For most people, quadding and snowmobiling are a way to get out in nature, have fun with friends and family and enjoy the adventure. For a young boy near Arborfield, Saskatchewan, these sports gave him the freedom to enjoy life and be able to spend time with other children. Marlin Kapeller was born two months premature and had physical challenges which made him unable to walk on his own. On May 15, 2013, Marlin passed away after an accident on his quad. He was just 13 years old.
Marlin, although unable to walk independently, found his freedom riding sleds and quads. His mother and father, according to neighbour and friend Al Bronner, never gave up on their son and always encouraged the young man to thrive in the world. Marlin's father was a member of the Pasquia Snow Goers club in the Arborfield/Carrot River area and encouraged his son to ride. Marlin was never left behind. About two years ago he was finally able to ride all on his own and began to enjoy riding with his friends and to ride to and from his grandparents house nearby.
Losing him was an extremely tough time for not only the family but the entire community. To honour the memory of Marlin, Bronner and many others decided to construct a warm-up shelter near Arborfield.
"Like everyone else, we wanted to do something to help out," said Bronner. "We talked to the club's president Dwight Thesen, and since Marlin's dad had always been very active with the club, thought there must be something we can do for the family. At his funeral, the main message from his parents was that they didn't want people to forget about Marlin. That's where the idea for the shelter stemmed from."
A legacy for Marlin
The shelter was moved into place three days before Christmas 2013. It is located about eight miles east and two miles south of Arborfield. Local businesses supported the project and many friends and neighbours donated money as well as many hours of volunteer labor.
The 12 foot by 16 foot warm-up shelter includes a six-foot covered front deck, a cathedral ceiling and many windows. A local cabinet maker built a sign that says, Marlin's Place. A plaque has also been placed inside, written by the club secretary with the help of Marlin's parents.
"Riding his snowmobile really gave Marlin his freedom," said Bronner. "His parents did a phenomenal job with Marlin. They always took him along on their snowmobiles, never left him behind. When he was old enough, one or two years ago, they bought him his own toboggan so he could ride with everyone else. Even though he had to use a walker and a wheelchair, his parents always treated him like a normal kid. That's what Marlin wanted, to be treated like everyone else."
To Bronner, the warm-up shelter means a lot. He hopes this shelter, dedicated to Marlin, will encourage other kids with challenges to not give up and to get out and ride like Marlin was able to do. Like the plaque in the warm-up shelter says: "Our hope is that Marlin’s legacy continues to shine, inspiring others faced with physical disabilities to persevere, find joy, and use life’s challenges as an opportunity to grow and evolve on this journey."
