Born and raised in Victoria, I feel so fortunate to call this magical coast my home. Studying in Toronto gave me a new appreciation for the surrounding beauty and accessible nature Victoria provides. I realized many years ago that nature is my sanctuary, my comfort zone. My treasured memories of traveling through Europe are not of castles and museums, but of hiking under the Matterhorn and renting a rowboat in a Paris park. I am lucky to have found my partner Jon who also craves the outdoors as I do. We spend our free time together out in our kayaks, exploring local trails or dreaming up plans for our next long weekend.

Working as a Physiotherapist has enabled me to combine volunteering and travel, enriching my experiences and allowing me to interact with local people. I began 2007 with a month volunteering at PROJIMO, a rehabilitation project in rural Mexico run by individuals living with disabilities. I am still in communication with families I met while volunteering with Equip Kids International in Cusco, Peru.

I am moved and inspired by those who choose to see the positive, to overcome barriers and to say "I can". Pippa embodies these traits and I am honoured to have the opportunity to join her in Nepal. I met Pippa two and a half years ago when I started working as a Physiotherapist at the MS Society. We began physical fitness preparation for the expedition in March. What a joy to work with a client who pumps her fist and says "this is great...so good for me...I will do this" after every new exercise I suggest!

After spotting the Standing Spirit Project including Brad Jacobsen in a TrailRider on the West Coast Trail in 2005, I excitedly spread the news around the MS Society that this kind of adventure was possible for anyone. I can hardly believe that I will now be part of a similar expedition. It’s going to be an amazing journey!