MONTREAL, July 15, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - Spartan Races are amongst the most challenging obstacle courses in the world, tough for just about anyone. But three teens, patients at Shriners Hospitals for Children® - Canada, will be proving that disabilities do not necessarily mean limitations at the Montreal Spartan Race Sprint this Saturday. Not only that, they have inspired family, friends and staff to run with them. They are also raising funds to benefit Shriners Hospitals for Children – Canada.
Jeffrey, 17
17 year old Jeffrey, born without a right hand or right foot, completed four Spartan Race Sprints last year. This year he's taking on an even bigger challenge. He wants to complete a "Trifecta" (a Sprint (5+ km), a Super (13+ km) and a Beast (21+ km)) while raising $10,000 for Canada Shriners Hospital. "Canada Shriners Hospital has helped me so much," explains Jeffrey. "Without their help, I wouldn't be in a position to do Spartan Races. It's my turn to give back." So far this year, Jeffrey has completed a Spartan Race Super in Quebec City and a Sprint in Ottawa. He's doing this Saturday's race with his mother, father, brothers, grandfather, uncle and about 15 friends and other family members. He'll be taking on a Beast at Owl's Head on July 31.
Phil, 18
Phil, 18, has cerebral palsy, an intellectual disability and ADHD but is not letting any of that stop him. He completed his first Spartan Race Sprint in Toronto earlier this month and is ready to take on the more challenging course on a much bigger mountain at Owl's Head. "It's so important that people, including those with disabilities, keep on pushing their limits and being positive about what they can accomplish," insists Phil. "Accomplishing these Spartan Races is proving to me that even with a disability, I can do anything I put my mind to." Phil has undergone four surgeries and hours of physiotherapy at Canada Shriners Hospital.
Aurélie, 14
At 14, Aurélie just qualifies to do an adult Spartan Race (Junior races are for ages 4-13). But she wouldn't have it any other way. By the age of 12, Aurélie's left leg was 50 millimeters shorter than her right. She underwent major surgery and eight months of painful leg lengthening less than two years ago, but is already back to all her favorite sports. "I was born with physical differences, but it hasn't stopped me from doing things," Aurélie says. "I want to show other kids that may have disabilities or who are different that they can do great things."
Media opportunity
Come meet Jeffrey, Phil and Aurélie, as well as their families, and see them take on the first of two weekends of Spartan Races in Montreal this season.
Date: Saturday, July 16, 2016
Time: Our three patients will start the race at 11:00. They, along with their families, will be available for interviews at 10:15. Arrangements can be made for cameras to get close to accessible obstacles to film the patients on the course.
Place: Owl's Head, 40 Chemin du Mont Owls Head, Mansonville, QC J0E 1X0 – Please confirm your presence ahead of time so that we can send you a parking pass for the site.
Please contact: Emmanuelle Rondeau at 514-207-1057 at your arrival. She will come find you.
More on Shriners Hospital for Children – Canada's partnership with Spartan Race
All patients at Canada Shriners Hospital face obstacles: we treat children with orthopaedic and neuromuscular problems such as scoliosis, brittle bone disease, club feet, hip dysplasia, leg length discrepancies and cerebral palsy. Our mission is to treat and rehabilitate our patients. Our aim is to convey to them that so much is possible when we put our mind to it.
That's why, for the second year in a row, Canada Shriners Hospital is a Spartan Race charity partner. Anyone willing to raise a minimum of $200 for Shriners Hospitals for Children – Canada, can get a free entry into the Spartan Race of their choice (adult or junior race) (see our website or Facebook page for details). We're also looking for volunteers to represent us on Spartan Race days. Why this partnership? Spartan Races challenge participants to make it to the finish line, not necessarily to win. The idea is to help and encourage others during the race, so that everyone can get that coveted "Finisher" t-shirt and medal. Spartan Races have many of the same goals we at Canada Shriners Hospital have: showing compassion, helping others and trying our best to overcome obstacles both physical and psychological. We are using Spartan Races as an example of a challenge kids and adults alike can take on to prove to themselves they can do great things.
To encourage our patients and make a donation to support their Spartan Race objective, click on: http://shfcmh.convio.net/goto/SpartanRace2016 or follow the link from our Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/ShrinersHospitalsforChildrenCanada
About Shriners Hospitals for Children – Canada
Established in Montreal in 1925, Shriners Hospitals for Children – Canada is the only Canadian establishment within the network of 22 Shriners Hospitals, the others located in the U.S. and Mexico. The bilingual, short-term, acute care hospital provides ultra-specialized orthopaedic care to children from coast to coast, the U.S. and around the world. The mission of the hospital is to promote health and provide treatment and rehabilitation to infants, children and young adults with orthopaedic and neuromuscular problems such as scoliosis, brittle bone disease, club feet, hip dysplasia, leg length discrepancies and cerebral palsy. The hospital is committed to excellence and innovation in clinical practice, research and education and to ensuring patients and their families are treated in a caring, family-friendly environment. The hospital is affiliated with McGill University and provides clinical experience and teaching for residents and allied professionals. The hospital is present in communities across Canada thanks to telemedicine, outreach clinics and two satellite clinics located in Winnipeg and Halifax. Shriners Hospitals for Children – Canada has been helping kids reach their full potential for 90 years and counting.
SOURCE Shriners Hospitals For Children
Image with caption: "Jeffrey, Aurélie, Philippe (CNW Group/Shriners Hospitals For Children)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160716_C8277_PHOTO_EN_735247.jpg
Image with caption: "Aurélie, 14, will complete her first Spartan Race on July 16th (CNW Group/Shriners Hospitals For Children)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160716_C8277_PHOTO_EN_735249.jpg
Image with caption: "Phil, 18 years old was not supposed to walk without assistance and will complete his second Spartan Race on July 16th (CNW Group/Shriners Hospitals For Children)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160716_C8277_PHOTO_EN_735251.jpg
Image with caption: "Jeffrey, 17, inspired his family and friends. They will be racing and fundraising together. They hope to raise $10,000. (CNW Group/Shriners Hospitals For Children)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160716_C8277_PHOTO_EN_735253.jpg
Emmanuelle Rondeau, Communications & Marketing Manager, Shriners Hospitals for Children - Canada, C: 514-207-1057, [email protected]
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