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Browning reunites with cancer survivor
Wish: Woman met figure skater 20 years ago while she was undergoing treatment as a teenager
| Source: |
Telegraph-Journal |
| Date: |
December 21, 2011 |
| Author: |
Sandra Davis |
SAINT JOHN - Canadian figure skater Kurt Browning hasn't changed a bit
in the past 20 years, says Krista Wilkins.
"He's very down to earth, humorous, gentle, kind and appreciative that
somebody respects the work that he's done," she said.
Wilkins spent a full day with him two decades ago in Edmonton, Alta.,
watching him practice, compliments of the Children's Wish
Foundation. Wilkins had been diagnosed with cancer the year before, at
age 16.
On Monday night, Wilkins met her hero for a reunion at Harbour Station
where she and her family got to spend about a half-hour with the
four-time World and Canadian national figure-skating champion.
Browning and other elite figure skaters were in Saint John for an
event dubbed Celebration on Ice that featured holiday-inspired
routines.
"I thought it would be neat to show him that it's 20 years later, I'm
doing well, and how much of an inspiration he was," Wilkins
said.
"I have told my story of meeting Kurt Browning over and over."
When Wilkins was undergoing chemotherapy treatment for her cancer 20
years ago, it was Browning who encouraged her, she says.
"The one thing that kept me going was spending nights with the nurses
and being able to watch figure skating on TV.
"It was quite inspirational and got me through a lot of those nights
where I was quite sick," she said.
Wilkins has followed Browning's career ever since.
"I've been inspired by his work on the ice and his ability to keep
going, despite any losses he may have had."
Wilkins took her scrapbook of their first meeting to Harbour Station
with her on Monday.
"We had pictures of him when he had hair," she said, laughing.
"He said, 'oh, I can remember that.' So it was an opportunity for him
to reflect and think back to 20 years ago and where he was and where
he is now.
"He commented on how appreciative he was to see me 20 years later. He
said it was good for him to see that, despite complications and health
problems, I've done quite well.
"He said that was inspiration for himself.
"I'm still on cloud nine."
In fact, photographer Peter Walsh overheard Browning tell fellow
skating champion, Olympian Joannie Rochette, that he wanted her to
meet Wilkins.
"She was a wish child 20 years ago and I met her," Browning told
Rochette.
"She's a real inspiration."
Wilkins, who has had two bouts with cancer and undergone two
amputations, said Browning told her he is impressed by her
tenacity.
"Kurt said, 'you're walking with two artificial legs. I don't know how
you do it.
" 'I don't know how I'm going to make out with this skate tonight. I'm
feeling old. I'm feeling the pain, ' " he told her.
Browning is 45 years old.
Wilkins, who's 36 now, has a PhD in cancer control and is an assistant
professor in the nursing faculty of UNB Fredericton.
Her reunion with Browning wasn't the only excitement of the
evening.
A figure skater in the show was proposed to by a young man in the
crowd, with the help of Browning, of course.
"Kurt was doing all of the thank yous to the sponsors, then said
something to the young man who took the mic and proposed," Wilkins
says.
On Monday, the fondness Wilkins has felt for Browning for most of her
life came rushing back.
"I was really pleased that I was able to share that experience with my
family.
"He took time out of his schedule yesterday.
"It was important to him and for him. It's not just a job, it's much
more than that.
"It's reaching out and meeting with people that are so inspired by the
work that he does."
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