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"I just wish people would realize that anything is possible
if you try - dreams are made if people try."
With a dream in his own heart, Terry Fox told anyone who listened.
Fox had a simple dream. His dream was one that gave others courage
and inspiration.
Terry Fox was a courageous young Canadian athlete. He was
born as Terrence Stanley Fox in Winnipeg, Manitoba. This young
man's life was shattered in 1977 when his right leg was amputated
due to bone cancer. With this ordeal just beginning, Fox didn't
let himself feel down. Instead he got himself an artificial leg
and his dream started to form.
Already, signs of this young man's strong sense of determination
were beginning to show. Fox wanted something that only he could
get for himself. He wanted a cure for the deadly disease that
was haunting him. Amazingly, the unselfish man not only wanted
this cure for himself but for the all the other people in Canada
and the world who fall victim to cancer each year.
During his recovery from cancer, something inspired Fox to
run across Canada - from sea to sea - to raise publicity and
money for cancer. Within the first months of his training, he
already faced difficulties. But this courageous person was committed
to his dream. His strong inspiration helped him continue when
the world seemed to blacken before his eyes. After
sixteen months of hard work and dedication, Fox was prepared
to run.
A dream was beginning to come true. The Marathon of Hope began
on April 12, 1980 when Terry dipped his artificial leg into the
Atlantic Ocean and started his journey. Terry inspired thousands
of people. He not only gave hope to cancer victims but to all
others trying to cope with a life-threatening disease. Thousands
of people lined the streets and highways to cheer on a nation's
hero. Because of an encouraging nation's support, the Marathon
of Hope was successful.
On September 1, the ugly monster Fox was running from caught
up to him. Fox was forced to give up his run after learning that
cancer had spread to his lungs. Before it was too late, Canada
recognized this hero and awarded him the Order of Canada. We
can now only look back and be
thankful that Canada awarded Fox with the highest civilian award
before his death.
Terry Fox is a hero to many Canadians. He has opened the door
to thousands more. People trying to cope with this disease can
look back at the excellent example he set. If it were not for
Terry Fox, how can we be sure that cancer would have received
so much attention? An amazing amount of money was raised by this
individual and this gave researchers a big step towards finding
"the cure." Thought we may never have a cure for this
disease, Terry gave us the Hope that maybe someday our skies
will brighten and a cure will exist.
I was born the year that Terry Fox's life ended. I am very
thankful that I have the knowledge of this person. I think he's
a hero to our nation and we should all stop and remember him.
We need to celebrate this man's achievements and continue to
hold runs in his honour every year.
But I don't think we've done enough in return for what he
has given us. What is the most important "thing" to
Canada? Obviously, it's the people, for without them Canada would
not exist. With Terry's strong efforts, he tried to do something
for the people of Canada. He wanted to help us out even though
he was only clinging to his own life.
Have we given a thank-you back to Terry Fox? Yes, I think
so but not nearly enough. The leaders of this country need to
set a day aside to pay a special tribute to Terry Fox. I think
the day should not be the day he died because his purpose in
life was positive and we don't want to remember it on a negative
note. Let us celebrate on the day Terry's dream began. With a
dip into the ocean, a dream that seemed too dim to ever come
true, came to life. Though no longer here, let us never forget
Terry Fox. Let us help one another to keep his flame burning. |
