Pique Newsmagazine, March 20th, 2008 (Letters to the Editor)

One incredible huge “Thank You” goes out to Grant Lamont. A Chinese delegation of journalists came to Whistler last Friday. Representing Whistler for the Disabled, I was asked by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada to hold a press conference for our honored guests visiting from China.

We started the press conference off by thanking them for visiting Whistler and Canada and introducing ourselves. We then told them how and why I created Whistler for the Disabled and accomplished so much on my own, without funding but with the passionate support of good friends dedicated to helping others out and supporting the Whistler and disabled communities.

Some of the items that were discussed and brought up in the hour-long press conference that I would like to share with everyone:

1. Inclusively and how important it is for people with disabilities to show what they can do.

2. Planning must incorporate people with disabilities into initial planning and not just in band-aids and hand-outs.

3. Spiritual value of the acceptance and inclusion and the healing value it has.

4. Transportation and access in a community and the many good things that Whistler is now trying to do.

5. Economic benefits with many people traveling to destinations that embrace and consider those with disabilities who they are with.

6. Why Whistler and Beijing, along with the rest of the world, need to make sure that there is follow through from the Games and not just let it ride once the spotlight is off.

They asked Grant how much he makes by helping me or if he is volunteering. Grant responded: “I am here as a friend and supporter. It is funny how our society has so much money for sports stadiums and ski jumps but little time for the things that really matter. Hopefully the work Hugh is doing can influence a small degree of change in these attitudes. I know it has with many and with one corporation already benefiting the Whistler Resort community and people with disabilities.”

The delegation thanked us for our time and efforts but were perplexed how one person could do so much with so little support.

They were honoured to meet us and we were honoured to meet them as well. They were all so respectful of everyone; it was nice to see.

Media coverage in China from just one of the journalist’s newspapers is more than 200 million people. There were seven journalists from China in attendance.

Grant Lamont was truly incredible in this press conference with such a large, important delegation. He was as professional as someone who was being paid six figures a year to host such an important information session — but he did it on his own time and expense.

A huge “Thank You” goes out to Grant for helping me out once again. You came through for our community and for the disabled like so many others have for me over the years, time and time again.

Hugh Tollett

Whistler for the Disabled

Vancouver / Whistler