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NEWS RELEASE — June 6, 2008
Ambassador calls for your help
Vancouver, June 6, 2008 - "I try everything that comes my way, now. If I fail, it doesn't matter… although I discovered I haven't failed at anything. I am proud of my accomplishments as someone in a chair."
A funky, bright, articulate and positive woman, Teri Thorson's energy is infectious. Now in her mid-30's, she was injured 10 years ago in a motor vehicle accident while on holiday in a remote area of west Australia. Emergency crews took almost nine hours to find and take her to an acute/rehab hospital in Perth. She spent the next three weeks in and out of consciousness, emerging to learn that her neck had dislocated, incurring a C6-7 complete injury. Her arms work well, but she has no body movement, or any grip in her hands. Six weeks wearing a weighted halo brace followed, its screws digging into her skull for stability, before she was put into a rigid vest that enabled her to sit up. For two months, her 'very close' family took turns visiting Australia. She then returned to Canada, to nine months at GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre, working to recover strength in her arms.
Teri eventually returned to her work as a technician for a software company, but her life as a part time professional dancer was done. When her marriage ended, she moved in with her parents and learned to drive a car. As her independence returned, she moved into a place of her own, thinking she could resume her busy social and work schedule, but when she developed pneumonia after becoming run down, realized that she couldn't continue her fast-paced life.
She left her job, volunteered for GF Strong and found a job with BC Rehab, doing PR, media & planning special events to support fundraising activities. Then, she discovered her passion for wheelchair racing, after trying kayaking, skiing and rugby. In 2002, she moved to Australia, to focus on training to qualify for the Paralympic Games in Athens in 2004, at which she was a finalist in the 400m race. A subsequent wrist injury has dashed her hopes of competing in Beijing in 2008, but she intends to return to the sport.
Her volunteer work continues as an Ambassador for the Rick Hansen Foundation, supporting the Wheels In Motion event in Victoria. She is particularly interested in helping to improve the quality of daily life for people with spinal cord injury, by sharing her experience with others.
"I'm a totally different person since my accident," explains Teri. "I love life, and try to live in the moment, not take it for granted. I used to live in a pretty superficial world that was all about image. Now I can talk to absolutely anybody. I have something to learn from every person that comes into my life." Teri encourages runners for the 2008 Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5k to run in support of the Rick Hansen Foundation, one of ten charities that runners can support.
"We are thrilled to be a charity of choice in the Scotiabank Group Charity Challenge for the second year in a row," said Karen O'Neill, Chief Operating Officer at the Rick Hansen Foundation. "Those running, walking or wheeling to raise funds for the Rick Hansen Foundation will support the BC Wheelchair Sports Association's Bridging the Gap – Getting Physically Active program helping to improve the quality of life of people with spinal cord injury, helping them to reintegrate into the community and regain their motivation, inspiration, independence and confidence through sport and recreation."
In its nine year history, the SVHM has raised $746,000 for health-care related charities. In an exciting development to celebrate the event's tenth anniversary the SVHM has expanded the Scotiabank Group Charity Challenge to ten charities. Increasing the scope of this unique fundraising and awareness opportunity will boost event participation and fundraising dollars to support the following charities whose programs and services assist hundreds of thousands of clients across the province each year:
- The Alzheimer's Society of B.C.
- The Arthritis Society, B.C. & Yukon Division
- BC Children's Hospital Foundation
- Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver
- Big Sisters of B.C. Lower Mainland
- CKNW Orphan's Fund
- The Heart and Stroke Foundation of B.C. & Yukon
- The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada
- Rick Hansen Foundation
- VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation
"We're proud of what we've been able to give back to the community over the past nine years," said Rob Wilkins, Scotiabank's Vice-President, Downtown Vancouver and Northern B.C. District. "To continue this great legacy, and to support our charitable partners, Scotiabank will offer reduced entry fees for all runners and walkers who fundraise for one of the ten charities."
The Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5k is part of the prestigious Canada Running Series. As one of Vancouver's premier running events, the SVHM attracts more than 4,500 runners and walkers of all levels, including many elite athletes and visitors to the city.
Scotiabank is one of North America's premier financial institutions and Canada's most international bank. In 2007 the Bank provided more than $43 million in sponsorships and donations to a variety of projects and initiatives, primarily in the areas of healthcare, education, social services and arts and culture. To learn more about how Scotiabank supports the communities where its employees live and work please visit www.scotiabank.com.
On-line registration closes June 17, 2008. To register or to donate to one of the ten charitable recipients, please visit www.vancouverhalf.com.
To donate to the Rick Hansen Foundation, please visit their fundraising page at www.canadarunningseries.com/svhm/charity/rickhansen.htm.
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For more information please contact:
Alison Eagles, Charity Challenge Coordinator, Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5K, (778) 847-2706, Alison@canadarunningseries.com