Honour Lori McDermid, for Spinal Cord Research
My name is Christine Jokinen and I’d like to thank you for all for taking the time to read my story about someone who is so very important to me. All of the funds collected during this fundraiser will be donated to The Rick Hansen Foundation in honour of Lori McDermid(Kelly). For more in-depth information rickhansen.com
Rick Hansen was an inspiration to Lori, his Man in Motion world tour was well under way at the time of Lori’s accident. The Man in Motion tour began in 1985. He toured 34 countries around the world to prove the potential of people with disabilities, raise awareness for accessibility and to help find a cure for spinal cord injury. His tour raised an astonishing 26 million!
With the conclusion of the MIM tour in 1987, Rick founded the Man in Motion Tour Society in 1988. Now called The Rick Hansen Foundation, they continue to raise money and awareness to improve the lives of people with disabilities and support spinal cord injury research.
I wish all of you could see Lori through my eyes…so I will do my best to put it in perspective for you.
Lori McDermid’s story began in 1986 after a car accident rendered her an “incomplete quadriplegic”. After a year long stay in hospital she returned to high school, a new high school in a wheelchair. Regardless of boundaries and physical limitations, Lori continued to grow and flourish into the amazing and inspirational person she is today!
Nothing could hold her back or stop her from doing everything and anything the rest of us were up to.
Lori graduated high school, completed a course for teachers assistant, did some fashion modelling and even had a tiny part in a movie. We travelled all over the world but of course Vegas was her favourite destination!
We danced, a lot, often with a growing crowd of spectators watching in awe of this beautiful person having the time of her life as we spun and twirled around the dance floor. She drove every car she owned…at least on a straight dirt road, lol! Lori also owned and independently piloted a Sea-doo watercraft.
These things are just a drop in the bucket of what Lori has accomplished in her life time. She has lived an incredibly adventurous, sometimes mischievous, full life. She made sure that she could say, been there, done that!
To many of us, Lori is an inspiration, a pillar of strength, full of courage, love and the most giving and selfless person to ever walk or rather roll across this earth. She has impacted so many lives and made such a difference to all who have met her and to many that haven’t. Whether it be an act of kindness, love or support she has left her mark forever in a positive manner.
Lori met and married her “other” best friend and sole mate, Darcy McDermid, 21 years ago.
Family aren’t just the people we are born to, they are the ones that we choose for ourselves, because they are the ones who show up and stand at your side and love you unconditionally. They are the people that you do life with!
I am so very proud to still call her my best friend and my un-biological sister and honoured to have shared 34 years at her side.
In a nut shell, that is why I’m hosting this fundraiser, so the we can help Lori help others with a Spinal Cord Injury lead an amazing life included, fulfilled and without barriers!
Thank you