Tyler McGregor’s Skate of Hope

 Hello everyone,

For Today’s blog, I wanted to update you on a very inspiring event that happened in our community. Last Monday, an amazing young man, Tyler McGregor sledge skated around our stunning, Guinness World Record winning, Lake Windermere Whiteway.  

Tyler, born in Ontario, was 16 years old when he was diagnosed with cancer(The Globe and Mail, 2022).   As a youth, Tyler loved hockey, and after having his leg amputated because of his disease, he not only got back into the sport, he became a Sledge Hockey Paralympian(The Globe and Mail, 2022)! 

It turns out that Tyer and I have the same hero; Terry Fox, who had  a similar type of cancer that Tyler had. While going through his own trials and tribulations, Tyler often looked to Terry Fox for inspiration, and, this year,  as a survivor, he wanted to pay tribute to The Terry Fox Foundation by skating his sled 42km in each province in Canada. And, for BC, he picked The Windermere Whiteway!  How’s that for advertising our town?! 

As I mentioned, like Tyler, Terry Fox was one of my biggest hero’s growing up! I also was was very moved when I first heard about Terry’s story. To me, Terry was as another person who has a kind of diverse abilities like I did. He was in an immense amount of pain when he decided to do his run, but he did it anyways, and he was a man who had a huge heart, and put himself before others. When I read about Tyler, I definitely got a feeling that he was inspired by those same qualities.  

I’ll never forget the first time I ran in a Terry Fox school  run. My aide and I were on crosswalk patrol, but I kept begging her to let me go on the run. She ended up walking with me during the last leg of it. Ever since then, I always dragged my family out with me to the  run every September; because if Terry could do it, then so could we.. 

        For Tyler’s special event in Invermere, my mom, my aunt, and her dog joined me down at the beach to cheer on Tyler. Tyler wanted to encourage people in the towns he went to to skate with him, as he went on his journey. Individuals, families, and school children came down to the beach to cheer him on. I loved seeing young children being excited about seeing Tyler and his medals. It was the perfect opportunity to encourage inclusion, and education about people who have diverse abilities. I always get excited when I get to see that.

I asked my mom if I could do a lap with him, but she said that he would be way too fast for me to keep up with. She was right! Most people had a tough keeping up, as he carved his sled across the lake. 

My favorite part of the event was watching Tyler skate with one of our RCMP officers. It was so powerful; a moment that represented unity, showing how proud our community was proud of Tyler, and that they whole heartedly supported his cause.

It was a special day that brought our community together, as many events in our wonderful valley do. I was so proud to witness the legacy of one of my biggest hero’s continuing. Tyler is the perfect example of someone who demonstrates how to pay it forward and never give up! Way to go, Tyler! Best of luck with the rest of your skate tours!  You make Canada, and Terry proud!


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