Meet Bob the hero he created the Wobbly Walker Walker-thon
Meet Bob The Hero
Leukemia, bone marrow transplant and stroke survivor Bob Hardy transformed his rollator into a fundraising vehicle
Bob and his Sidekick
Wobbly Walker Walker-thon, September 15, 2013
As I had already done some cycling marathons including one while I had leukemia, I went back to it as a way to get on with life after my battle with cancer. Between 2001 and 2012 I completed 19 marathons and cycled more than 14,900 miles (24,000 km). My first marathon after recovering from cancer was the 220 mile (354-km) Rideau Lakes Tour from Ottawa to Kingston and back. I completed the event in 16 hours and 48 minutes, which is pretty good for a first time. I was pleased and it was great to be alive as well. I competed in every Rideau Lakes Tour from 2001-2007.
Robert Hardy, a Real Life Hero
In 2003 and 2005 I completed the World Transplant Games as a member of the Canadian World Transplant Games Federation team. I competed in Nancy, France in 2003 and London, Ontario in 2005 and I placed 4th in both time trials and 6th in the race.
When did your balance problem first surface? How were you able to adjust to the new limitations?
Robert Hardy, Black belt ju-jitsu
Subsequently I needed two more emergency surgeries and was left with a balance condition. First it just felt like dizziness and then the balance got worse. When I left the hospital in January 2013 my balance was completely off and I felt very disoriented and dizzy. I could not get around at all and it was very frustrating and it was getting very depressing because I couldn’t get any exercise in. I was trying to walk using 2 canes and I could only walk two blocks. The two blocks were already dangerous because I would fall over.
Robert Hardy and friends
My doctors and other people suggested that I should get a walker. I saw the walker at the pharmacy my wife said, “Why don’t you buy one?” I just felt humiliated coming down from racing bicycles to walking with a walker. When I got over the humiliation and purchased it I felt freedom. When I went to my doctor I said, “I just feel free, I can do anything I want now.”
Robert Hardy, a Real Life Hero
I can go shopping on my own. I put an average of 3 miles to 4.5 miles (5 km to 7 km) a day on my walker because I enjoy walking around and feeling free. And that’s what it’s done for me. It’s also given me a different, more positive attitude towards my problem so if this is a permanent issue I can still have a good life and still get around, even with a wobbly head.
What brought you back to community work?
I could move around fast with the rollator. Because of the walker I can even walk competitively. Being a very competitive person and formerly racing bicycles I got into racing my rollator. My fastest so far is a 6.8 mile (11 km) route in 1 hour and 15 minutes with the assistance of the walker. I decided to approach my Terry Fox friends with the idea of a walker-thon called the Wobbly Walker Challenge. I also wanted to get people who need walkers to walk with me as far as they can.
The First Ever Wobbly Walker Walker-thon took place at Alexandria Island Park on September 15, 2013 and it was a huge success. 28 participants were bused in from several of the local nursing homes and retirement community groups. Everyone that borrowed a Hugo rollator because they didn’t own their own walker despite having a mobility problem got to go home with it. Hugo also handed out canes and winter walking aids.
The next walker-thon is happening at the Alzheimer Society Walk For Memories on January 26, 2014 on the walking track of the Glengarry indoor sports complex.
I was described as the Pied Piper during the Terry Fox Wobbly Walker-thon leading the walkers with walkers around the park.
For the Alzheimer’s walk I have included music for the Victory Lap #106. I will be leading the procession of walker walkers playing my clarinet, accompanied by Ian McIntosh (ukulele) and Katie Smith (vocals). Hugo provides walkers for the events. Hugo sponsors the events.
Plans for future walker-thons are underway with more details to come.
For the Alzheimer Walker-thon, I have completed two 13 mile (21 km) training walks and one 9 mile (14 km) training walk. This weekend was my last opportunity to put the pedal to the metal and achieve a time I would feel good about. January 10th 2014 I completed my personal best so far, 13 miles (21 km) which is 105 laps in 2 hours and 40 minutes.
What about your future plans?
This may well be my last walker race. My balance is getting better. Why am I getting better? Because I move (a lot), drink a lot of water and eat real food. This summer I will be racing in the nationals either on my bike or with my walker.
BOB’S WALKER-THON FOR MEMORIES
Sunday January 19th 2014 Cornwall Civic Complex
Saturday January 25th 2014 Canadian International Hockey Academy Rockland
Sunday January 26th 2014 Tim Hortons Dome Alexandria
BOB’S WALKER-THON FOR TERRY FOX
Sunday September 15th 2013 Glengarry Trails Alexandria
Bob’s third walkerthon will be Sunday, August 24th 2014. His goal is 21 km in 2.5 hours with his walker.
Bonneville Lachine Half Marathon
Chemin du musée
Pôle des rapides, 500 Chemin Iroquois, Lachine.
Registration Time: 7 am
Walk Start Time: 8 am
Join us! Bob’s friends at Hugo Mobility will be cheering him on from the Hugo Mobility water tent. Meet the instructors at Yoga Bliss and yoga guru Dr. Bali who still leads an exemplary lifestyle in his nineties! http://www.yogabliss.ca
