Gaffe, Sharon

Sharon Jaffee - A friend of a friend that just wanted to be part of it.  
Materials and labor were donated by me and several local merchants and manufacturers right here in Tacoma.  Every single bit of it.  

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Chair Affair Artist

Sharon Jaffee - A friend of a friend that just wanted to be part of it.  
Materials and labor were donated by me and several local merchants and manufacturers right here in Tacoma.  Every single bit of it.  

Free Spirit Wheels

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This wheelchair was donated by Doug Taylor, resident of Gig Harbor, Washington.   It is one of the many chairs Doug has owned in the 32 years since becoming a Quadriplegic. 

In his 32 years moving in a wheelchair, Doug has achieved much and reached physical goals most of us don’t even have the courage to attempt.   He built a custom bicycle by which he powers himself using his arms only.  He completed the Courage Classic Bicycle Ride three times.   This is a three-day ride, over three mountain passes, raising money for Mary Bridge Hospital’s Child Abuse Intervention Center.   He attempted twice and almost hit the summit of the Tour D’Blast Ride - riding to the top of Mt. St. Helen in one afternoon.  He “rides” in the Meals to Wheels fundraiser for the YMCA, and he sponsors and donates to a myriad of other community efforts here in Tacoma and Gig Harbor.  He averages 40-50 mile rides daily while training.  And in-between he swims, works out at the YMCA, both at Gig Harbor and Morgan branches, and inspires all who know him.

I hope this chair, whose history belongs to Doug Taylor, will encourage someone else to look at the “brighter side” of his or her situation, and find the joy in life that is deserved.