Graduating from high school in a few weeks isn’t the only major accomplishment as of late for Buena Vista’s Hudson Walby. In late April, Walby found out he was named one of 15 winners for the “Terry Fox Humanitarian Award,” being recognized for his volunteer work as a Medical First Responder with St. John Ambulance, and Senior Trainer at Miller Comprehensive High School. Last week his contributions were recognized by the House of Commons in Ottawa, with 14 other winners from across the country. He hopes this award can have a lasting impact as he finishes his last few weeks of high school. “I want people to realize what trainers do,”Walby explained. “It’s about getting involved, and community service matters. A lot of people will sit there and walk by something happening. In reality, helping them is the best thing you can do for community service.” His knack for volunteer work started around the same time he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, about five years ago. The neurological disorder can affect a person’s ability to move, maintain balance and control posture. It was a surprise when he was diagnosed, as he was originally going into the doctors for flatfeet. “I kind of went through a down at first after I got told, because it was a lot. Like, what am I going to do about this?” he said. “Then I ended up coming to the realization that I have a whole life left to live and there’s a lot of stuff that I can do with my life, and there’s a lot of good impact that you can have, no matter where you come from or what’s happened to you.” Teacher and trainer Nancy Duczek was aware of Walby’s battle with cerebral palsy when he arrived at Miller in Grade 9. “It’s rare to have a trainer starting in grade nine, because generally, 99% of the time the team is chosen at spring camp, which happens in June,” she said. “He had a bit of a unique situation and story, and we thought being involved in the football team would probably be a good idea to give him a sense of belonging and family.” Walby spent all four years of his high school life as a trainer, a rare feat for the program. Each team can have a roster as big as 60 players. It’s also a fitting ending for the duo, as Duczek, while a teacher now, also started out as a trainer four years ago. “Just as a teacher, you sometimes build relationships with certain kids, and it carries on. He’s just one of those kids,” she noted. “Hudson has grown to be dependable, responsible, and reliable. He’s got the hugest heart and he is the person that you know would have your back and he will carry that forward with all of his relationships. Anyone who comes into contact with him will be blessed to have been spending that time with him.” Walby’s humanitarian aid will continue in Regina, as he plans to study nursing at the University of Regina this fall.
