Courage to Come Back Awards: Foundation Annual Report 2003/2004

Extraordinary People

The Courage to Come Back Awards, CAMH Foundation's signature event, celebrate the extraordinary courage of seven individuals who are overcoming the challenges of living with addiction and mental illness, and have chosen to use their experiences to contribute to the community.

Recipients were selected from nominations received from across the province. With over 800 people in attendance, recipients were honoured on May 20 at the Courage to Come Back Awards Dinner, presented by RBC Capital Markets, at the Westin Harbour Castle Conference Centre in Toronto.

For Courage to Come Back Contributor Listings, please see the PDF version of the 2003/2004 Annual Report.

We invite you to meet the 2004 Courage to Come Back Award recipients:

Michelle Ruck of Toronto has triumphed over abuse, addiction, life on the streets and mental illness.  She is just 20 years old. 

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 Bowmanville 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 recieved 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.

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.

 

 

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