‘I’m doing this for health, mobility and recovery,’ says Trevor Redmond as he runs through Woodstock on his coast-to-coast journey
The Fellow in Yellow is on the move. Pictou County, N.S. native Trevor Redmond is currently running through Quebec towards the Ontario border on a coast-to-coast challenge focused on inspiring people like those who inspired him.
Woodstock residents may have noticed the Fellow in Yellow pushing his uniquely designed cart as he ran through town on the hot, muggy Sunday, July 14. The River Valley Sun caught up with Redmond on Lower Main Street as he stopped to talk with an interested resident.
The personable, gregarious Nova Scotian took a moment to escape the heat and share his remarkable story in an air-conditioned car before continuing his journey.
“I’m doing this for health, mobility, and recovery,” said a smiling Redmond, responding to the most obvious question: “Why?”
He explained that the focus of his Fellow in Yellow cross-country run is to reach people and assist them in finding the inspiration that has motivated him since his recovery from a serious leg injury as a 13-year-old in 1986.
“I almost lost my leg when I was hit by a car,” he explained.
Redmond explained the traumatic experience taught him over time to look beyond the limitations that the unfair and unfortunate accident placed upon him and to focus on the appreciation towards those who helped him recover. More importantly, he needs to recognize his own role in his recovery.
Redmond recounted how his several months of treatment at the Victoria General Hospital and his many surgeries helped him appreciate the vital role of healthcare workers. Almost 40 years later, dedicated teams of doctors, nurses and specialists face even greater challenges in a system that too often hinders instead of helping them.
Redmond shares his complete story, including his health and personal history, motivations, philosophy and up-to-date details about the Fellow in Yellow challenge online at www.thereandbackcanada.ca. You can also find him on various social media platforms as the Fellow in Yellow.
One healthcare provider stood out as a personal hero to the teenager. Redmond recounted the care of Victoria General’s head orthopedic surgeon, the late Dr. Patrick McDermott. He explained health issues ended the award-winning surgeon’s medical career at 39 years of age and eventually took his life.
Not only did Dr. McDermott oversee Redmond’s multiple surgeries to repair his mangled leg, but he also helped the teenager realize full recovery was in his own hands.
Sitting in the air-conditioned comfort, Redmond emotionally recounted McDermott’s stern but inspirational efforts to inspire his teenage patient. He recalled one conversation in particular when the doctor encountered Redmond in a wheelchair in the hospital corridor.
“Where are you heading?” McDermott asked.
“I’m heading to the tv room,” Redmond replied.
“Where are your crutches?” the doctor responded.
“They’re on the bed,” countered the teenage patient.
Dr. McDermott then delivered a forceful message that rings clear in Redmond’s memory four decades later.
“Get up off your ass and go get them,” he said. “I didn’t put your leg back together for you to be wheeling yourself back and forth in the hallway, complaining to nurses that you want to go home in a week.”
As he recovered over the years, Redmond gradually learned the importance of remaining active regardless of the barriers that stood in his way. Through research and the inspiration of heroes like Terry Fox and Rick Hanson, he became a dedicated advocate of motion and mobility.
“The worst repetitive injury a person can get is sitting on their but and doing nothing,” he said.
As he recovered from his injury, the teenaged Redmond drew courage from Fox’s 1980 Marathon of Hope, noting if what he could do on one leg symbolized the possibilities for a young man with an injured leg.
Redmond also had the opportunity to meet Hanson and join his foundation, inspiring his ongoing efforts to stay active, on the move and deliver messages to every Canadian he meets.
Luckily, Redmond explained, some of those he met are in a position to do something to improve healthcare delivery and strive to make the world around them accessible to everyone.
In 2017, Redmond met future Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston. While he doesn’t take credit for anything he said leading to future policy, he said Houston at least listened. He also believes Houston listens to the advice of experts in the field of healthcare.
Redmond noted that one of his complaints to Houston surrounded the lack of access to medical records when travelling outside the province. He was happy to see the Houston government address the issue.
The Fellow in Yellow tour is only the latest in his ongoing efforts to stay in motion, communicate with others, and deliver a message about mobility from and to the people.
“The theme of my journey is ‘the more we move, the more we move others.’ he said.
Redmond has moved plenty over the years.
“I’ve travelled over 28,000 kilometres and I’m still moving,” he said.
In various treks and tours over the years, Redmond estimated he walked 11.400 kilometres, biked 14,632, and, as he approached Woodstock, ran more than 2,300.
To ensure the Fellow in Yellow tour was a genuine cross-country journey, Redmond started in Halifax on March 26 but headed to Newfoundland and Labrador before tracking back through Nova Scotia, PEI and New Brunswick as he headed to B.C.
While trying to travel as far as possible each day, Redmond said his focus will remain on meeting people, hearing their stories, and sharing his and their stories with others.
Travelling alone, he camps overnight at the best site he can find. He said kind people along the way have offered beds in hotels and their homes.
Redmond will continue to promote mobility and accessibility, champion the cause of overwhelmed healthcare workers, and promote the vital importance of an active lifestyle.
He encourages everyone to follow the Fellow in Yellow’s progress and learn his message by following him online. Redmond also urges governments, communities, organizations and individuals to prioritize mobility.
You may not have to dress in bright yellow and run from coast to coast to make a difference. Redmond reminds everybody, which he spells “EveryBody,” that being active or helping others be active begins with a first step.
The Fellow in Yellow especially encourages EveryBody to refuse to allow limitations to hinder their motion.
“Because you limp, it does not mean you’re broken. In fact, it displays you’re not.”
