Terry Fox
Mark Cornacchia Dr. Housel January 12, 2009 Essay #2 Terry Fox Few people in today’s modern society become a household name for traditional merits of heroism. Even fewer are remembered long after the spotlight of their accomplishments fade. In Canadian history, no name resonates closer to the word hero than Terry Fox and his marathon of hope. His innate sense of selflessness, and perseverance in the face of adversity has become Terry’s lasting legacy. Turning tragedy into opportunity, Terry inspired an entire nation, and reconnected our faith in the human spirit, showing the world that a hero can come in any form. What started as a modest fundraiser, Terry’s marathon of hope gave Canada its own living hero, whose struggle evoked compassion, empathy, and a cause that is still alive today. Terrence Stanley Fox was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba on June 28, 1958 to his parents, Rolly and Betty Fox. The family relocated their home early in Terry’s childhood to Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, a suburb of Vancouver (Terry Fox Foundation). The first few years of Terry’s life played out with a common theme in place; he loved sports of all kinds, participating in organized soccer, rugby, baseball, and swimming. Although he was never the biggest child, his parents always described their son as being “determined and tenacious” (Trottier 26). Rolly and Betty stressed good manners, and a respectful demeanor to each of their four children. They addressed elders formally at all times, practiced good table manners, and if they got a job, they were to be punctual and keep it. The children all started seasonal berry picking when they were nine or ten years old, and continued with it well into their teenage years (Terry Fox Foundation). Betty also preached responsibility to her children, stating “everything wasn’t handed to them, they all had to learn to do for themselves” (Terry Fox Foundation). When the children entered adolescence, they bought their own school
Cited: Buchigrass, John. Terry Fox. ESPN. Bristol, Connecticut. 10 Sept. 2005. "Early Years." The Terry Fox Foundation. Ed. Darrell Fox. 12 Jan. 2009 http://www.terryfoxrun.org/english/about%20terry%20fox/default.asp?s=1. "Fact Sheet." Terry Fox Humanitarian Award Program. Government of Canada. 8 Jan. 2009 http://www.terryfox.org/english/terryfacts.html. "Osteosarcoma and Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma of Bone Treatment (PDQ®) - Description." WebMD - Better information. Better health. 2004. 8 Jan. 2009 http://www.webmd.com/cancer/tc/bone-cancer-osteosarcoma-and-bone-tumors-fibrous-histiocytoma-treatment-patient-information-nci. Trottier, Maxine. Terry Fox: A Story of Hope. Toronto: Scholastic Canada, 2005.