Mr. Speaker, today I rise to share the story of local hockey player and mental health advocate, Kendra Fisher.
Kendra grew up in Kincardine, played minor hockey there, and made it all the way to Team Canada's Olympic program. Issues with mental health ended her dreams of Olympic gold, but with strong family support and true Bruce County grit, Kendra made a comeback to win numerous medals playing in the women's inline world championship.
In her own words, Kendra best describes life since being diagnosed with mental illness, “It has been 12 years since I chose life....I didn't cure it. My mental illness is not gone. It's as much a part of me as is being a goalie, a wife, a daughter, a sister, a mother, a professional speaker.”
Kendra now shares her story to help end the stigma surrounding mental illness with her organization, Mentally Fit.
I thank Kendra for sharing her story. She chose life, and others can too. God bless.