Paralyzed N. Van man on slow road to recovery Andrew ficCredie Editor andrew@usnews.com “TM here. I’m down, but I'm noc out.” That's Brian BelPs message to ail his tricnds. The 37-vear old father of mo was paralyzed from the chest down following a seemingly innocuous fal off his mountain bike fast August as he rede fram the Lean Headwaters: Park caretaker’s home — where he lives with his wite Kirsten and daughters Stephanic, aged five, and Keeley, aged one — to see the park ranger. The fall broke his neck and severely dam- aged his spinal cord. In a second, his life changed. “I's been a rocky road so far,” Rell said last week ftom his bed at GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre in Vancouver. “1 went through a lot of emotional stuff in the beginning. There were times when I just want- ed todie.” + The North Van born and raised man didn’t need to look far for rea- son to live. “I've got an awesome wife, and two beautiful: children,” he said. “I seriously thought, many times, of wanting to die, but Pve never actually planned it out or anything. It’s more just a feeling of | want out. Of escape. “I've also got huge support from triends and family ~ that’s kept me from sinking down to the depths.” It has been a fong struggle for the outdoor- toving Bell, his close-knit family and his large network of friends. Coming to terms with being paralyzed is tough enough, but medical prob- lems have plagued Bell’s recovery. “I’ve been hit it seems with every possible roadblock so far in terms of getting better,” he said. First there were 1] days in traction waiting to get into the operating room, then it was water in his chest; then pneumonia, then urinary tract infections (*UTIs as they calf chem in the lingo of spinal cord. ‘They just suck the juice out of you.”) “But I fought all them off,” he said. Bell added that he’s learned the true meaning of the term “one day ata time.” “HT start thinking too far ahead [ get kind of depressed.” Bell's wite Kirsten — “my bulldog in my cor- ner” he calls her — is holding down the fort with both daughters in the carctaker’s house, doing the tasks necessary to keep Brian’s end of his caretaking contract fulfilled. Ac the time of the City merchanis bemoan Danica Riley Contributing Writer accident Brian was also working for West Vancouver municipality. Brian said his wife has been his strength. He remembers telling Kirsten before the accident that if he ever became a quadriplegic he wouldn’t want to live that way. “That’s totally changed now,” he said. “Once you get thrown into this positica, it’s a totally different ball game. Initially, when this hap- pened, 1 was telling her, ‘Let me die. I don’t want to live through this.” “She was crying by my bedside, saying, ‘It's just your body (that is injured). Your head’s still the same; your brain is still functioning. You're still che same person,’ ” He's also received words of wisdom from onc his youngest supporters. : “I cold Stephanie on one of her visits here that when she grows up she can be a doctor who cures spinal cord injuries,” Kirsten said. “She looked at Brian and said, ‘Ahhh, Dad, vou'll be walking by then.” That kind of optimism fills Bell’s semi-private room. Photos of his children, wife and friends fill one wall, The optimistic spirit lives in Brian too. “Preserve the right to believe thar I will walk again. A lot of people in here have trouble with that because they don’t think I'm being realistic. They say ‘You gor to grip it, man, and you got to BUN King Bakery owner Okhee Park has fost 30% of her business since North Vancouver City installed parking meters in the 100-block of East 14th Street. The problem is compounded by the one-way street, which was completed in June 1997, and road closures that have resulted from area construction. “Tve been here for 15 years. We made this store. Wednesday, January 27, 1999 — North Shore News -- 3 est challeng Ry Sok NEWS photo Paul McGrath BRIAN Bell (right) shares a laugh with Jim Neilson during a peer group meeting at GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre in Vancouver on Monday. A fundraising benefit is being held in March at Deibrock recreation centre for Brian and his family. accept it. This is who you are, what you are and this is how it’s going to be.’ “I sav bullshit to that. | say you keep fighting as long as you can, and you never give up. J say work with what vou’ve got and make the best out of things you can.” “But don't ever give up and roll over.” Apart from his physical injury, Bell’s biggest concern is finding a wheelchair-accessible home to live in on the North Shore. To help in that cause, his family and friends are throwing a 38th birthday party for Brian and inviting 600 or so of his closest friends. Called “For The Love of Brian,” the March 27 bash will include a silent auction fundraiser, music and food. “So many people are calling to help out any way they can thac it seems like it is the right ching co do,” said Brian’s younger brother Jonathan. “The money raised will support Brian and his family as they adap: +» the challenges to allow Brian to maintain his independence.” Tickets are $20 per petson, and donations of goods and services for the auction can be made by calling 985-1362. Brian knows full well that the challenges are just starting, but this North Shore son is ready to, take them on. “I five by the words that nothing is impossi- ble,” he said. Ferry fracas at Bowen meeting Robert Galster News Reporter robert@usnews.comt BOWEN Island RCMP are investigating a scuffle berween one of the island’s elected represen- tatives and a resident. The incident occurred arter 3 group of about 70 residents gathered to attend a planned closed door meeting between various groups inchiding BC Ferries and Bowen Island's three elected representatives. According to Bowen Ishind resident Richard Goth, who wit- nessed the melee, the group had gathered at the proposed sire of the meeting because they were concerned about the lack of information their representatives were sharing with the electorate. “Je was not a mob. It was not a riot,” said Goth. After the group arrived, they were told the meeting venue had been changed. They were also told, said Goth, that they need not fear the decisions made during the mect- ing because Bert Paul, a member of BC Ferrics watchdog group Ferry CURE would be attend- ing. When Paul also arrived at the wrong location a short time later, the group became restless and made its way to the new location. Goth said the first person to enter the meeting site was Bowen Island resident Tony Soragnese. “(Bowen Island’s Greater Vancouver Regional District rep- resentative) Richard Littlemore appeared and said this is a private meeting and bodychecked him (Soragnese) on to the pave- ment,” said Goth. “At this point the crowd became quite boister- ous, He (Littlemore) was out like a buil out of a chute. It was just See Bowen page 5 The 100 block of Ease l4th Street is the only metered street ia North Vancouver City. The districts of North Vancouver and West Vancouver have no metered parking. parking meters John McPherson has had his insurance agency on East 14th Street for 48 vears. He agrees with the use of meters but only if they are distributed fairly across North Vancouver. “This street is a double whammy, It was the only one-way street in North Vancouver City and now it’s the only metered street,” said MePherson, who has last some walk-in clientele because of the meters. , Most business owners on East Ith Street say the meters have hurt their business. “There are people that would shop here but they're going to Westview and Lynn Valley mall where there’s no charge tor parking,” said North Shore Meats owner Mel Pearce. The meters cost 25 cents for a minimum of 30 min- utes and $1] for a maximum of two hours. They are in effect seven days a week trom 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Merchants on East 14th Street sav many of their cus- tomers complain about having to pay for a minimum of 30 minutes because many of them do their business in under 13 minutes. A number of merchants say enforcement is too strict and some have argued with bylaw officers tor their customers. “Customers come into the store and try to get change. While they’re doing that they get a ticket,” said Mary Trentaduc, owner of 32 Books. , Trentadue bought out the owners of North Shore Books, who she says couldn't cope with the loss of business. , But Steward said he could not comment on fost business ro merchants in the 100 block of East 14th Street because it could be related to other factors. Since the police station went in we have seen our business go down litte bv little,” satd Park ~ She estimated that she has lost about 50 customers per day sume chonges to the street have taken place. “Tratfic used to flow in two directions on East 14th Street and parking was free for a maximum of ong hour. “Before the meters cane in there were no complaints about parking. The city hall just wants to make money,” said Mojan Hair Design owner Masoud Nejati. But Jan Steward, North Vancouver City property val- uaror and negotiator, said the meters are not Meant 10 generate revenue for the city. Their purpose is to get rid of people who park in the area for fong periods of tims. ; ; ; The meters were installed in November 1997 for a six-month trial period. Council voted to extend the trial period in April 1997, ; . ; The move is part of the Greater Vancouver Regional District’s Transport 2021 plan to dis- courage downtown, long-term street parking. The plan has proposed installing parking meters in selected areas of the city. The decision to keep or remove the meters will be made in March when a report on the meters will come before council. rr he ar ra irene Deyuns Mh AIIM Stay Hat te Ht Faye NEWS photo Mike Wakefield JU Young Park says parking meters outside her Bun King Bakery in the 100-block of East 14th Street have hurt business.