OVERCOMING ADVERSITY
U of R salutes former Pats star Hornung
Brad Hornung’s life was forever changed on March 1, 1987.
Hornung, a second-year forward with the Regina Pats at the time was working his way around the net during a game against the Moose Jaw Warriors when he took a cross-check from behind (which Hornung has said was not a dirty hit) and sprawled headfirst into the boards.
The broken vertebrae and crushed spinal cord he suffered as a result of the hit left him a quadriplegic and he’s been in a wheelchair ever since.
The lives of members of the Humboldt Broncos were forever changed on April 6 in the horrific crashed that took 16 lives and injured 13 others, including some left paralyzed.
Some may need look no further for inspiration than Hornung, who has stayed involved with hockey as a scout.
Those Broncos players were on Hornung ’s mind Friday as he received an honorary degree from the University of Regina at the spring convocation ceremony.
The honour recognized the inspiration Hornung has become to so many people.
He offered encouragement to everyone present that, despite what life might throw your way, it’s possible to overcome tragedy in a way you never thought possible. He cited the Broncos as an example.
“I’m not a special or isolated case, because I see this happen every day,” he said.
“And we are seeing it in the recovery of those who were affected by the Humboldt Broncos bus tragedy.
“If there’s a moral to my story, it’s that people tend to underestimate themselves and how well they would react to different circumstances.”
Before the ceremony, Hornung said he’s seen some of the Broncos survivors and is encouraged by their positive attitudes.
“They’re going to do well. They’ve got lots of support and the hockey community, the community’s behind them and I know they have the support of everyone, so they’re going to be okay,” he said.
The strong community support Hornung feels is what keeps him positive.
“The day before my accident, when I was 18 years old, if you had told me I would become a quadriplegic, I would have said three things to you,” said Hornung in his speech.
“The first I cannot repeat in polite company, the second would have been ‘This will never happen to me,’ and the third would have been ‘If that happens, my life as I know it will be over.’ ”
But his family and friends got him through it and have allowed him to thrive.
In his speech, Hornung encouraged everyone to find hope in dark circumstances.
“In those dark times,” he said, “I know you will find something in yourself that will help you move in a positive way ... and if I can serve as an example of that to even just one of you, my time here will have been well spent.”