Athlete of the Week: 680 News

A couple of weeks ago, I did an interview with the 680 News morning sports anchor for their Athlete of the Week segment, after completing my first 5k for the Muscular Dystrophy Canada Walk and Roll as the Toronto Walk Champion.

It felt super exciting, and kind of wild - if there's one thing I never thought I'd be called, it's an athlete haha - but a fun way to mark one of the more athletic things I've done.

The day the interview aired on the radio, I got a Facebook comment from a woman that warmed my heart 🥹

"My husband heard you on the radio and called me right away - we have a daughter with [a form of muscular dystrophy] and it was so encouraging to hear all you have accomplished!"

Like I said, WARMED. MY. HEART.

When I was growing up, I struggled through elementary school gym class, was exempt from high school gym class and felt like the least athletic person ever.

But I also didn't know any examples of people doing athletic things, with physical/mobility disabilities (other than Terry Fox, who could run while I couldn't, and Paralympians, who were at a seemingly unattainable level).

And maybe if I'd been aware of more "regular" people who were doing athletic things with physical disabilities like my own, I would have seen it as a possibility for me too - like I hope that little girl and her family sees with me. 🙏🏽✊🏽💖