2005 Courage to Come Back Award Recipients

Courage to Come Back Award winners 2005: (left to right) Justin Perkons,  Henry Albert Josiah, Paulette Walker, Mary Walsh, Robert Ramsay, Craig Hurst and Mary-Jane Dolbeck (click on image for larger version).

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 2005 Courage to Come Back Award recipients are:

Mary-Jane Dolbeck of North Bay is a mother, grandmother and student who overcame depression and an addiction to drugs and alcohol. By adopting an active lifestyle, Mary-Jane recovered. Though she is proud of all that she has achieved, she is most proud of the inspiration she gives her 13 grandchildren through her work as a volunteer to help those overcome similar obstacles.

Craig Hurst of Shanty Bay (near Barrie) was stigmatized because of his diagnosis with bipolar affective disordeand found himself working in the factory where he had once been Vice-President. Craig's first hand knowledge of the important role of work in recovery encouraged him to create employment and entrepreneurial opportunity networks across Canada for people recovering from mental illness. 
 
Henry Albert Josiah of St. Thomas was a performer and television personality throughout the 1960's, but his diagnosis of schizophrenia threatened to take all that away. Today, at 65, he works as a volunteer and continues to perform, once again entertaining fans with his charming voice and rhythmic melodies.

Justin Perkons of Ottawa not only lives with schizophrenia, he thrives. Justin, a 20-year-old college student, is a strong advocate for those living with mental illness. He now speaks to youth in order to spread understanding and to battle the stigma.
 
Robert Ramsay of Toronto has led a life characterized by achievement, serving as speechwriter to Premier William Davis; but perhaps his most significant achievement is his triumph over addiction and depression. Robert continues to help others by raising awareness and inspiring people with his mantra: "Get help. Now. Act Now. Do not delay."

Paulette Walker of Toronto was a beauty queen with a 20-year addiction to cocaine. Paulette survived years of abuse and personal trauma. Her dependence on crack cocaine led to the loss of her child, her home, her business and any hope of a future. So she thought. Through the treatment programs available to her at CAMH, Paulette has rebuilt her life and now works as a chef. She regularly speaks to inmates in various jails, encouraging them to turn their lives around.

Mary Walsh is one of Canada's most recognized television and film personalities, yet many do not know of the struggles she overcame. Mary battled years of alcohol addiction as a way to cope with childhood feelings of abandonment. She was able to turn her pain into a passion for drama, and emerged as one of Canada's true success stories.

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 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.

 

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