B.C. woman turns debilitating accident into opportunity for empowerment

Adam finds out how a BC woman has turned a debilitating accident into an opportunity to empower herself and others.

VANCOUVER, B.C. — While Molly the dog can do all sorts of tricks, Jessica Kruger is most appreciative of her pup’s personality.

“I feel like she has the stubbornness I have,” Jessica smiles after her dog shakes a paw and stands on her hind legs.

Jessica was certainly stubborn when, after falling two storeys during a workplace accident, she dismissed her doctor’s diagnosis that she was quadriplegic.

“I’m going to fight. I’m going to figure out a way,” Jessica recalls thinking to herself. “I’m going to be able to walk again.”

You see, Jessica had always been active and played all sorts of athletics in school.

“That was a huge part of my identity,” Jessica says. “I need a sport.”

That’s when Jessica was introduced to wheelchair rugby, a full contact sport.

“Those chairs are built to smash into each other,” Jessica smiles. “I think there was some sort of release in that for me.”

It turns out Jessica had been repressing a lot of feelings surrounding the accident before she found the courage to enter therapy.

“It made me able to be honest with the people around me,” Jessica says. “Which made me feel less alone.”

Jessica was also empowered to stop hoping for the way things were and start making the most of how things are.

“It’s that internal think within you that gets to decide what you’re capable of,” Jessica says.

For Jessica, that’s earning a place on the provincial wheelchair rugby team and working to educate and empower others.

“There are so many ways to do things differently,” Jessica smiles. “I want people to stop underestimating me and people like me.”

Along the way, Jessica also launched her own business, worked as a model, and married the love of her life.

Perhaps best of all, rather than regard her accident with regret, Jessica has realized she couldn’t be more grateful for its gifts.

“I like the person I’ve become because of the challenges I’ve faced,” Jessica smiles. “All the things I love in my life are because of the accident.”