By Emily Stonehouse
Forty-five years ago, Terry Fox started his Marathon of Hope.
A true Canadian icon, Fox rallied communities in the name of hope, and put one foot in front of the other as he set out to unite the country.
And while his legacy has had quantitative impacts in the name of cancer research, what was more significant, was his commitment to continued optimism.
When all forces seemed to be against him, he put one foot in front of the other. Again and again, along the rocky and rambling roads of Canadian landscape, he kept going.
It’s disheartening to see that community Terry Fox runs seem to have dwindled. Between the shake-up of COVID-19 and a burnt-out population of volunteers, it’s no surprise that some of these events have fallen off the radar.
I was approached by several people, inquiring about when our local Terry Fox run is scheduled. While there is currently nothing set in stone, it was a relief to hear that schools intend to continue honouring the legacy of Terry at the end of September.
But why write about Terry Fox, during a time in the world that seems to be in upheaval. It’s a complicated era. Massive dichotomizations of right and wrong, good and evil.
When our own children are coming home, sharing that a normal part of their day consists of practicing lockdown drills in their elementary school classroom, you know that something is wrong.
When you’re scrolling on your phone and see anger, hate, violence, abuse – verbally, physically, emotionally, you know that something is wrong.
When basic human rights are up for debate; stifling women’ s autonomy of their own bodies, limiting access to gender-affirming care, snuffing out mental health services and equity enhancing initiatives, you know that something is wrong.
I recognize that a lot has happened since 1980. The world has changed. And maybe that’s a direct result of suddenly peering behind the curtain via our blue-lit screens, and getting a glimpse of what happens behind closed doors, but it’s clear. We know that something is wrong.
When Terry Fox hiked his way across Canada, it was for more than cancer research fundraising. It was for hope. It was an opportunity to see a scrawny young kid go against the norm; the constant forces pushing against him and limiting his next steps, and showing the world what could be done if you simply carry hope in your heart.
Terry Fox inspired millions. And while we may not all be participating in community runs this year, I think, this month, we should all think about him. About what he fought for, how he saw the world, what he believed in, and the sprinkling of hope he scattered around the country as a whole. It’s been a long time since the country has joined together under one cause, one belief, one hero, one hope.
There is good in the world. And when those forces of darkness threaten to suck us in, sometimes all we need is that little glimmer to keep moving forward.
One foot in front of the other.
