Florence, Aurélie, Jeffrey, Marc-antoine and Jacob, patient ambassadors running in Owl's Head on May 26-27
Spartan Race Canada has selected Shriners Hospitals for Children Canada as their national charity partner for 2018. Spartan Race is the leader in obstacle course racing. Spartan races are amongst the most challenging obstacle courses in the world, tough for anyone. But, over the years, patients at Shriners Hospitals for Children Canada have proven that disabilities do not necessarily mean limitations. Their participation in these challenging events has inspired families, friends and communities across the country.
Shriners Hospitals for Children –
Canada share a core value with the Spartan Race sports community: empowering individuals to realize their full potential and to be the best that they can be. All patients at Canada Shriners Hospital face obstacles everyday. The hospital treats children with orthopaedic and neuromuscular problems such as brittle bone disease, hip dysplasia, cerebral palsy, scoliosis, limb deformities and other complex conditions. “We understand that with care and support, the children and families helped at Shriners Hospitals for Children – Canada are able to face obstacles and learn how to deal with them, how to be autonomous and to trust their ability to find a solution. This is very similar to what runners encounter when training for a Spartan Race, and during the race”, shares Martin Galligan, President, Spartan Race Canada.
“As they have in the past, in 2018 our patients and staff will be proud to represent the hospital as runners and on location at almost every race across the country. This May, Patients Jeffrey Beausoleil, born missing his right hand and his right foot will be fundraising and running his 9th race in May with his friends and family, Aurélie, born with a leg length discrepancy of several centimeters which has been corrected will attempt her second Spartan Race, and newcomer patient Florence, a 10 yearold who had a foot amputation, will attempt her first Junior Spartan! The Shriners Fraternity will also be very present at all the races across the country as faithful volunteers to help organizers offer a safe, fun and rewarding race to all participants”, says Bill Miller, Chairman of the Board of Governors.
What does this mean for the children we treat?
As the 2018 National Charity Partner of Spartan Race Canada there will be many ways participants can support the hospital:
Runners can add a donation during their registration process at www.spartanrace.ca
Individuals can also fundraise to make their race more meaningful or groups can fundraise as a team building activity at
Support our exceptional patients and patient-runners at
www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.or g/montreal/spartanracecanada
Make it a fun family day, register your child or grand-child to run in one of the Junior Spartan Races at www.spartanrace.ca
Volunteer at a Spartan Race on behalf of the hospital. Contact Jennifer Bradley at jbradley@shrinenet.org
Funds raised through Spartan Races throughout the season will be directed to patient care and services at Shriners Hospitals for Children – Canada in order to help our team of professionals provide exceptional care to exceptional kids for generations to come.
Florence Carrier
Florence Carrier, 10 years old, is currently in 5th Grade. She lives in Orford in the Eastern Townships. Florence was born with a malformation to her right leg: she had no fibula and her tibia was shorter than the other one by 20%.
A few days following her birth, her parents were referred to Shriners Hospitals for Children® - Canada for a consultation. At that time it was decided that the best option for Florence was an amputation. With the support of the Shriners Hospital team, her parents took the decision to proceed.
At 9 months old, under the supervision of Dr. Reggie Hamdy, the surgery to her right leg was completed and her foot was also removed.
A few months later, Florence took her first steps with the help of prosthesis. Since her early childhood, she’s been partaking in numerous activities: dancing, gymnastics, swimming and even completed triathlons. As she mentions herself that she feels no limitation. Her greatest passion is alpine skiing, which she started practicing at only 3 years old. Florence is proud to be part of Owl’s Head racing team for 2 years. Her dream is to go to the Olympic Games in skiing and proudly represent her country.
Florence looks forward to her first Junior Spartan Race on behalf of her favorite Hospital at her favorite Mountain Owls Head this May!