Ian Gregson

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Ian Gregson is a disabled activist and author in British Columbia, Canada.

He was born in St Helens, Lancashire, England on September 2, 1962. As a young boy his promising athletic career in track and field seemed to end on May 18, 1978 during his lunch hour at Ashton-in-Makerfield Grammar School (now The Byrchall High School), Ian climbed over a wall onto a railway track and was involved in a terrible accident that resulted in the loss of his right leg above the knee. Undaunted by this physical setback Ian continued his involvement in track and field by taking up shot put and weight training. In September 1981, in "an effort to escape Thatcher-ism", Ian emigrated to Canada with his family.

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[edit] Paralympian

Ian first gained national media attention in the fall of 1982 after completing the first ever Terry Fox Run in Port Coquitlam. Shortly thereafter, Ian began to focus on competing in disability sport events and in 1983 became Canada's top amputee athlete. In 1984 and 1988 Ian represented Canada at the Paralympics, in 1986 after receiving a 4th place at the World Championships in Sweden he became the first athlete with a disability in Canada to receive a post secondary athletic scholarship. In 1987 Ian received the Chevron Canada Award for Post Secondary Sports. After retirement Ian became Chair of the BC Disability Games, overseeing several successful events in his tenure. In 1998 Ian published his first book "Irresistible Force" A History of Disability Sport in Canada, via Raincoast Books in Vancouver.

[edit] SFU

Whilst competing for Canada Ian returned to post-secondary education at VCC Langara and then later to receive his BA in Communications from Simon Fraser University. Ian was the first person in his family to receive a degree. Ian was also the first athlete with a disability in Canada to receive an athletic scholarship. In 2000 Ian returned to SFU to work for the Office of Research Services. Ian now works in the Archaeology department at SFU. He remains active in union activities and events.

[edit] Disability issues

Throughout the 90's Ian wrote for numerous magazines ranging from regular columns in Canada's leading disability and mainstream magazines. This included a controversial article on disability and sex in Larry Flynt's Hustler. As a result Ian gained a reputation as a writer who was not afraid to tackle uncomfortable issues.

[edit] Politics

Introduced to politics via Svend Robsinson and worked on federal NDP campaigns in early 90's In 2001 ran for MLA in Vancouver Hastings as Green Party candidate - received 14% of the popular vote Ran for MLA in 2005 in Vancouver Hastings and received 9% of the popular vote Financial Agent for Vancouver East Green Party 2004-2007 President Vancouver Hastings Constituency 2004-present

[edit] Most Recently

Ian currently lives in the Adanac Co-Op in East Vancouver and is married to textile artist Heather Cameron.

[edit] External links

Ian's web site can be seen at voteforian.ca for his run for the Green Party of British Columbia in the British Columbia general election, 2005.

Other web sites created by Ian Gregson include: