Celebrating an exceptional life

RACHELLE HALPENNY Born: Nov. 9, 1950, in Ironside, Que.

Died: Jan. 10, 2012, in Ottawa

Rachelle Halpenny, née Marengère, led an exceptional life as a wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister and friend.

However, there was another side of which few Canadians are aware. She was a national and international athlete. In 1978, in Edinburgh, Scotland, at the Fourth International Cerebral Palsy Games, Rachelle’s first international competition and as Canada’s sole competitor, she won three gold and two bronze medals. In 1982, at the next international games in Denmark, she won two gold medals, one silver and one bronze. Already a tireless and uncompromising champion for those with impairments, this set the stage for her exceptional life as an athlete.

Rachelle became severely handicapped with cerebral palsy at nine months old. She and her family moved to Ottawa and, following many operations, post-operative physiotherapy and speech therapy, she lived a normal life, married Jim Halpenny in 1973 and they had two sons.

We became neighbours in Rockland, Ont., in the ’70s, were both young stay-at-home moms, visited back and forth and occasionally babysat for one another. Rachelle prepared, competed and returned with medals, adding to the overflowing collection in their living room, activities we just took for granted.

Preparing for Edinburgh, Rachelle had no trainers, coaches or medical support, and entering the arena she pushed her wheelchair with one hand and held the Canadian flag with the other while the band played Canada’s national anthem three times until she reached her spot. Based on athletes competing and their medal count, Rachelle’s results gave Canada No. 1 standing at the games. During her career, she competed in archery, club throw, rifle and pistol shooting, 60-metre sprint, sailing, soccer, swimming, table tennis, track and field, weightlifting and wheelchair slalom.

It is impossible to list here all her athletic achievements, her accomplishments for the rights, opportunities and advancement for those with impairments — as well, don’t forget, as helping to raise their children. She had, however, a humble side when it came to her achievements.

These examples may help you understand: ❚ As a design consultant for Algonquin College’s (East) ’80s renovation, she inspected the new building — among flaws were elevator buttons and washrooms still not wheelchair accessible. Rachelle protested, changes were made. ❚ She took on the Ottawa police chief after finding a cruiser, lights flashing, parked in the handicapped spot at the Ottawa Ex. In answer to her complaint, the chief tried to dismiss her, saying there must have been a good reason. Rachelle shot back the only good reason — if the officer was handicapped. The chief apologized, the officer was disciplined. ❚ Rick Hansen’s Man In Motion Tour ’87 was scheduled at a ceremony in Rockland. I became aware Rachelle had not been invited, contacted the organizer and after “my mini-meltdown,” Rachelle was invited, participated and met Rick. She would never have asked to participate.

In 2006 at the 53rd annual Ottawa Sports Award Dinner, Rachelle received an Individual Sports Award (Sailing (Able Sail)) along with 55 other individual sports winners and 16 teams.

She passed away peacefully Jan. 10, 2012, at the Montfort Hospital, her family by her side.

She leaves husband Jim, sons Charles (Megan), Justin (Nikki), grandchildren (Madison, Cynthia, Ethyn, Colton and Jordan), mother Simone Roy, brothers (Robert, Yvon & Gerry), as well as thousands of Canadians who were privileged to share her exceptional life. She was a champion to the end.