Tinker’s
example inspires and motivates community
Every community has people
who inspire and motivate others. One such person is Gary Tinker in Pinehouse
Lake in northern Saskatchewan. Tinker was born with cerebral palsy,
but this disability has never stopped him. Born in Pinehouse Lake in
1967, Tinker maintains a positive attitude and considers himself fortunate
that the cerebral palsy affected only his legs and not his upper body.
Surgeries on Tinker’s
legs done in Saskatoon in the period between 1978 and 1980 helped to
straighten some of the muscles to enable his legs to reach the ground
and provide support when he is moving about with crutches. Tinker is
able to speak and communicate effectively in both Cree and English,
calling others to join his crusade to make northern communities better
places to live.
Growing up, Tinker was aware
that there was nothing in the northern regions of Saskatchewan to help
people with disabilities. Tinker remembers one day in May 1989 when
he was 21 years old. “I was sitting on a rock in my mother’s
back yard looking out over Pinehouse Lake, just enjoying the beautiful
spring day with beautiful green grass at my feet and flowers beginning
to bloom. I began thinking about what I wanted to do with the rest of
my life. I started thinking that there was nothing here for people with
disabilities. What is going on? Then I had an idea! Why not walk all
the way to Regina to make people aware that there is no help for people
with disabilities in this part of the province. When this idea came
to me my heart began to sing!”
It took time for Tinker to
convince the mayor and council of Pinehouse Lake that he was capable
of walking all the way to Regina and, more importantly, that the walk
would effectively highlight the needs of people with disabilities. After
much discussion and deliberation by the mayor and council Tinker was
given permission with the stipulation that he get a doctor’s approval
for this adventure. Tinker did get the approval of a specialist provided
he gain some weight. Tinker weighed only 71 pounds at the time. Tinker
did gain weight, and on Aug. 1, 1989 he began his solo walk from La
Ronge to Regina. With great determination, courage and worn-out shoes,
Tinker completed the 650-kilometre walk on crutches from La Ronge to
Regina.
As a result of Tinker’s
courageous walk, a steering committee was set up and from this the Gary
Tinker Federation was established. The federation with offices in La
Ronge allows people with disabilities residing in northern Saskatchewan
access to jobs, training and education.
So that the focus on needs
for people with disabilities remained clear, last year Tinker sky dived
from a small plane at 10,500 feet to continue his lifelong passion of
making life better for people with disabilities in the north, and to
fulfil a dream. It also marked the 20th anniversary of his historic
walk to Regina.
Such determination, valour
and generosity are not lost on the people of Pinehouse. They celebrated
this remarkable young man of their community with a big 20th anniversary
feast followed by gifts from the community: special shoes so Tinker
can continue to perform great feats, and a brand new four-wheeler and
helmet to help his shoes last longer as Tinker continues his mission.
Recently, Tinker was selected
to be a national representative for the Métis National Council
and Canadian Council for Rehabilitation and Work federally funded initiative:
Increasing Employability for Métis with a Disability. He is one
of 15 people from British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan
and Ontario who will meet regularly to develop a resource for counsellors
to better serve Métis, and all Aboriginal clients who have a
disability.
Tinker is often seen in the
community walking about on crutches or riding his four-wheeler, and
always with a big smile and wave of his hand, greeting people. The people
of Pinehouse are grateful to Tinker for the inspiration he provides.
Look about your own community.
Who needs to be celebrated?
For more information about
the Gary Tinker Federation see the website: www.garytinker.ca
Collaborating on this story were Ida Ratt, Gary Tinker and Sister Iva Gregory, OP.
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