Rolling On: The Story of the Amazing
Gary McPherson
By Gerald W. Hankins; 190 pages; published by University of Alberta Press
Rolling On is the story of Gary McPherson, an Alberta man who contracted
polio at the age of nine and was left as a quadriplegic. As one might expect,
the book chronicles his struggles and successes in overcoming the adversity
that life dealt him, but it is about so much more than that. It's also a warm
tribute to the many people who touched Gary's life. From the nurses and orderlies
at the University of Alberta Hospital where he lived for 34 years, to other
respiratory polio patients with whom he shared the polio ward of the hospital,
and even famous people such as Gene Autry, Wayne Gretzky, and Stephen Hawking;
they all played a part in Gary's amazing journey.
Despite having only a small bit of mobility in his left hand and leg, Gary
approaches everything he does with an optimistic 'why not?' attitude. In the
1960s, he and fellow polio ward residents started their own computer programming
company, which operated for ten years. Gary later went on to become executive
director of the Canadian Wheelchair Sports Association, general manager of
the Alberta Northern Lights Wheelchair Basketball Team, co-chair of the Alberta
Man in Motion committee, and chair of the Alberta Premier's Council on the
Status of Persons with Disabilities. He is currently the executive director
of the Canadian Centre for Social Entrepreneurship. No matter what he tries,
the focus is always on what he can do, not what he can't do.
In fact, when one is reading about Gary's many accomplishments it's easy to
forget that this is a man who has spent the majority of his life without the
use of his limbs. Biographer Gerald Hankins does a wonderful job of weaving
together historical tidbits, humorous anecdotes from Gary's family and friends,
and commentary about the great strides that have been made for people living
with disabilities - thanks in part to Gary's seemingly tireless efforts to
advocate for the disabled.
Rather than simply dwelling on the many trials and heartbreaking ordeals that
Gary has had to work through in his life, Rolling On is a poignant
reminder that everyone has the ability to make a valuable contribution to
society. Gary's story shows us that nothing should get in the way of that.
Buy the book:
Canada: buy through Amazon.ca: CDN$23.95
International: buy through Amazon.com: US$16.97
