Participation Reaps Rewards for Team Dylan

Dylan (left) & Elaine (right) Pallister

For 11-year-old Dylan Pallister, getting a finishers’ medal at the end of a race is incredibly satisfying and rewarding. Dylan lives in Pitt Meadows and has participated in the last two Scotiabank Charity Challenge 5 km races.

Making a Difference

Dylan cherishes each race not just because he’s finished, but because he knows he’s made a difference. He raised funds for the Cerebral Palsy Association of BC (CPABC) in 2015 and 2016. CPABC is just one of over 80 charities participating in the Scotiabank Charity Challenge and it’s a cause close to Dylan’s heart.

Dylan and his family are participating in the 2017 race and raising funds again, under the name Team Dylan. By participating in the 5 km run, he wants to make a positive impact in the life of someone living with cerebral palsy (CP), because he himself lives with CP. While he’s worried in the past about his ability to run due to his CP, he’s made substantial progress from last year’s race. He says he’s improved his stamina and rests assured that the small breaks he takes during the run will keep him going strong.

Preparing for Race Day

The toughest part of training is getting out of breath, he says, but he’s improving. Breathing, stamina and cardiovascular endurance are compromised for many people living with CP. “To prepare for the race, I am running/walking around the local track and also on a local trail,” says the youngster. “So far I am up to 30 minutes non-stop walking and running.”

Dylan participates in wheelchair basketball and swimming once a week and uses walking sticks to help with balance while he does a combination of walking and running.

Dylan said, “I get tired but I feel proud of myself when I finish my exercise/training”.

We’re proud of him too! Through his training and his participation in the Scotiabank Charity Challenge, he’s bringing awareness to cerebral palsy while living a life without limits.