Thoughts Along the Path . . .

By the time this appears in the newspaper, Canada Day will be long past. Fortunately memories linger so that I can now reflect on the annual event to honour Canada and to share my gratitude for being here.

To start with the obvious: It was lots of fun to go to Cowan Park, enjoy the music, see children at play, eat the food, visit with friends, chat with strangers, and enjoy the spectacle of the fireworks.

I also find myself thinking about Canada Day itself and what it means. I am an immigrant, having arrived in 1994 and eventually moving to Ayr in 2001. No longer a newcomer, I still frequently pause to think about how fortunate I am to be here. Those thoughts then inspire me to seek ways to give back to the country and community in which I live.

Remembering Canada Day also leads me to thinking about Canada’s history and its people. Concentrating on some of its heroes. I could list several well-known names. Rather than doing that though, I am going to focus on one in particular, someone uniquely Canadian and universally admired. Perhaps you have already guessed that I’m talking about Terry Fox.

With the annal Terry Fox Run/Walk just a few weeks away, I remember first learning about him during my drive across Canada in 1994 en route to Ontario. I saw a statue honouring him In Winnipeg, the city of his birth. His story was almost beyond imagining. Young man, talented athlete, cancer, amputation, attempting to run across Canada to raise funds and awareness for cancer research. Who is this person? How did he muster the will and resources to do such a thing?

A few weeks later I was in Thunder Bay and again encountered a statue and visitor centre for Terry Fox. I read more of his story including learning that this was where his run had ended. I pictured in my mind a young man, running across this huge country, and collapsing there. I tried to visualize the unfathomable stamina he showed. Once again, I was inspired as well as curious.

And then last year I was in St. John’s, Newfoundland and visited the park where he had begun his run. By then I was also a volunteer for the local Terry Fox event and had formed a team for the September walk/run. I also wrote a few articles for the Ayr News, much as I am now: reflecting on the Terry Fox story, saluting his legacy, and reminding others to consider supporting it if they aren’t already.

What is a hero? Among the many quotations I found defining a hero, one of my favourites is from actor/equestrian Christopher Reeves, who faced his own debilitating spinal cord injury and paralysis with courage and grace: “A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.” Maybe this explains how and why Terry Fox did what he did. Throughout his life he lived bravely, strongly, generously, fiercely even. He didn’t let cancer, amputation, and anguishing pain stop him from being true to himself.

I don’t know when I first participated in one of the annual walk/run events, though I remember donating money while John and I were still living in Aberfoyle. Such a simple thing to do – make a donation - and in doing so I could help make this event the world’s largest one-day fundraiser for cancer research. Money raised, people walking, running or wheeling. Encouraging others, thinking our thoughts as we go through the day. Everyone has their reasons for being there, no one is without a personal connection to cancer, to Terry Fox, to people uplifting each other and being bonded through hardship.

This quotation from the Baha’i writings perhaps adds another dimension to this story: “Whatever decreaseth fear increaseth courage.” Terry Fox knew, and ably demonstrated, that taking action is the key to overcoming fear and pain.

For more information including how to form or join a team, how to register on your own, how to donate, or other details please visit the website https://run.terryfox.ca/55807 or check other social media.

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Submitted to Ayr News by Jaellayna Palmer July 2025