Nova Scotia artist Glen McMinn was listening to a podcast that featured hockey participant Jake Thibeault when he realized of the athlete’s injury and paralysis.
“It was very arduous to listen to that on the level of the accident, his dad was behind the glass the place it occurred, and you may think about any father or mother’s worst worry is that,” mentioned McMinn.
Whereas taking part in hockey within the Boston space, Thibeault suffered a spinal cord injury that left him paralyzed. Since then, the 19-year-old has been coaching so he can stroll once more.
“I’m doing rigorous [physiotherapy] and simply attempt to work out 5 days per week,” mentioned Thibeault.
Thibeault impressed McMinn to companion with Bruins star Brad Marchand — Thibeault’s favorite participant — to assist fundraise for the younger athlete.
“I wanted to assist the place I might, and I believed by means of my portray and creating prints, I might. I do know Brad by means of some of us and so I reached out to him to see if he’d be all for partnering on this and it was an instantaneous sure,” mentioned McMinn.
From there, McMinn held a sequence of interviews with Marchand so his portray might inform the NHL star’s story. McMinn painted and created a print of Marchand’s hockey glove. Sixty-three of them –- Marchand’s jersey quantity — can be auctioned off to help Thibeault’s medical care.
Thibeault mentioned the help has been not like something he’s ever seen.
“It’s simply superb, his skill to create one thing so distinctive and personable to each myself and Brad Marchand,” mentioned Thibeault.
As Jake continues his restoration, his recommendation to others is to set objectives and attempt to perform them.
“You’re the one accountable for them, nobody else. In my case, no physician will inform me I gained’t stroll once more as a result of I’m going to show them improper.”
The unique portray is now in Boston with Marchand, however the participant and artist signed the prints. Proceeds will go to Jake’s GoFundMe web page.
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