Paul Vienneau thankful for new wheelchair after brutal winter

A Halifax photographer who helped clear snow and ice from sidewalks this past winter now has a brand new wheelchair.

Paul Vienneau said he picked up the customized wheelchair last Friday.

"[My] old chair was a demo model that we got off the shelf and [the new chair] was actually measured specifically for my body and the way I bend," said Vienneau.

"What it feels like is having the lower part of my body cut off and grafted on with someone else's really awesome legs that work super well."

Vienneaugained attentionand affectionally became known as the "asshole with the shovel"after people saw him chipping away at the ice this past winter,but his old wheelchair took a beating.

A crowdfunding page set up by Halifax journalistJack Scrineraised the $7000needed to buy the new wheelchair.

"It's like a tangible expression of people's kindness over the winter," Vienneau said.

Now Vienneausaid he wants to pay it forward. In August, he intends to hold a fundraiser for students with disabilities in the arts.

He said he is keeping his old wheelchair and intends to use it for shoveling around Halifax next winter.