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Now, meet the 2024 recipient of the Susan Marshall Fighting Spirit Award, Dan Duffy!

“Since his injury, I’ve watched Dan transform into someone I know he is proud of. He has never let SCI hold him back, despite all the daily challenges that accompany it. From the moment his wheels hit the floor, he’s ready to start a new day with a smile on his face to help others… I am very proud of his determination to never give up and always show up,” shares Elena Pauly, Duffy’s nominator and partner.

Ryan Clarkson, SCI BC Peer Program Coordinator at GF Strong, agrees: “Dan has a natural gift of making peers comfortable, and he does an excellent job at showing recently injured members what is possible in the community.”

Whether he is connecting with peers at SCI BC events, working out at ICORD’s Physical Activity Research Centre (PARC), participating in a research study, or volunteering at GF Strong to support newly injured peers, Duffy is a generous and active member of the SCI community. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he even hosted engaging virtual cooking classes for peers (check him out on Instagram @quadchef). For the past 7 years, Duffy has been pursuing his Bachelor of Therapeutic Recreation at Douglas College. With support from the GRAGOPEAN Scholarship Trust, he is learning how to use leisure activities to improve the health, well-being, and quality of life for people living with disabilities.

“It’s a privilege to win and to be nominated. It’s nice to know that what you’re doing after you have disability, your efforts are being recognized by the people around you. All that I have accomplished since my injury would not be possible without the support of my partner Elena, or my family and friends. Quite often they are the ones who pick me up when I’m down and encourage me to continue on my journey. They are the reason I am the person I am,” Duffy explains.

So, what does having a fighting spirit mean to Duffy? “It’s having resilience and being able to go through hard times, persevere, and come out the other side as a stronger person. What I see as having that fighting spirit is not giving up. I try to live every day like it’s a new one. Just keep on trying to move forward with whatever I’m doing.”

Duffy recalls, “When I was early in my injury, [a coach from BC Wheelchair Sports] shared with me, ‘A lot of doors have closed for you, but a lot of doors have opened as well.’ I really took that advice to heart. Now I’m finishing my Recreation Therapy degree! I’m going to be able to use the knowledge that I’ve learned with my disability and my school to help others. One door closed, another one opened.” At the time of publication, Duffy is completing his final practicum and plans to support people with SCI as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist. We can’t think of anyone better for the job!

The next round of nominations for the Susan Marshall Fighting Spirit Award opens in early 2025. Duffy encourages, “If you think someone is deserving of the award, throw their name in the hat! It’s a great honour. Even though you have a fighting spirit, there’s down days, there’s days that are hard. Receiving this award is a major morale booster.”