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July 21 - North Bay - A Benefit BBQ was put on by the local MS chapter to kick off their Super City Walk for MS and a room with a jacuzzi for hydrotherapy was provided that night at the Clarion Pinewood Park Resort. Lori also received a Certificate of Appreciation from the city of North Bay and a Letter of Appreciation on behalf of the Nippiffing Riding and its Member of Provincial Parliament. |
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July 23 - Sturgeon Falls - 2150 km - fundraising at the local Saan store
July 27 - Sudbury - Local Saans fundraiser. Check out some pictures sent by Ayn MacDonald on the "Our Partners" page!
July 30 - Espanola - Local Saans fundraiser. The area is not as busy as Lori travels away from Toronto so these local events are vital! July 31 - Massey - 2320 km!
August 1 - Elliot Lake - Local Saans fundraiser
August 7 - Sault Ste. Marie - enjoyed a night at the KOA campsite
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August 14 - near Wawa - 2725 km - Comments from Lori: "I'm definitely feeling a little more isolated! As we rounded the eastern shores of Lake Superior and are passing through the Cambrian Shield we realize we have no cell phone signal. It's tough when your only means of communicating is cut off! Outside of the Rocky Mountains, this will be the most difficult stretch of the Trek for me. I'm also very homesick. I miss my family and the views right now remind me a lot of Horseshoe Bay. I received a warm reception in Sault St. Marie last week. I met the Mayor and received lots of encouragement from the many residents I met, particularly form the local Loyal Order of the Eagles. Their encouragement and support will keep me going!" |
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August 21 - Marathon - 2900 km (291 km away from the Trek's half way point!) Lori and Chris will be here for two more days which will include a fundraiser at the local Saan Store. They are finding the area to be "the most beautiful scenery we have seen thus far", but maybe it is because it reminds them of the Sunshine Coast and therefore a little bit of home! Even though they haven't really had any media coverage since Sault Ste. Marie, many people have seen Lori on their way to their vacations and then as they pass again on their way home, they stop and give donations. One student was in Toronto in the beginning of July when Lori was and on his way home this last week he saw her again. Even though he only had left for his travels, he gave it as a donation. Bob and Merilyn from Kitchener came looking for Lori as they have a best friend with MS and wanted to give a donation in her honor (and some food for Lori and Chris). Lori wanted to particualy thank the Heyden Order of Eagles for their donation and support (they will be spreading the news of Lori's Trek across Canada through their members). The last few weeks have been difficult without cell phone reception, but Lori has managed to still keep in touch once a week with her family by the use of payphones. She has lots of relatives in Winnepeg (some she hasn't seen in 20 years) and is looking forward to a bit of a family reunion when she reaches there around October 11th.
The Orillia Saan Store and the Local MS Chapter are having a garage sale to raise money for the Trek on August 23 |
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Sept. 3 - Thunder Bay - 3215 km - day 126 - HALFWAY POINT! Comments from Lori: Many events during the past four months have had a dramatic influence on me, but none as profound as the past three days walking along the Terry Fox Courage Highway. I have never felt more humbled in my life as I consider that Terry Fox took his last steps along this 100km stretch of road. On Monday, I stood before the Terry Fox Memorial and paid tribute to an individual that has inspired a Nation to come together to this day. The experience is indescribable. I have received so much courage, strength and inspiration during these past few days that it has changed my life forever!" Some extra good news to share: Lori's pain has lessened in the last few days which besides comfort and energy level increasing, has helped in so many ways. She is finding she can enjoy the experiences she is having and she has an easier time making decisions. She is able to focus more on fundraising, meeting people, and WALKING! September 19 - Ft. Francis - 3 documentary fundraisers from Toronto who are filming a documentary on Yonge Street met with Lori. Apparently Yonge Street is the longest street in the world and Lori has walked more of it than anyone else that they have met! They interviewed her and filmed a segment for their movie.
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September 22 - Lori has found this segment of the Trek since Thunderbay to be harder on her than anything previous. She finds that if she stops for a day or two her body seizes and it is difficult to keep going. A new phrase she repeats to keep her moving is "An hour and power. Power for an hour." She has felt very drained emotionally, mentally, and physically and has especially noticed the strong need to meet with familiar faces as she has only seen new people and places for the last 5 months. Five years ago, she had lost touch with friends Andy and Fern Pryndik whom she knew through the Mission Football League. Lori had moved to Deroche and was dealing with MS and she did not know that Fern was walking her own journey with lung cancer. Today Andy and Fern drove from Winnepeg where they were holidaying and searched the highways until they found Lori. They had a great visit and encouraged Lori by saying they were proud of what she was doing for all disabled people. Their extra effort has done much for refueling Lori and giving her an extra boost! Thanks so much Andy and Fern! Little did they know that it didn't end there. They gave Lori a special rock that has "Strength" engraved in it, told her to call them collect anytime, told Lori they would drive out to meet her again, and gave her 200 dollars for her and Chris to treat themselves. Lori and Chris used that money to go to "The Last Resort" in Sioux Narrows for a steak dinner. Afterwards they were told their dinner was on the house, and given a hat and postcard by the owner! Lori particularly found the irony in the name of the resaurant. Sometimes even when you feel you are at your "Last Resort", wonderful things happen to keep you going!
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September 25 - Kenora - 3768 km
Lori and Chris will be attended a fundraiser at the local Saan Store
September 27 - Dryden
Dryden's Saan Store held a fundraiser |
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