Tales from the Trail

Louise talks about how she met Chad and the year she "filled Chad's shoes"

I met Chad first online through the message boards on the WEBC site. When I finally met him in person on Day Zero I was very surprised as I had expected a younger person. For those that don’t really know Chad he is a huge flirt and that is why I thought he would be younger. Just didn’t expect that kind of behavior out of an older person. Not that I’m any spring chicken but just the impressions you get from online chats. That first year I just had a picture taken with him and carried on my way on the walks. The following year we kept in contact and he invited me to accompany him to an awards ceremony that was recognizing him for his accomplishments in the community. I was his official photographer and had a fantastic time. After that we kept in touch and I walked with him more and more in subsequent years. In 2008 I was his spokesperson and personal photographer and my husband Paul joined us for the Toronto and Montreal walk. This was also the year of the infamous double city - Toronto and Vancouver on the same weekend. Luckily day zero still existed, while Chad was on the treadmill doing 30k I was working his table. We got up that morning, walked Toronto for 32k, then a quick Stella at Downsview and off to the airport. Leaving Paul behind to finish Toronto and win the bra contest on behalf of Chad as we were in the air. I had also arranged for a firefighter in Vancouver to carry a life size picture of Chad in his bra from the Ottawa competition, he won as well!!! We had such a blast that year.

Early January 2009, I received a phone call from Chad. I had not heard from him for a while but wasn’t really concerned as that’s how it is sometimes with him. He started out the call typical small talk then I asked him what was up. He proceeded to tell me that he had lung cancer. I was floored to say the least. He then tells me they think he has a year at best. My mind is going crazy, I can’t believe this. Here is the spokesperson for the cause now being stricken himself with this horrible disease! He then tells me that no one else knows and I can’t tell anyone! For several weeks it was eating at me and each and every time I would speak to him I begged him to tell someone else. It was such a huge burden for me to carry. He finally contacted Randy Mellon as I knew how close she was to him and felt she needed to know. She was as stunned as I was and after speaking with him immediately contacted me. I felt like a bit of weight had been taken off, having someone else to share this with, to discuss it with. I guess that’s how he felt when he told me. He had been carrying it for some time and just needed to get it out there. Over time we discussed the upcoming walks and what was going to transpire and made some plans.

It was shortly into February when I decided I must throw him a surprise 60th birthday party that May. On one hand to celebrate such a wonderful friend and great inspiration but also deep inside I am thinking this may be his last one, I have to do this. I started contacting friends, relatives, neighbors and walkers. I arranged a dinner cruise in the Toronto Harbor. All this time as I am planning it, Chad is thinking it’s a fundraiser and was preparing his things to sell!! Needless to say he was so shocked when he stepped aboard and the first faces he sees are his Sister Viesia and his beautiful nieces, Sharla, Alisia, Michelle & Lianne. His first words to me were “ You Beotch!!!” It was a great party, and a wonderful time and many butterflies were there. Still only Randy, myself and my husband Paul were aware of his illness. It was at this time that I decided to do a tribute tattoo to Chad. He had told me his motto was the Robert Bach quote “ What the caterpillar calls the end of life, the master calls a butterfly”. I had my son design butterfly and cocoon images with the quote which runs from my instep across my foot and up my ankle. I display this tattoo proudly and anyone that asks about it hears Chad’s story. The Butterfly of Hope team name is based on this quote and Chad’s motto.

That summer I decided I needed to do as many walks with him as possible. Someone needed to document what a difference this man had made and I wanted to do it via photos. As we walked in each city he would explain to those close to him that he had cancer. In each and every case they would look at me over his shoulder with tears and questions in their eyes. I nodded yes to each of those tear streaked faces. Edmonton, the first walk out of Ontario I decided I had to be there. So I used my Airmiles to fly out. I had made arrangements for a friend to get me at the airport. It was a close call as Chad’s plane arrived just 10 minutes behind me. I was having a fit he would come out of the arrivals and see me but luck was on my side. That morning I dressed up as an elderly overweight woman. My sleeping bag provided my backside and my pillow my front. I had glasses, straw hat, cane and the ugliest house dress imaginable. I approached Chad just before the walk started and asked to buy a pin in my oldest old lady voice I could imagine. Chad says “I’m sorry dear, I don’t have any with me right now but will tonight if you happen to come to camp”. I then drop my glasses down my nose and he once again used that endearing name for me, yes the one that starts with “B”. He grabbed me in the biggest bear hug I have ever received. I stripped down as I had my walking gear on and proceeded to walk Edmonton with him. I surprised him also in Montreal that year and again walked with him. I became his "Chadow" and was proud to call myself that. All in all, I did 4 walks that year with Chad and am so glad I had the opportunity to do so and document it in my pictures.

As we walked we talked about 2010 and Chad admitted he needed to take some time for himself to deal with his treatment and heal so I agreed to walk for him in each city. He thought that was wonderful but being Chad, decided that wasn’t enough. He challenged me to get 34 additional walkers to join me in each city representing his 35 walks. I took the challenge and put out the word. I thankfully had my amazing co-captains Natalie, Sophie, Sacha, Sarah and Manon, who helped to organize the teams locally including fundraisers and team meetings. It was an incredible gathering of wonderful people all with one common denominator, and that was Chad. Out of love, respect and honor they jumped on the teams from across the country. Some even walked in several cities with me. Others helped me to reach my minimum target as it was quite the task to raise $12,000.00 and get myself to each city. A couple put me up for the night and even assisted with transportation. I could not have done it without them and am very grateful that they helped me to make his wish come true. It was a difficult task and in some cities we didn’t quite make it but in others we exceeded his wishes. Ultimately we had over 200 team mates and we raised over $500,000.00 across Canada. We met his challenge and surpassed it!

The first walk was Ottawa in June. The weather was horrendous, pouring, cold, muddy but we walked on. On day one shortly after arriving at camp I checked in with Papa B (Chad). I was having a niggling suspicion that he might show up given we weren’t that far away. I asked him where he was and he lied through his teeth, told me he was at home in Stoney Creek. Little did I know he was in Nepean at a friend’s house having dinner. That evening after the team competition, which we won, as we are strutting down the stage suddenly I hear Jonathan yell “Louise, turn around”. And who is standing there but Chad. I totally lost it, I was a crying blubbering mess. He presented me with a sketch of himself and I based on a photo from the Globe and Mail from the Calgary 2009 walk. I now have this beautiful piece proudly hanging in my front room for all to see when they come to my home. I have so many memories from that year but most of all it was the anticipation of if/when he would show up throughout the events as I knew once he came to Ottawa he had to come to them all. In Edmonton he dressed as a firefighter and joined our team picture without our knowledge until Edwin told him to get out of the picture. In each city he would arrive, we never knew when, first thing day one, camp that night or finish line day 2 but we knew he would be there. Had it not been for Chad’s inspiration the first time I met him I probably would have stopped after my first walk. But once I knew him I could not walk away, I had to walk again and continue to do so. Chad has made such an impact on my life, he is family now and I will cherish his friendship always.

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