Michael Hamilton’s Walk to Remember
May 27, 1972 was a life-changing day for Michael Hamilton. That was the day that he was struck by a car while on Pelee Island; the accident left Mike with a brain injury. While it might be a day that most people would want to forget, Mike is determined to commemorate the 40th anniversary of his accident by journeying from his home in London, Ontario to Pelee Island.
Mike will walk the 190+ kilometres from London to Pelee Island beginning on May 16, 2012, with plans to then take the ferry to the Island on May 26, 2012 so that he can be on the Island for May 27th. When on the Island, Mike will reunite with Maureen (Mo), a Nurse that saved his life on that day.
The route will take Mike from London through Komoka, Mt Brydges, Melbourne, Appin, Glencoe, Newbury, Wardsville, West Lorne, Rodney, Thamesville, Ridgetown, Chatham, Blenheim, Tilbury, Windsor, Essex, Kingsville, Wheatley and Leamington, before he’ll board the ferry to Pelee Island.
Mike is seeking pledges for the walk. Funds raised will be shared equally by the brain injury associations in the communities where Mike is walking, including: the Brain Injury Association of London and Region, the Brain Injury Association of Chatham-Kent, and the Brain Injury Association of Windsor & Essex County. Or, where specified by those who make a pledge, funds will be directed solely to the participating brain injury association of their choice.
Mike says that he was inspired the day we saw Terry Fox in London. He decided that, one day, he wanted to honour those that helped him on the day of his accident and during his recovery, by helping to raise funds that help to operate local brain injury programs. “This walk will help me to show my gratitude for all those who assisted me in the years since my accident”, says Hamilton. “As well, it will help me to transform what was easily the worst day of my life into a positive memory, … about a day that I gave back.”
“We applaud Mike. The fact that he’s making such a long walk, as a survivor of a brain injury, as a means of raising awareness and funding is very commendable”, says New Beginnings Club, Brain Injury Association of Chatham-Kent Executive Director, Lori Gall. ”Those wishing to support Mike, and thereby the Club here in Chatham-Kent, may contact New Beginnings at 519-351-0297 to make a pledge.”
