What We Can Learn from Terry Fox
Terry Fox, a Canadian athlete who lost his leg to cancer, embarked on his 1980 Marathon of Hope, a cross-country run to raise money for cancer research. He had to end his quest after 143 days and 5,373 kilometres (3,339 miles) and he died of cancer in 1981, at the age of 22. But his legacy has raised more than Cdn$800 million in his name for cancer research.
Yet that’s not the whole of Terry’s story. He struggled, both physically and mentally. He ran the equivalent of a marathon every single day, sometimes in gale force winds and rain and even snow. In the beginning, he was often disappointed with how few donations he’d receive, and was often angry and frustrated at those who he felt impeded him.
Imagine that. Mile after lonely mile, just him and the road, just him and perseverance. He could not have known at that time how his story would end, or what his impact would be.
The same is true for us as writers. We may never have the kind of global, humanitarian impact as Terry Fox, but that doesn’t make our stories any less valuable. The problem is, when we’re on that lonely highway, mile after mile, word after word, it’s sometimes hard to keep going. Terry did because he had a goal. His drive to raise money and offer hope kept him going.
Think about your goal. Keep it close to you as you struggle and strive. Like Terry, that will keep you going.