Clayton Theriault was born to be a Toronto Maple Leafs fan.

His parents are fans, so cheering for the team became a normal everyday activity. In his lifetime thus far, the Leafs haven’t generated much success, but even with the departure of Kyle Dubas, he remains optimistic.

Clayton certainly has a knack for being resilient.

Not only as a die-hard hockey fan, but as a disabled person navigating the challenges of a world largely designed for and by able-bodied people.

Clayton lives with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a genetic disorder that alters the protein called dystrophin, which helps to keep muscle cells intact. This disorder leads to progressive muscular degeneration and weakness.

He uses a power wheelchair to get around and a wheelchair-accessible van to travel longer distances.

However, this hasn’t stopped Clayton from engaging in hockey as both a fan and an athlete.

Over The Glass Podcast sat down with Clayton to discuss his thoughts on the state of the Leafs, Power Wheelchair Hockey, accessibility at hockey arenas, and why he’s started a GoFundMe to purchase a wheelchair-accessible van.

*This conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

Clayton: My name's Clayton Theriault. I'm 30 years old. I've got a disability called Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

About as long as I can remember, I've been a Leafs fan because my parents were Leafs fans. Unfortunately, they haven't really experienced much success in my lifetime, but that's okay. Hockey is pretty much a paramount thing in my life. It's always been there.

I played what's called Power Wheelchair Hockey for several years when I was 15 until I was about 18. It’s been a constant theme in my life and hockey has always been there for me.

Nessa: Can you describe what power chair hockey is like?

Clayton: I'm in a power chair. All the athletes in power hockey are in power chairs.

Basically, you drive with one hand and you have your stick in the other hand. You use a wiffle ball and the rules are pretty much the same as ice hockey. It's very similar.

It's 5-on-5 with a goalie. There are penalties like charging, high sticking, and obviously not tripping because we're all on wheels, but charging is very common. The chairs go quite fast. And if you run into somebody, they call it charging. When I played, that's what the rules were.

Nessa: What’s your experience like going to hockey games as a wheelchair user?

Clayton: Honestly, very good. I'm sure you're aware, because the Leafs are such a big market, tickets are not cheap, but the wheelchair seats at Scotiabank Arena are fantastic. I've also been to a Senators game. They're great with accessibility.

In grade 12, when I was in high school, we did a history trip to Boston, and I saw a Bruins game. They were great seats as well.

And I've seen the Coyotes in Glendale Arena, before it was called Gila River Arena.

The entire 200 section was wheelchair accessible and had wheelchair seats, which is the most I've ever seen in an NHL building. And then last, but not least, I went to a Sabres pre-season game against the Leafs. And the seats were great as well. It's been nothing, but positive memories for me with hockey.

Jey: It goes without saying that we could talk for hours and we wouldn’t come anywhere close to understanding what a day in your life is like, and the obstacles that you face, not just without a workable van, but in general. Can you give us a deeper understanding of where your situation is with insurance?

Clayton: I've got a friend named John, and he gets his stuff covered because he's a quadriplegic, but he can drive. He's got hand controls in his van. That's covered, but because my parents drive me, and I can't get my license, it's technically not mine.

Like, it should be, and it's unacceptable that it's not considered essential because like I said, a medical appointment, it shouldn't take me three hours to get to a medical appointment.

An able bodied person can get in their car, drive, and be there in 20 minutes. Whereas it would take me several hours without a van. But in terms of the insurance, because I don't drive it, the funding is a little bit complicated.

Other things like my wheelchair, because the wheelchair is for me, every five years, if your chair needs replacing the government covers it. As I said, it should be considered essential.

A lot of these decisions by insurance companies and our governments are made by people who have never been disabled nor do they know, like you said, we could talk for hours and I only know what I go through. They can empathize with it and they can have sympathy for me, but to walk a mile in someone's shoes is definitely the kicker there.

Nessa: Can you talk to us about how you think society can do better with accessibility in Canada and if you've traveled to any other countries?

Clayton: I'll give an example of something that's happened several times to me.

If a little kid approaches me and they start asking me questions, the parents are like, “No, don't,” and honestly, ask all the questions you want, and as long as it's not a rude question, most disabled people will talk to you.

Believe it or not, we are human beings. Just talk to us and raise awareness.

Please check out Clayton’s GoFundMe for his wheelchair van, share the link, and donate (if you can).

The full conversation with Clayton can be found on The Over The Glass Hockey Podcast.