Barrhead is an inclusive community.
Whether or not one is newly arrived to the community, or if there are limitations on ones cognitive or physical abilities, regardless of our individual faith or sexual orientations, residents can take pride in the knowledge that every effort has been extended to ensure each and every one of us feels accepted.
To illustrate this, the editorial staff of the Barrhead Leader elected to utilize this space to recognize one of our residents, who has been honoured with a national award.
He is a post-secondary student as well as a small business owner and chances are most of you know him.
Eric Vriend, owner of Eric’s Gym and an outstanding community member who was born with a developmental disorder, exudes positivity, as any of you who have met him can attest and he has never, to the best of the Leader’s staff and his own father, ever let life take him down, no matter the obstacle.
On March 21, Vriend was honoured by the Canadian Down Syndrome Society as the recipient of the ‘Advocate of the Year’ award.
To be nominated, Vriend had to meet certain requirements.
He had to embody the organization’s slogan ‘See The Ability’, be a positive force in the community and of course, be a great role model.
Eric is all three.
That, to quote CDSS’ communications manager Kaitlyn Pecson, is a huge deal.
Eric is the first person outside of Edmonton to be honoured and impressed the judging committee because of his business, and by extension, Eric’s Army as well.
As you will read on Page 2A, he is using the prize money attached to his award to found a scholarship or bursary at Barrhead Composite High School.
One of the reasons Vriend was so honoured is because he owns Eric’s Gym despite his disability.
Kudos are certainly deserved and we would suggest, if you have the chance, to stop by his gym and offer congratulations.
In light of the ongoing issue between the town and the county regarding recreation and some of the unsportsmanlike behaviour we have seen by a small minority of fans at recent hockey games, one thing is certain.
We could all learn from Eric.
Good job and congratulations!
