Jim Terrion will soon be calling Prince George home, the popular and well known citizen, best known for his amazing fundraising at Terry Fox Run time has decided that life’s path will take him to larger centre in the interior in the near future.
Terrion is relocating in order to become better versed in sign language and to be able to put it into daily use, something that doesn’t happen with a lot of regularity here in Rupert.
Perhaps one of the most recognized persons in town, especially as August turns to September; he still plans on taking part in the Canadian tradition each September here in his home town. As he continues on his path towards raising a million dollars for the Terry Fox Foundation, a goal that gets closer and closer each year.
While he says he'll miss his hometown, he plans on keeping a picture on the wall. Perhaps the Mayor can help out there, I'm sure the city can find a suitable photo to be framed for the ambassador for Prince Rupert.
The Daily News had a heartwarming story about the young man in its Monday edition.
Terry Fox sensation is hitting the road
By Patrick Witwicki
The Daily News
Monday, August 14, 2006
Pages One and Three
Prince Rupert will soon say goodbye to one of the city’s most impressive citizens, but the Terry Fox Foundation won’t
Jim Terrion – who has raised more than $400,000 for the Terry Fox run in the past 15 years – will be moving to Prince George following this years Run in September. However, that doesn’t mean that Rupert has seen the last of Terrion, who plans to return every summer to continue raising money for the foundation.
Terrion, who is unable to hear or speak, visited the Daily News Monday morning, and responded to questions in writing.
“Yes, I plan to attend the Terry Fox Run every year from August to September,” he wrote. “I can walk for the Terry Fox Run in Prince Rupert,”
“I don’t want to walk in Prince George.”
Terrion’s reasons for moving to PG are pretty simple. In the bigger city, he will have more opportunity to learn and use sign language, and will also be able to make more friends.
It’s been recommended by his psychiatrist,” said Faye Terrion, his mother. “It’s better for him to be around people he can use sign language with.
“He’s sad about it, but I told him it’s time he starts thinking about his own life.”
The move to Prince George has been on Terrion’s mind for two and a half years.
“I need to talk more to deaf friends,” he wrote.
There are about 20-25 deaf people in Prince George.
”I need more words for my mind.”
Terrion is still determined to raise as much money as possible for the Terry Fox Foundation, and has already raised $3,100 in the first 13 days this year, leading up to this years Run on September 17.
“My goal (is to raise) one million dollars,” he wrote. “I will keep working at the Terry Fox Run for life.”
Back in April, Terrion was recognized by the provincial government for his work, and Premier Gordon Campbell presented him with the British Columbia Community Achievement medallion.
Faye Terrion pointed out that Jim Terrion would probably already be close to that goal of one million, if he had started fundraising earlier than 1991, “if he had known how to do it.”
But it wasn’t until Terrion walked across Canada to raise awareness for the deaf in 1990 that he realized he could fundraise, despite being deaf and unable to speak.
Going forward then, Terrion also plans to be down in Port Coquitlam, Terry Fox’s home town, for his 20th year of raising money for the Foundation.
“We were down there before,” said Faye Terrion.
“And Jim walked with Rick Hansen, but Rick was too fast for him.”
Rick Hansen confined to a wheel chair, raised money for spinal cord research by traversing the world in his wheelchair on the “man in motion.” tour back in 1985.
As for Jim Terrion, he isn’t officially moving to Prince George until after September 17, and he agrees that he will definitely miss Prince Rupert once he leaves town.
“I feel sad,” he wrote. “I will miss Prince Rupert.
“But I will keep a framed picture of Prince Rupert on the wall.”
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