Terry Fox and Me

As 2020 marks the 40th anniversary of Terry Fox’s Marathon of Hope, it is also an occasion for a few new books about Fox to join the numerous other titles previously published. Perhaps your library already owns Canadian Maxine Trottier’s Terry Fox: a Story of Hope or the very easy-reading, photo-heavy 2015 book in the “Pebbles” series from Capstone Publishers.

A biography in the “Scholastic Canada Biography” series, Meet Terry Fox by Elizabeth MacLeod was reviewed in CM earlier this year. Now we have a picture book treatment of the same subject, as told from the point of view of Doug Alward, Terry Fox’s best friend and the young man who drove the van that accompanied Fox on his bid to run across Canada to raise money for cancer research.

The story began when the two met in junior high school. Terry was struggling to succeed on the basketball court.

The short kid is the worst player. His name is Terry Fox.

The coach say wrestling might be a better sport for him.

But if Terry comes to practice, the coach won’t cut him

from the team. I shouldn’t be glad that I am better than

Terry…but I am.

Terry was already showing the perseverance in honing his skills that became a hallmark of his story. After a few ups and downs in their rivalry, Doug’s efforts to compete in cross-country running – a sport that Terry had no interest in! – made an impression on Terry, and so their connection was forged.

Doug was there through high school and into the beginning of university where it was not long before the pain in Terry’s knee presaged the diagnosis of the cancer and the amputation of 80% of his right leg. Terry and his family were initially devastated, and so was Doug.

Terry is the best athlete that I know. What can he do

with only one leg?

Terry says not to feel sorry for him. Losing his leg is

just a new challenge. After his operation he shows me

a magazine article about a guy with one leg who ran

the New York City Marathon.

“Maybe I’ll run across Canada,” he says.

I believe him.

This short passage is just one of many in the book through which the optimistic spirit of Terry shines through.

Doug stayed by his friend’s side through the trials of Terry’s chemotherapy treatment and the fitting of his prosthesis. Each kept the other feeling positive through it all. The idea of a cross-Canada run started to take shape as a real possibility, and Terry worked, with Doug’s help, on conditioning with strength training and running short distances.

Then Terry needed to have a special leg designed and fitted to the requirements of distance running.

They start with a regular artificial leg for walking. Fibreglass bucket.

Metal shaft. Springs. Gears. Foot made of wood and rubber.

They add special parts for running. Steel hinge for the knee.

Belt to attach the leg. Elastic straps to pull the leg forward.

Still, the heavy artificial leg moves too slowly. So Terry adjusts

his gait: two steps with his good leg while his artificial leg

swings forward.

This was the stride that was shown in newspapers and on television and which became famously symbolic of the undertaking that was Terry’s Marathon of Hope.
The book ends at the beginning of Terry Fox’s amazing run, with Terry and Doug standing on the Newfoundland shore, talking about their plan to make it across Canada. The goal was to cover 42 kilometres each day, and it was met up until the dream had to be abandoned in Thunder Bay, Ontario, after 5373 kilometres and the recurrence of Terry’s cancer.

It will be interesting for young readers to gain understanding of the Marathon of Hope, which spawned school and community runs all over Canada, through the eyes of Terry’s contemporary and friend. The entire narrative is in the first person. Alward’s voice is gentle, often humourous, always admiring, and believably colloquial.

Graphic artist Milan Pavlovic’s amiable illustrations done in pencil, crayon and inks use a palette of greens, blues and yellow. They take readers from the early days through hospital stays and training sessions. Doug, with glasses and slightly unruly long hair, and Terry, with his curly locks, are the focus of almost every scene. A map of the proposed route gives readers an idea of the journey Terry was facing. The last luminous image, which shows the two young men on an Atlantic beach at sunrise, is accompanied by these uplifting lines.

“Just do your best, Terry,” I smile.

“One step at a time.”

And then he starts to run.

At the end of Terry Fox and Me, there are several pages of black-and-white and colour photos and information, including a tribute to Terry and Doug’s friendship written by Terry’s older brother Darrell; a note from Alward summarizing his years with Terry, and a schedule of the Marathon of Hope; and a timeline of Fox’s short life.

Make room for this one in school and public library collections..