By Ratnam Mathur
This year, over 50 staff and clients from the Developmental Disabilities Association laced up their running shoes and proudly took part in the annual Vancouver Sun Run — one of Canada’s largest and most celebrated community races.
The spirit of the event was unmistakable as participants from all walks of life came together to celebrate health, inclusion, and perseverance. For the DDA team, it was not just about crossing the finish line but about demonstrating the strength and determination that their community represents every day.
A special highlight of this year’s race was DDA client Henrik Nashlund’s inspiring participation. Henrik (on the right in the above image), who lives at DDA’s Curzon group home, tackled the challenge with incredible enthusiasm and resilience. Cheered on by his support team and fellow runners, Henrik showed that the true victory lies in the courage to show up, push personal limits, and have fun along the way. On the bottom left is Ivan Kamurasi, one of our team members at our Minoru group home, who has been working at DDA for over ten years.
During the Sun Run, Henrik walked while taking in the lively atmosphere, enjoying the music, the bands playing along the route, and the many people on the streets cheering the participants on. With his two dedicated staff members, Karen and Sooraj, walking and cheering beside him, Henrik completed an impressive 8.5 kilometers.
We are incredibly proud of his achievement – it’s something he has been actively doing for many years. The following picture is of him (second from left), and other staff and clients, taking part in 2003!
After the run, Henrik celebrated by enjoying lunch at his favorite restaurant and returned home feeling happy, relaxed, and fulfilled. We are deeply proud of both Henrik and his wonderful staff, Karen and Sooraj, for their support and encouragement in helping him reach his goal.
The Vancouver Sun Run continues to be a platform where individuals like Henrik can shine, and where organizations like DDA can showcase the power of community, inclusion, and unwavering support. Congratulations to all the DDA runners for a fantastic race!
