2004 Courage to Come Back Award Recipients

CAMH Foundation 2004 Courage to Come Back Award Recipients

Each year, seven extraordinary Ontarians who have overcome mental illness and/or addiction and now use their experience to help others are honoured for their Courage to Come Back at a gala awards dinner hosted by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Foundation and presented by RBC Capital Markets.

The 2004 Courage to Come Back Award recipients are:

The Honourable James K. Bartleman, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, has had a distinguished career that has spanned more than 35 years in the foreign service, including assignments as Canada's Ambassador and High Commissioner to many countries. By speaking publicly about his personal experience with depression, he is reducing the stigma surrounding mental illness.
Aurel Beauvais of Sudbury has schizophrenia, which almost derailed his promising future. Now president of the Northern Initiative for Social Action in Sudbury, he is a respected community leader and an effective advocate for those facing mental illness.
Dan Carter of Bowmanwille is a successful broadcaster who has overcome addictions and childhood trauma. He is very open about his past, and lends his time to over 150 charitable events each year. In 2003, he received a Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal for outstanding service in his community.
Tracy Holman of Rosseau has Biopolar Disorder which was undiagnosed for many years. She has survived hospitalizations, suicide attempts, and the loss of her youngest children in a custody dispute. Tracy now helps others by dedicating her time to several mental health associations, programs and support groups.
William "Billy" Moore of Cambridge almost lost everything because of his addictions to drugs and alcohol. Today he is a role model. He shares his enthusiasm for off-road racing and his hard-won wisdom with local youth while he continues to grow in his recovery.
Michelle Ruck of Toronto, just 20 years old, has triumphed over abuse, addiction, life on the streets and mental illness. She now studying towards a career in health care. She speaks at forums for health professionals and volunteers at schools and agencies to talk with children.
Linda Stewardson of Thunder Bay endured horrific abuse as a child. She later became addicted to crack/cocaine and heroin and developed anorexia. After a lot of hard work, Linda defeated both her eating disorder and her addictions, and now uses her dynamic public speaking skills to inspire others.

The Courage to Come Back Awards is an annual public awareness and fundraising campaign first launched in 1993. The awards recognize the achievements of people across Ontario who have shown courage and determination in the face of mental illness and addiction. The recipients have achieved personal victories, and now serve as models of hope and inspiration for others facing similar circumstances.