live, what’s important to me, and what I want to achieve. They work with me every step of the way, making adjustments until everything is just right, no matter how long it takes. Together, we find solutions that allow me to continue living the life I want.

Sometimes those solutions are practical, and sometimes they’re a little more fun. I love wearing a great pair of high heels, so having a second set of lower footplates means I can wear them comfortably and safely. It might seem like a small detail, but it’s those personalized touches that make all the difference. They allow me to express myself while ensuring my powerchair continues to provide the support I need.

I’m excited to join Motion as a Client Ambassador because I want people to see mobility equipment differently. A wheelchair isn’t something that limits my life, it’s what gives me the freedom to live it. It has allowed me to build a career, give back to my community, compete in the sport I love, travel the world, and live independently.

I hope that by sharing my story, I can help others see that mobility equipment is about so much more than getting from one place to another. When combined with the right support, it can create opportunities, build confidence, and help people pursue the life they want to live. I’m looking forward to sharing more of my journey and connecting with others along the way.

Meghan Hines