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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1987-05-27, Page 4PAGE 4...GODERICH S1GNAL-STAR, WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 1987 When Rick Hansen wheeled into Van- couver on the weekend to a wild and deserved welcome, his Man in Motion Tour had covered 34 countries and over 40,000 km. More than remarkable, what this Cana- dian has accomplished is simply phenomenal and staggering. There have been at�'hers before him, 'ferry Fox and Steve'onyo, and all have played an integral role in raising the public's awareness of people'1s abilities rather than their disabilities. It's easy now, to suggest that the whole scenario has been overdone to the point where the public is seemingly indifferent to each fund-raising and awareness quest. People with physical limitations have run, wheeled and cycled mostly to prove that people with disabilities are capable human beings. Most of us take' our physical DAVE SYKES capabilities for granted .and would have great difficulty empathizing with the disabled and their struggle. But certainly courageous people like Fox, Fonyo and Hansen wouldn't even anrrtemnlate their odysseys if they didn't feel the raging need to prove a point. And by now, the point should be in- delibly etched in our collective minds. We must come to believe m the potential of disabled people, of all people. The hurnan spirit is a powerful force and I am simply astounded that a man, regardless of physical capacity, could ac- complish what Hansen was able to over the past 26 months. Day after day he propped his tired and aching body into the wheelchair and pro- pelled himself along an endless ribbon of asphalt in pursuit of a dream. The low points were numerous and the obstacles formidable. He faced severe weather conditions, steep inclines, indifference, injuries to tendons and muscles, and physical and mental fatigue. Yet, like Fox and Fonyo, he persevered and through sheer"will.and deterrrunatron, he conquered. Hansen took hold of a dream and tura- ed it into reality. It became a passion because Hansen knew that what he would force himself to act cmplish would impact not only on himself, but on disabled peo- ple around the world. They would draw strength and inspiration from his selflessness. We all have daily struggles; problems that seem to magnify in stature because our perspective can get easily out of kilter. It's so easy to give up on things, to find a less difficult approach or to simply rely on others. Hansen could only accomplish what he set out to do, by himself. But, fueled by a dream and a passion to prove that being disabled is only a state of mind, he succeeded. Canadians embraced the efforts of peo- ple like Fox and Hansen for their courage and indomitable spirit. '\'hey hecame heroes in the true sense of the word; peo- ple you couldn't help but admire, people who exemplified what we would all like to become. They are leaders. They are people of conviction, people of spirit and people who do some_tthjrjg about a situation ather than idly sit by a.ld complain about the futility of their lot. I have great respect for these • gentleman and what they were able to achieve and Canadians should willingly embrace their efforts and claim them as heroes, people worth emulation. When Hansen landed in Newfoundland ,last August, his trust fund was sitting at a paltry $172,000. Since then Canadians have opened their hearts and poured over $11 million into the fund which will be us- ed for spinal cord medical research. What has Hansen has done speaks of man's ability tQ achieve what he thinks. Opinion THE NEWS PORT FOR GODERICH & DISTRICT SiN.CE 1848 GOedericIO2. S!,G.NALETAFL EST ALL POUND COMMUNITY NEWBPAPEP IN CANADA • 1neu1 • :I.r. 'S(1(! ,1001( r kk4le N�'K511uuY� Cir. {arvr,�rr="3d.1 P.0 '20 .HUCKII%IS ST. INDLDSTRIAL PARK ®ODERICH, ONT. N7A 486 PUBLISHED BY SIGNAL -STAR PUBLISHING LI.NIITE[ Founded In 1649 end publiohed every Wednesday at Oodorich, Ontario. Member of the CCNA i 1d OCNA. Bubacriptione payable In edvonce 829.00, (Senior Cltlaano 819.00 privilege card number r wired] In Cenede, 880.00 to U.B.A., 880.00 to all other countries, Bingle Copies BOC. Display, Notional and Clasnlfisd advertIoing rates available on request. Piece , eek for Pete Card No. 19 affeotbde October 1, 19915. Advortleing la accepted on the condition that in the event of c typographical error, the advertising apace occupied by the erroneous Item, together with the reamonable allowence for eignoture, will not be charged for but that balance of the edvertioement will bo paid for at the applicable rate. In the event of a typographical error advertising geode ar oervicea et a wrong price, goodo'or oorviceo may not be sold. Advortleing is merely en offer to Dell, end may be withdrawn et any time. Tho Bignel-Star is not ronponelble for the loco or damage 'of pneolicltod manuscripts, photos ar othermaterials used for reproducing purpooes. General Manager SHIRLEY J. KELLER 'Editor DAVE SYKES Advertising Manager DON HUBICK FOR BUSINESS OR EDITORIAL OFFICES...please phone (5191524-2614 Second class mail registration • number 0716 Member: +CNA CCNA/ Hansen an inspiration Terry Fox captured the imagination of Canadians and people around the world with his determ inatibn to fight the disease that had claimed his limb years earlier and would later claim his life. The young man, fnrced .to abandon his dream of running across Canada on one leg just halfway ,tt Is goal, heft Canadians with a rich legacy of hope. His determination, his in- domitable spirit lifted tl, ,ip]rits of all Canadians and, more importantly, showed everyone that disability can'o'e a state of mind. • , Fox pursued a dream and was an inspirational hero to people around the world. His in- defatigable efforts raised millions of dollars for cancer' research and raised awareness across the country. • Steve Fonyo followed with his courageous run again raising the public's awareness and burying the myth that disabilities limit a person's potential or abilities. This past weekend, twenty-six months after setting out from his home town of Vancouver, Canadian Rick Hansen triumphantly brought his Man in Motion tour, and a lifetime of dreams, home to a wild and deserved welcome in British Columbia. Thousands of Vancouverites waved banners, ribbons andballoons and gave Hansen a fit- ting welcome as he logged the final few kilometres of a 40,000 km. odyssey that took him around the world. ,What Rick Hansen and his May in Motion Tour achieved over the past 26 months is a phenomenal story of dedication,\ courage, spirit and sheer will. Hansen wheeled his wheelchair over 40,000 km. of what must seemed like an endless ribbon of black asphalt. The journey and the asphalt, ended in Vancouver as a nation, a'province and a city opened its hearts to another Canadian hero. ' In achieving his goal, Hansen accomplished what he, and those before him, have courageously set out tondo: to"prove that being disabled is'only a state of mind and to set an, exarnp e for other disabled people. WHansen has done Would be an accomplishment of great magnitude for any person, regardless of physical stature. What he accomplished in the past two years is a tribute both to the man and the human spirit that lies within, • , The Man in Motion Tour took Hansen through 34 countries throughout the world, and he was given access to areas in the MidElle East that others are forbidden to travel through. In a television interview, Hansen Aplained that .the tour took its toll physically and men- tally and demanded all the stamina he could summon. He wanted to give up several times when obstacles seemed to surface for no good reason. He endured, he persevered andwould not let go of the dream that had become his' life and passion. There was too much stake and Hansen would not lose face or credibility, fearing it would impact not only himself, but on the people around the world who found strength in his journey. Canadians should be congratulated for embracing Hansen and his effort for when he reached Canadian soil in Newfoundland last August, there was $172,000 in the fund. When he hit Vancouver thisweekend, the fund had grown to over $11 million which will be used for spinal cord medical research. Hansen has taught us a lot about not only the abilities of the disabled but the power of the human spirit in achieving hopes and dreams. He spoke of his accomplishment saying. "We've learned that disability need not need not stand in the way of people reaching for their hopes and dreams, of being the very best they can be with what they have." D.S. MYTAXES HELPED SUILD CAR THE compotNy THAT FUEL 1T At JHE ROAD THAT TAKES ME TO ..nY GOVERNMENT STORE AN' OW 9Y I /WED 4 LICENCE' 9 Contract for school addition awarded to London construction company 25 YEARS AGO May 24, 1962: 'The—Contract for a four -room addition to the new Holmesville public school has be n awarded to the George and William n- struction Company Limited, London. Ac- cording to Frank Yeo, secretary -treasurer of the Goderich Township School Area, the contract price was, $58,782. However, the • overs cost, including architect's fess and fur pings, will be about $70,000. Construe - on will commence immediately with com- pletion in three months lame. The new addi- tion will result in the tsportation of 100 pupils by bus from Goderich Township school sections 11, 4 and 6 which schools will be closed. The school area orginally con- sisted of six school buildings but by September 1 only three will be open. They are the new school at Holmesville and SS 1 School. When the four room addition is com- pleted, there will be accommodation for 210 students. Present enrolment is about 80 students. The township area school board had placed an advertisement for one addi- tional teacher for the Holmesville school and to date have received 40 applications. The Goderich mine of Sifto Salt Limited has been awarded the 1961 John T. Ryan On- tario regional safety award, it was announc- ed at the recent convention of Canadian In- stitute of Mining and Metallurgy in Ottawa. The large rock' salt mine, which recently completed an expansion program, won the award for the lowest accident frequency rate in its region. To qualify, a mine must work in excess of 240,000 man hours a year. The award is made annually in memory of the founder of the Mine Safety Appliance Company. The coveted safety award was won in- competition with 44 other mines in Ontario. Initially awarded in 1941, the 1961 regional award is a particular pride to the management and staff of the local Sifto LOOKING BASK plant. The Goderich mine recorded only two lost time accidents during the year among a working staff od 150 men. This is a remarkable record considering the scope of the extensive operation, most of it underground. .50 YEARS AGO May 28, 1937: Under the direction of the public utilities commission, a light standard of a new type for Goderich has been placed at the North Street corner of the Square and one in the roadway facing the block between North and Hamilton streets. A th d one is to be placed at the Royal Bank cor er. This is for the purpose of lettin: embers of the commission : n.. e public see what sort of illumination t ese lights givee before a deci- sion is made to the new lighting system for the Square. These standards are taller than the old type, the theory being that with the higher standard the light is thrown over a larger area. It is a single light, but is is claimed by the makers that it gives a better illumination than the old three -lamp stan- dard. An inner Layer of glass has a slight coloring to eliminate the glare and the outer . layer of glass is stippled in order to shoot the light rays in all direction. Three more stan- dards of still another type are to be placed in • another block when they arrive. Ab Leonard has a flock of several hundred chicks on the north side of the harbor, some Of which, believe it or not, have established a racial precedent by taking to the water like the seagulls that frequent the water- front. In fact, it is believed these daring am- phibious chicks are endeavoring to follow the lead of their aerial cousins. The chicks are wont to scratch along the shore of Snug Harbor and it was while tying up a boat that Odd Jacobson noticed a chick in the water, near shore where a few gulls were picking up minnows. He was about to go to the aid of the chick when he saw another scamper madly over the pebbles and hurl itself into the shallow water. The pair of chicks floundered around for a time, buoyed up by their downy feathers and then scrambled ashore. Leonard says it is not unusual to see chicks in the water, and none has 'drowned yet. 70 YEARS AGO May 24, 1917: Mayor Munnings has received an intima- tion that any vacant lots in town belonging to the Canada Company will be available for any persons desiring land for production purposes this year. The stirring recruiting meetings of the early part o1916 were recalled by the meeting in Knox Church on Sunday evening, following the regular evening service. There was a very large gathering and the addresses were heard with great interest and evident approval as was shown by oc- cassional bursts of applause. The church choir opened the program. The chief ad- dress of the evening was given by Capt. Par- sons, a lady who has won her military title by her valued services as a recruiter. Her address was vigorous, at times pathetic, and the appeal she made to young manhood to stand forth in the cause of the Allies was a most powerful. one. Mrs. Parsons did not confine her appeal to the men however, but spoke of ways in which the girls and women could assist in the struggle by furthering the movement for thrift in the homes and in other ' ass standing resolutely by their men folks I haven't been to a circus since 1 was 12 -years -old. So, when the Goderich Junior C Sailors brought the George Garden Circus International to town last weekend, I didn't mind drawing the assignment to cover it. It gave me a chance to attend under cover of working, without having to borrow some children from a friend or relative in order to make my attendance at the. event appear legitimate. After all, as everyone knows, the circus is for kids. Right? Not neccessarily so. Such an ex- travaganza can also make for a very entertaining afternoon for your average community newspaper photographer. Actually, some of the people attending the afternoon session Sunday probably mistook me for part of the show — one of clowns perhaps? In order to get some close-up glossys, I had obtained permis- sion from nbne other than George Garden himself, to stake out a spot right at ringside. At the time, I thought George was doing me a favor. Just shows how you can misjudge people. "Get as close as you like. When I'm handling the elephants in the second half you can get right up to the edge of the ring if you want," offered George. Thanks a lot George. Nothing I like bet- ter than getting within two feet of a three -ton behemoth while it's circling a ring, bordered only' by an inflatable tube, at full tilt. By the way George; were these pachyderms passing wind as they passed me by, or do elephants always smell that bad? George's assistance at getting" me up front with Jumbo and crew, was ap- preciated almost as much as the advice of the woman who was assisting Bruno the tiger trainer. This helpful lady directed me to a spot where I could get a head-on view• •of one of the big striped cats changing i probably not voluntarily through a ring of fire. i had assumed the tiger would stop somewhat short of the bars, behind which I was hurriedly focussing my Pentax. So, I was a little stunned when I realized this cat was about to crash right into both the bars and myself. As I picked myself up off the ground, I could tell by the coy smile on my guide's face, she had probably pulled this same stunt on reporters before. "Never get a better shot than that, eh?" Right. If i hadn't moved as quick as I did, I might never have got another shot of anything again. Not that 1 didn't have any fun at all taking pictures. 1 did enjoy watching the high wire guy sweat bullets as he pointed simmenive from this angle Patrick Raftis =War aves.earaleemSONIIMMISMeel at my camera and shook his head "No! No!" 1 got the impression he didn't relish the idea of ray flash going off his his face as he attempted his through -the -hoop backflip on the silver strand. Guess I can't blame him for that. Probably the highlight of the day was was the outdoor spectacle of Murzon,,the Human Missile, taking an artillary- powered flight into a suitably large net. For the camera buff, this•is the kind of thing you have to get on the first try. Can't very well say, "Hey Murton, I didn't get that. Would you mind getting back in the cannon?" Despite the photographic tribulations, I got big bang (though undoubtably not as big a bang as Murzon) out of attending my first circus in many years. From their reactions, I would also guess the 1,900 or so who attended the two perfor- mances did too. • Still, I'm not about to run away and join one. I have a feeling — not being good at juggling or flying from cannons — that I'd have to start at the bottom. Much as i might complain about my job, it .just has to be better than following elephants around with broom.