Justin McKenna was just days short of graduating from St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic High School when the ATV he was riding struck a car. The accident left him in a coma for weeks and it was nearly a year before he was able to come home from hospital. Today Justin continues his rehabilitation, working daily on regaining his strength and mobility.
The Justin McKenna Wheelchair Challenge is a Wheelchair Basketball Tournament held at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Russell, Ontario.
In the first installment of this annual event, the Junior Girls Basketball Teams from Russell High School, Ecole secondaire catholique d’Embrun, and St. Thomas played against each other to help raise funds for Justin's rehabilitative needs. With the help of the St. Thomas Aquinas teacher Kathy Mack, who is reintroducing Justin to school through her religion and chemistry classes and who describes the young man as a “fighter”, the public helped raised over $7300.
Special guest referee Corey Smith officiated in the games between the STA Ravens, the Russell High School Timberwolves and the Cyclones d’Embrun. Smith is an outstanding wheelchair athlete and a role model for persons with disabilities. Just 15 when he was paralyzed by an illness, he took up wheelchair basketball with a vengeance, earning a slew of medals for the junior national team in national and international competitions. In 2006 Smith won the United Nations Celebration of Youth award for his leadership in advocating for persons with disabilities, along with his role as mentor and coach within the City of Ottawa.
The 2009 version of The Challenge will pit various teams of players from all walks of life. Funds raised will go towards tuition for Justin, who intends to enroll at Carleton University next year. The Public is encouraged to stop by St. Thomas and cheer on the participants. You won't know who is playing (and you might be suprised) if you don't attend.
For more information contact Craig Salmon at 613-851-7700 or coach@russellbasketball.net.
Donations can be made out to “Justin in Trust” at the Scotia Bank in Russell.