RSI Celebrates the Completion of the Terry Fox Mural
Alexander Bacon and Darrell Fox stand in front the newly unveiled mural of Terry Fox on the Rehabilitation Sciences Building on University Avenue (all photos by Lisa Lightbourn)
By
Jessica Boafo
On October 20th, members of the Fox family, the City of Toronto, University of Toronto and guests from the RSI and Rehab Sector communities gathered to celebrate the completion of the Terry Fox Mural that now lives on the north side of the Rehabilitation Sciences Building – home to the Rehabilitation Sciences Institute.
Inspired by the legacy of the Canadian hero and the route he took through the city in 1980 during his Marathon of Hope to raise money for cancer research, the mural’s chosen location also symbolizes the future of rehabilitation research for RSI.
“Our research program is about training future generation of scientists and researchers who will be continue to be inspired by Terry Fox’s vision of hope through research,” said Luc De Nil, Associate Director of RSI and professor in the department of Speech-Language Pathology in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine.
Among honoured guests included U of T’s chief operating officer, property services and sustainability, Ron Saporta, University-Rosedale Councillor and U of T alumnus Mike Layton and Terry’s own younger brother, Darrell Fox, whose words reminded us all of what Terry stood for.
“Terry wasn't about recognition. His focus was raising money for cancer research. I think he’d be pretty thankful and proud as much as he’d prefer to see others who are going through cancer now featured on this mural.”
Initiated by a partnership between U of T, the City of Toronto and the Legacy Art Project, the mural was designed by selected artists Alexandar Bacon, Que Rock and their team of 20 people which took nearly a year to complete and the use of over 400 cans of spray paint.
With the project’s advisory committee identifying early on that the mural should reflect the legacy of hope Terry Fox left for persons with disabilities and their ability to participate and inspire, RSI is honoured to be associated with a message reflective of its own work on its walls.
“We are committed to ensuring that many students, staff and faculty continue to be aware of his incredible story and the mural will be a visual reminder of that.”
