FEBRUARY 2006 MAGAZINE GREAT VALENTINE GALA ISSUE 2006 King Clancy Award Winners Tom Jeary Steven Fletcher Joanne Smith WhyNot. Magazine FEBRUARY 2006 THE GREAT VALENTINE GALA ISSUE FEBRUARY, 2006 Published by the Canadian Foundation for Physically Disabled Persons, 731 Runnymede Road, Toronto, Ontario, M6N 3V7 Telephone (416) 760-7351 MAGAZINE Fax (416) 760-9405 E-Mail: [email protected] WhyNot. www.cfpdp.com IN THIS ISSUE Publisher: Vim Kochhar Editors: Lawrence Allen and Bill McOuat A GALA WELCOME Publication Manager: Dorothy Price 4 Publication Coordinator: Joan Champ Design & Production: The Richmond Studio A Gala Celebration Sales: Envision Inc. 8 The 22nd annual Great Valentine Gala Printing: Thompson Printing, Paris, Ontario promises a night to remember For information about advertising rates, please contact our Advertising Sales representatives: Presenting the King Clancy Awards Envision Inc., Telephone (416) 259-5677. Meet our 2006 winners 14 The reproduction of articles from WhyNot. Magazine, with the exception of copyright Leading by Example material, is welcome provided the source is 17 Introducing the winners of the 2006 acknowledged. Additional copies of WhyNot. Magazine are available from the Publisher at a CFPDP Corporate Award cost of $2.50 each plus shipping and handling. Gala Blues Iconic Canadian bluesman 19 Jeff Healey comes to the Gala Canadian Foundation for Physically Disabled Persons Ride the Rampage The Canadian Foundation for Physically 22 The fourth annual Rolling Rampage Disabled Persons, a charitable organization founded in 1985, assists people with physi- joins the World Series cal disabilities to live fuller lives. Its mission is to create awareness in the public, business communities and government of the abilities READY FOR TORINO of persons with disabilities and their needs in Canada’s Winter Paralympians 26 the areas of housing, employment, educa- prepare to descend on Torino tion, accessibility, sports and recreation and research. In the past twenty-two years, the Foundation has raised substantial funds, THE LAST WORD which it has distributed to a wide variety of 32 Gala greetings from Canadian organizations and events. These include the Paralympic Committee President Patrick Jarvis Terry Fox Hall of Fame, the Eternal Flame of Hope, the Rotary Cheshire Home, the Canadian Helen Keller Centre, the annual Great Valentine Gala (in cooperation with the Rotary Club of Toronto-Don Valley), the King Clancy Awards, the Corporate Awards, the WhyNot Marathon, the first Canadian Marathon for the Paralympics, Jeff Adams’ CN Tower climb and Rolling Rampage Wheelchair 10K Road Race 2222 Valentine’s Day is a time for love and caring, As The Queen’s representative in Ontario and traits shared by everyone supporting the Honorary Patron of the Canadian Foundation Canadian Foundation for Physically Disabled for Physically Disabled Persons, I am pleased to Persons and its 22nd annual Great Valentine extend warm greetings to everyone attending Gala. the 22nd Great Valentine Gala. The Foundation was set up to bring much The CFPDP is one of the most important needed attention to this segment of our popula- organizations actively working for the advance- tion and the contribution they make, as well as ment of men and women who have physical to offer help in whatever way they can, be it disabilities. Physical, and other kinds of barriers, through housing, education, treatment or can prevent people dealing with physical research. However, above all else, they provide disabilities from living their lives to the fullest. hope and fulfilment for persons with physical The CFPDP works hard to provide accessibility, disabilities. The members and supporters of the employment opportunities and other supports. Foundation have made a difference in so many I extend best wishes to Vim Kochhar and lives, and I know, that with your help, they will the organizing committee for their outstanding continue to do so. work in promoting this most important cause. Along with raising awareness of Canadians with disabilities, the Foundation has taken on James K. Bartleman initiatives such as supporting paralympic athletes Lieutenant Governor of Ontario and funding treatment centres, among others. Those who have benefited from your help join me in thanking you for your work. I wish everyone an enjoyable gala. Michaëlle Jean Governor General of Canada M4WhyNot. February 2006 essages Welcome to the 22nd Annual Great Valentine It gives me great pleasure to join the Canadian Greetings and welcome to our 22nd annual Great Gala. I am pleased to join Rick Waugh, Foundation for Physically Disabled Persons in Valentine Gala. President and CEO of Scotiabank as Honorary welcoming you to the 22nd annual Great Through the years, the Canadian Foundation Co-Chair for this evening’s momentous Valentine Gala. for Physically Disabled Persons has enlisted the fundraising event. This is my second year serving as Honorary support of a great many thoughtful friends and The Great Valentine Gala, besides being the Gala Co-Chair. Scotiabank is proud to support community partners. It is a debt we can never most important fundraiser for the Canadian the CFPDP in its campaign to make a world repay but it’s the kind of debt you can never Foundation for Physically Disabled Persons, is of greater opportunity for the more than two forget. It is a great feeling to be a part of such a one of the only celebrations that pay tribute to million Canadians afflicted with some form of supportive and committed network of friends. the many achievements and accomplishments of physical disability. Proceeds from the gala form a It’s our hope you’ll share that feeling tonight, for Canada’s physically disabled. I am honoured to major source of funds for supporting important this is what the Great Valentine Gala is all about: be a part of an event that draws attention to initiatives that promote public awareness of working together to ensure this great country of their tremendous potential and recognizes their this cause. The money raised will also provide ours never leaves anyone behind. skills and determination. substantial and much-needed funding for In keeping with the Gala spirit, tonight we Tonight, we are also paying tribute to Canada’s Paralympians, accessible housing and salute the inspiring achievements of our 2006 Canada’s Paralympic team whose skill and forti- outreach programs for the deaf-blind community King Clancy Award winners: Winnipeg M.P. tude advance the issues on a global level. We and many other essential community services. Steven Fletcher, broadcaster Joanne Smith and salute each and every one of you as you prepare What makes the Great Valentine Gala truly volunteer innovator Tom Jeary. We also salute the to travel to Italy and show the world what can special, however, is the very real sense of magnificent contributions of this year’s CFPDP be accomplished. You are an inspiration to all community the evening promotes. In celebrating Corporate Award winners: Bloorview MacMillan Canadians for your incredible drive, determina- the achievements of people with disabilities and Children’s Centre and Microsoft Canada. tion and dedication to your dreams. the dedicated people and organizations who Tonight’s Gala will also serve as a send-off On behalf of DaimlerChrysler Canada and all work on their behalf, the Gala drives home the for Canada’s Paralympic Team competing in the our employees, we applaud the many dedicated value and importance of diversity in our commu- Torino Winter Games. I would also like to pay patrons and volunteers who work tirelessly every nities and that’s a message we can all endorse. tribute to the Canadian Paralympic Committee day to advance the issues and interests of the On behalf of Scotiabank and our employees and to Patrick Jarvis for his leadership over the physically disabled. Thank YOU for supporting across Canada, I want to thank the CFPDP and all past 7 years. this great cause and this wonderful event. the Gala patrons and volunteers whose generous On behalf of the CFPDP, I want to thank support and assistance make this wonderful our dedicated Gala patrons and volunteers and Steven Landry evening possible. I wish you every success for everyone who supports the aspirations of President and CEO the year ahead, thank you. Canada’s disability community. Your generosity DaimlerChrysler Canada and goodwill are the lifeblood of this great cause Rick Waugh and I thank you one and all. President and CEO Scotiabank VVim Kochhar, President and CEO Vimal Group of Companies Chairman Canadian Foundation for Physically Disabled Persons sages February 2006 WhyNot.5 G2006reat Celebrating the inspired leadership and achievements of Canadians with disabilities alentineand2006 their many partners in the ongoingG struggle to make a betterala world n February 11 more than 800 enthusiastic the 22nd Annual Great Valentine Gala. friends and supporters of the Canadian An evening of celebration, fun and fellow- VOFoundation for Physically Disabled Persons ship in the service of a great cause, the CFPDP’s will come together for one of this country’s beloved fundraiser has carved out a proud tra- most enduring tributes to the aspirations and dition of spirited support for the disability com- achievements of Canadians with disabilities, munity and its hopes for a better world. Over Top left: Senator Joyce Fairbairn and the Hon. Hal Jackman Top right: The Hon. Michael Wilson, Lynne Waugh and Rick Waugh Bottom left: Gala MC Suhanna Meharchand Bottom right: Swimmer Stephanie Dixon accepts the King Clancy Trophy for Canada’s 2004 Paralympic Team 8WhyNot. February 2006 KING CLANCY the course of more than two decades, the gen- levels of daily life, notes Kochhar. The barriers AWARD WINNERS erosity of Gala patrons has contributed to acces- can be systemic, financial, personal, architec- 1987 Richard Beecroft sible housing, outreach and training, sports and tural, but very few are carved in stone.