Ian Gregson

Ian Gregson (born September 2, 1962) is an actor, musician, activist and author in British Columbia, Canada.

He was born in St Helens, Lancashire, England. 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 was involved in an 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, Ian emigrated to Canada with his family.

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.

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.

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.

Politics

Introduced to politics via Svend Robinson and worked on federal NDP campaigns in early 90's In 2001 ran for MLA in the British Columbia election in the constituency of Vancouver Hastings as Green Party candidate - received 14.9% 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 Green Party Constituency 2004–2008 Ran in the 2008 Vancouver Civic election for the Work Less Party received 10,000 votes In 2011 Ian ran for De-Growth Vancouver and received 7872 votes

Music

After taking up guitar whilst in hospital after his accident in 1978, Ian finally took the instrument seriously in 2000 and eventually joined East Vancouver's legendary "The Carnival Band". In September 2006 Ian started Mr M and The All Nighters, a Northern Soul tribute band. Strongly influenced by the music popularised in his native Wigan and the Wigan Casino. In 2011 Ian started Vertigo, an original rock oriented band based in Vancouver. In 2013 Ian started a new band the Van City Soul Quartet featuring some of the best singers in Vancouver. Ian also is associated with the legendary Cory Weeds' Cellar Jazz in Kitsilano as sound tech and room booker.

Acting

In 2009 Ian returned to work in the Vancouver Film Industry as a Background Actor. Since then he has appeared in numerous tv and big screen projects and has worked with some of the great names in the industry including Chris Pine, Robert Redford, Gillian Anderson, Leslie Neilson & Ernie Hudson. Recently, Ian worked as amputee stunt double for local actor Chad Willet in "When Calls the Heart" for Hallmark and was an amputee ghost "Cyrus Clayton" in Season 4 Episode 1 "Seance" of RL Stein's "The Haunting Hour".

Most Recently

Ian currently lives in the Adanac Co-Op in East Vancouver.

External links

• Ian Gregson's Actor's Profile Page
• Ian Gregson's Facebook Page
• Ian's Band "Vertigo"
• Ian's Blog on living without a car in Vancouver
• Article on amputee sprinter Oscar Pistorius for The Tyee