 |
| |
|
Stopping Pucks Was Easy
Compared To What Gail Leroux Has Been Through In Her Life
|
|
|
It was an absolute thrill for Gail Leroux, shown in the photo on the far
left, when Ken Dryden signed his autograph on the poster she had made to
promote the Cupid’s Night Valentine’s Dance she is organizing to raise
money for the March of Dimes. Also in the picture are 84 year old, Gerty
Burnett, and Gail’s husband, Al, standing. The dance will be held at the
Centennial Arena on Saturday, February 4, 2006 from 8 p.m. to 1 p.m. Gail
will be at the Hanmer Valley Shopping Centre every afternoon until January
28, 2006 selling tickets at $20 per person or $40 per couple. Half of the
money will pay for expenses and the other half will be donated to the
March of Dimes. Gail is hoping to sell 200 tickets for the dance which
will feature music by Fran’s Dance Mix.
Gail Leroux’s life
changed forever when, at the age of 16, she was involved in a serious car
accident which claimed the lives of two other teenagers and resulted in
the eventual suicide of one of the others who ended up with brain damage.
Even though Gail suffered broken bones in 108 places in her body, spend a
whole year in hospital recovering, went through over 50 operations, and
has endured over 40 years of intense pain, she claims that, “I
wouldn’t want to change a thing about my life. I’m happy and I’ve
got my faith.”
She gives much of the
credit for helping her get through all of the challenges she has faced in
her life to her husband of 39 years, Al, who she met while in a wheelchair
following the accident. He has stayed by her giving her support and love
ever since. “My husband always says that as long as we can put our feet
on the floor in the morning, we know we’re ok! I listen for his feet to
touch the floor in the morning and I am happy. He does the same with me.
What more could we ask from life?”
Gail was born in
Saskatchewan
, but moved to
Sudbury
when she was very
young. She has lived in Capreol for the past ten years, and has been
pretty much wheelchair bound ever since moving to Capreol.
“The March of Dimes
has been so good to me,” explained Gail when asked why she was
organizing this special fund-raising dance. “They helped me make my
house and vehicle more wheel chair accessible. They have been absolutely
wonderful to me, and I just wanted to give something back to them.
Gail’s goal is to
some day take her wheelchair and ride to
Saskatchewan
and back to raise
money for Cancer and Heart research.
People who purchase
tickets can qualify for an Early Bird Draw if they buy before January 28.
The winner of the first Early Bird Draw was Sandra and Bob Neville. They
will be treated to a Limousine and Dinner for Two donated by the
Ambassador Hotel and a dozen roses donated by Lougheed Flowers. Another
winner will be drawn on
January 28, 2006
.
If anyone wishes to
purchase tickets to help out with this wonderful cause, you can see Gail
at the Hanmer Valley Shopping Centre every afternoon until January 28 or
purchase tickets at the door on February 4 at the Centennial Arena. |
|
|
| Ken Dryden autographs poster which will be auctioned off
during the dance being organized by Gail Leroux, shown in the background
watching the famous hockey Hall of Famer. |
|
|
