Manley shares journey at We Dream Big

Over 100 individuals convened at Creemore Station On The Green on Saturday night for the We Dream Big fundraiser in support of Clearview- Stayner and St. Luke’s Community food banks. Hosts Robert and Sonja McArthur graciously welcomed attendees to an evening brimming with entertainment.

The evening’s master of ceremonies, Melanie Case from The Peak FM radio, infused the event with liveliness and humour. Guests enjoyed a delectable roast beef dinner crafted by local chefs Malcolm Muth and Otta Zapotocky, complemented by an array of desserts from The Cupcake Queen.

The evening’s guest speaker was Elizabeth Manley, the 1988 Olympic silver medallist. Her captivating narrative touched upon her journey leading up to the 1988 Olympics, filled with challenges such as parental separation and a mental breakdown resulting in hair loss. Despite feeling exhausted and gaining weight without eating, at just 15 years old, she found herself alone at the Lake Placid training facility, three hours away from home. Her mother then took her back to Ottawa, where they sought help from a compassionate psychiatrist, despite financial struggles. Fast forward seven years to the week before the Olympic games, after an interview with a major newspaper about her comeback. However, the front-page article the next day was not what she expected. During the competition, Elizabeth fell ill with a high fever of 104 degrees, unable to take any medication due to drug test regulations. Her coach urged her to withdraw before the long program, but she persisted, making history. Today, she advocates for mental health and was met with a standing ovation.