Courage to Come Back Award Recipients

Robin Harvey, Toronto, - is an award-winning journalist with the Toronto Star, and has been motivated, driven and hard-working throughout her life.  She also lived with undiagnosed bipolar disorder for many years.  Robin has learned to manage her illness, and helps others buy speaking out about her challenges, volunteering with numerous organizations and writing about mental illness with powerful conviction.

 Singer-songwriter Amy Sky us a three-time Juno Award nominee and a winner of three SOCAN awards.  She has written songs for artists such as Olivia Newton-John, Reba McEntire and Diana Ross.  Since experiencing postpartum depression, she uses her unique voice to generate awareness about the illness, and stresses the importance of getting help.

 Jessica Weihrich, Smith Falls, struggled with unmanageable addictions to morphine, heroin and crack before she turned 16.  At her lowest point, she weighed 80 pounds, her teeth were rotting and her body was a canvas of black and blue.  Jessica decided to fight back and has emerged stronger then ever.  She now works with many organizations to speak to youth about her past, in the hope that it will deter those who may be thinking about trying drugs.

 Doug Cridland, Fort Frances, - Before he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at 18, Doug's erratic behaviour was alarming to his family.  Doug has managed not only to meet the challenges of living with his illness but to thrive.  He is a devoted husband, a loving father and a dedicated community worker who continually inspires others with bipolar disorder to take control of their lives.

 Hope McCron, Mactier, - is a mother of four who, when faced with the possibility of losing her family, overcame her addiction to alcohol.  Her determination to stay sober and her courage to confront her grim past have served to make her a role model to others facing similar problems.

 Jay Fewkes, Baden, - Jay's addiction to crystal meth and heroin was triggered by the tragic loss of his beloved sister and cousin when Jay was a teenager.  Jay survived a near-fatal car accident at 23: given another chance at life, he overcame his substance use problems and now works as a carpenter.  He uses his experience to speak to young people about the dangers of substance use, and how they can avoid making the same mistakes that he made