Julie Champagne is a Mountie in motion.
The member of the Prince George RCMP has been chosen to be a medal bearer in the 25th anniversary relay of Rick Hansen's legendary Man In Motion wheelchair tour. It is underway now, on its nine-month course retracing the cross-Canada route Hansen wheeled in 1987 before heading off around the world.
Hansen became an international icon for the individual's ability to overcome adversity, face physical challenges by bringing other assets to bear, and rally community support. Each of those chosen for his encore event - Hansen and his relay team are in Prince George on Monday - was selected for doing the same at the local level.
"The relay provides the opportunity for communities to come together, recognize local difference makers, raise awareness about accessibility and inspire a new generation to take action," said Prince George RCMP spokesman Cpl. Craig Douglass, who said Const. Champagne's life story exemplifies Hansen's values.
First she overcame crushing emotional blows during her teen years when her mother died of breast cancer then her brother took his own life. Then, said Douglass, she got hit with physical issues she continues to struggle with but refuses to let tarnish her badge.
"Following a routine surgery in 2007, Julie was diagnosed with a sympathetic nervous system disorder called Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)," he explained. "Although this disability has made her unfit for fully operational police duties, she has continued to strive in other areas of the RCMP."
"Not a dull moment in the RCMP," Champagne said. "Your mind is indeed your biggest weapon, even in police work... It is quite an honour for me to be alongside all of these other Prince George difference-makers and feeling the beat of all the other chosen medal bearers from across Canada."
There are approximately 7,000 medal bearers across the country, all with their own stories of overcoming adversities. Although Hansen will be personally present at key points of the cross-Canada encore tour, it is the medal bearers who each do a segment and hand off to each other along the literal route from coast to coast.
Champagne's boss at the Prince George RCMP detachment, Supt. Eric Stubbs, said she will do her segment of the tour as a worthy ambassador of Mounties everywhere.
"I'm proud of Julie and all that she has accomplished," he said. "Despite some medical setbacks, she comes to work with a positive attitude and willingness to assist in any possible way. She's an excellent representative of the RCMP for the Rick Hansen Relay."
The relay will begin at 4 p.m. at Honda North on 1st Avenue and make it's way through downtown Prince George to Civic Centre Plaza at approximately 6 p.m. A celebration and presentations from Rick Hansen are planned.
For more information, go to www.rickhansenrelay.com.
