# How Healing People and Healing Spaces Unlock New Purpose | Dave Jonsson | TEDxWest Vancouver Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjTTNzCTy7c Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/VjTTNzCTy7c Generated: 2026-02-02T16:33:19.52+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview Dave Jonsson recounts surviving a plane crash in 2015 and subsequently founding a non-profit organization, Skate Under Cover, dedicated to creating safe, indoor skate parks and community hubs, ultimately demonstrating that perceived brokenness can forge strength and purpose. **Key Points:** - Jonsson survived a plane crash on a flight from Kelowna to Squamish, BC, 11 years prior (11:11), where the plane stalled and crashed, leaving him unconscious for 20 minutes (1:58). - His friend Elliot rescued Leah (who suffered a broken wrist) from the wreckage while Jonsson sustained a shattered leg and a broken face (2:06, 2:54). - The speaker founded a non-profit called 'Skate Under Cover' (6:53) to build indoor skate parks because existing outdoor spaces were inaccessible during rainy weather (5:52, 6:46). - The organization has raised $1.4 million through advocacy work restoring old skate parks and adding new additions (7:26). - Jonsson emphasizes that perceived brokenness (like his injuries or addiction struggles) is actually the source of strength and purpose (10:03, 10:07). - He shares an anecdote where a local official, upon hearing about the community need, told him to 'shut up' and give his talk now, highlighting the urgency of the mission (12:02, 11:57). - The non-profit has successfully created community hubs, including an indoor skate park and an outdoor sauna/ice bath patio at an 82-year-old pub in Port Moody (8:24, 8:29). ![Screenshot at 00:02: A stunning long-exposure shot of a lighthouse on a rocky coast at sunset, used as the opening visual for the TEDx West Vancouver event, setting a dramatic and reflective tone.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/VjTTNzCTy7c/00-00-02.jpg) **Context:** Dave Jonsson delivers a TEDx talk about how surviving a traumatic plane crash transformed his perspective on brokenness, leading him to create a community-focused non-profit organization. The talk centers on leveraging personal struggle and community support to build positive spaces, specifically indoor skate parks, for youth who might otherwise feel marginalized or lack safe places to practice their passion. ## Detailed Analysis Dave Jonsson recounts a pivotal event 11 years prior to the talk: surviving a plane crash on a flight to Squamish, British Columbia, where the plane stalled and crashed into a valley (1:13). During the crash, his friend Elliot rescued Leah, who had a broken wrist, while Jonsson suffered a shattered leg and a broken face, remaining unconscious for 20 minutes (1:58, 2:54). This near-death experience profoundly shifted his outlook, causing him to realize that things perceived as broken do not necessarily need to be thrown away; they can be viewed from a different vantage point to see their potential (0:13, 0:45). Following this, Jonsson recognized a lack of safe, accessible spaces for kids to skate, especially during the rainy season in BC (5:52, 6:46). He founded the non-profit 'Skate Under Cover' (6:53), which has since raised $1.4 million through advocacy work to restore old skate parks and create new ones, including beautiful murals reflecting local spirit (7:26, 8:43). He emphasizes that his own brokenness became his strength and purpose, allowing him to inspire others (10:03, 12:58). He concludes by inviting the audience to see how their own past struggles can be leveraged to help others find their purpose and rise out of their own 'valley of ashes' (10:19, 13:03). ### The Plane Crash & Aftermath - Crash occurred 11 years prior on a flight to Squamish, BC (1:11) - Jonsson suffered a shattered leg and broken face, was unconscious for 20 minutes (1:58) - Friend Elliot rescued Leah, who broke her wrist (2:06) ### The Vision for Skate Under Cover - Realized that broken things can be seen from a different vantage point (0:45) - Founded non-profit to create indoor skate parks for year-round use, especially during rain (5:52, 6:53) - Raised $1.4 million to restore parks and create new art/community hubs like a sauna patio (7:26, 8:29) ### The Power of Brokenness - Personal brokenness (addiction, injury) becomes strength and purpose (10:03, 12:58) - The core message is that the thing that hurt you can help you heal others (10:11) ### Community Response - Local leaders initially dismissed the idea of building indoor facilities (6:47) - An 82-year-old publican ultimately supported the vision (8:06) ![Screenshot at 00:04: The opening scenic shot of a lighthouse against a sunset, introducing the TEDx West Vancouver event theme.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/VjTTNzCTy7c/00-00-04.jpg) ![Screenshot at 00:10: Speaker Dave Jonsson standing on the red circle stage with a skateboard beside him, beginning his presentation.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/VjTTNzCTy7c/00-00-10.jpg) ![Screenshot at 02:27: Jonsson gesturing emotionally while recounting the plane crash incident, emphasizing the severity of the event.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/VjTTNzCTy7c/00-02-27.jpg) ![Screenshot at 08:25: A visual slide showing the interior of the established indoor skate park, demonstrating the successful outcome of the community building initiative.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/VjTTNzCTy7c/00-08-25.jpg) ![Screenshot at 08:43: A visual slide showcasing an 80-foot mural featuring local wildlife \(orca, bear, eagle\) painted on the exterior of the community hub.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/VjTTNzCTy7c/00-08-43.jpg)