A local film maker is shining the spotlight on a support group for wheelchair-bound residents of the Okanagan.

Chelsea McEvoy made a short documentary on the Facebook group Accessible Okanagan, which bills itself as a "A place to post wheelchair friendly activities, sports and events in the Okanagan Valley."

The group started with two members, James Hektner and Anand Kannan and grew to over 200 members within the last five years. 

The group is more than a peer support group, it acts as a complete family unit said McEvoy. 

"They do everything together from sports, to BBQ’s, to parties. They have changed my perspective on people in wheelchairs and are the most encouraging, fun and inspiring group I have ever met."

Her most recent video is on a trip the group took to Whistler, a dream group coordinator James Hektner had more than a year ago.

"After a year of hard work and fundraising, over 30 people in wheelchairs went to Whistler, this August, to go bungee jumping, zip lining and experience the peek to peek gondola."

"It truly was an amazing experience." 

McEvoy discovered the group when a close friend of hers was paralyzed following a car crash. 

"He did not want anything to do with anybody in a wheelchair until [group founder] James Hektner approached him on the street," she said. "My friend has now gained independence, confidence and has his life back. I saw such a transformation in my friend and started attending accessible Okanagan events and in doing so, I was so inspired I started documenting the group."

McEvoy's first video was a 45-minute documentary called A Guide to Spinal Cord Injury. It is now a resource for Okanagan College nursing students. 

"This Whistler trip was not only important for the peers but more important for the public," said McEvoy. "To show able bodied people that individuals in wheelchairs are strong and independent and to show someone who has a spinal cord injury that there is a support system out there full of incredibly happy fun loving people."