A pair of Shuswap Nation brothers are going through UBC Okanagan鈥檚 nursing program together, thanks to some sibling inspiration.
Adrian Van de Mosselaer played professional hockey in the American Hockey League with the Ontario Reign, a team affiliated with the NHL鈥檚 L.A. Kings.
When his professional hockey career wrapped up in 2014, he didn鈥檛 quite know where to go next. For years, he had been thinking of going back to school, checking in every year with UBCO鈥檚 Aboriginal Programs and Services staff but never actually registered for classes.
For Christmas 2019, his younger brother Quinn gifted him with some textbooks so he could upgrade his high school qualifications and set him towards going to Okanagan College for some courses.
Quinn鈥檚 gift was the right push Adrian needed.
鈥淚 would always question myself but I hit a tipping point when my brother bought me the books and said, 鈥楾hat鈥檚 it, time to go to school,鈥欌�� he said.
鈥淚 never thought I鈥檇 be relying on him to stand up and do that.鈥�
Adrian got into his studies fully to show his little brother he could do it and thank Quinn for believing in him.
Now, the brothers are in their first year of UBCO鈥檚 nursing program.
鈥淚 know my brother pretty well; I know he was procrastinating. I knew if I bought him the books, it would push him to do it,鈥� Quinn said.
鈥淎nd once he puts his mind to something, he can do it.鈥�
Now, the Shuswap Nation brothers live in 91大黄鸭, taking part in clinical sessions at 91大黄鸭 General Hospital as part of their program.
Adrian says playing hockey sparked his interest in health and healing.
鈥淲hen guys got hurt, I was curious about what was happening in the training room. I was curious about how they got put back together,鈥� he said.
He says now that his advice for others thinking of switching careers or going back to school is to be patient with themselves.
鈥淒on鈥檛 hold yourself to any thoughts of not being capable,鈥� he said.
鈥淵ou have to let go of who you think you are and the limits on what you think you can do.鈥�
READ MORE: Tricycle for Phil: Support pours in for 91大黄鸭 man with traumatic brain injury
twila.amato@blackpress.ca
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