Gordon gets new set of wheels

By Monique DuBray

NORTH BAY – Gordon Mianscum has another new set of wheels.
A brand new gurney, equipped with a shiny leather bed and 24-inch rubber tires was presented in April to the Canadore College graduate, for whom fund-raising efforts provided a new van in 2011.
“Wow – there’s a lot of people to thank – everyone who fundraised and made donations when they didn’t have to do anything,” said the 51-year-old after the presentation in the college’s First Peoples Centre.
Accompanied by his wife and son, Mianscum, from the James Bay Cree community of Oujé-Bougoumou, was all smiles as he accepted the gurney. He has been restricted to a wheelchair bed due to paraplegia that was caused by a car accident 37 years ago. Lying face down, he relies on his arms to wheel himself around the city.
“I prefer a gurney that I can push myself, and not a battery operated one,” he says. “ One time, I almost didn’t make it home because the battery almost died. Plus this one keeps me in shape!”
Canadore students and professors, North Bay-Nipissing Rotary Club, Union of Ontario Indians and Anishinabek Nation Seven Generations Charity helped raise the $8,500 cost of the custom-made gurney.
Canadore recruiting officer Gerard Peltier first noticed Mianscum wheeling around town and the college campus a few years ago. When he found out that the business administration student had to make a seven-kilometre trip home, he started his fund-raising efforts.
“I don’t know that I’ve ever met anyone with such a positive approach to life,” said Peltier. “The way Gordon takes any situation in stride has been a great lesson to me and to others.”
Peltier was also the backbone of a project that started four years ago to provide Gordon with a customized van to transport himself and his gurney to places too far for him to wheel. Peltier organized a benefit performance featuring comedian Don Burnstick which raised $9,000, and created a YouTube video that showed Mianscum dealing with his daily challenges. That brought in $5,000, and by that time other organizations were on board to help raise the remaining funds to purchase a $30,000 minivan.
Mianscum loves having the van for travelling long distances, such as visiting his family in Ouje-bougoumou, Quebec. But when it comes transporting himself around town, he prefers using his gurney.
“I enjoy being outside as much as I can and being with nature. I like going to the waterfront, and getting a lot of fresh air,” he says.
The new wheelchair bed for Mianscum benefits more than just himself.
“I’m just happy it’s lighter!” says wife Nancy.
With his business diploma in hand, Mianscum plans on opening a Native-themed coffee and craft shop in North Bay, selling everything from bannock to moccasins.
“At first, I wanted just a craft shop to sell my work,” he says.” But than I wanted a mix. I just want a place where people can come in, relax and enjoy each other’s company.”