If you want to know about intrinsic motivation, just look at Terry Fox. He had an idea: He wanted to raise money for cancer research by running across Canada. He would do it by running a marathon a day. He would do it on one real leg and one artificial leg. He was not paid. All donations went to cancer research. In the end he ran 3339 miles in 143 days and had to stop; His cancer had returned.
He did not have a special skill. He was not a stand out athlete. It was his determination, his intrinsic motivation that inspired a nation. He is a Canadian Hero.
Great inspirational story. Also Dick Traum from NY, who was an inspiration for Terry. He was the first amputee to run the NYC marathon and founded the Achilles Club which has grown to hundreds of chapters worldwide. He was supposed to meet up with Terry but unfortunately it never happened.
ReplyDeleteIt is great that Steve Nash's 30 for 30 documentary on Terry Fox has brought Terry's story to so many more people (it is an aside but the 30 for 30 series is fantastic!). I had the chance to be a high school principal in Port Coquitlam - Terry's hometown - and it was amazing seeing the community celebrate Terry and participate in the Terry Fox Run.
ReplyDeleteI still have my scrapbook from grade 1 when I cut out all the articles about Terry from the local paper.
I am doing a project about him and its really hard so thanks. This was really well written!
ReplyDelete