More than a century ago in Calgary, George Hincks and Marshall McDougall, both war amputees from the First World War, devised a remarkable plan. Struggling to adjust to society with their disabilities, the two men decided to undertake a challenging journey from Alberta to Ontario using crutches. This endeavor, initiated in 1923, predates Terry Fox’s iconic Marathon of Hope by nearly 60 years but has largely been overlooked in history until historian Eric Story uncovered their story in an old military magazine.
Eric Story, a postdoctoral researcher at Western University, highlighted the extraordinary nature of Hincks and McDougall’s feat, emphasizing their resilience in hiking around 30 kilometers daily for nearly two months, despite the less advanced prosthetic and crutch technologies available at that time.
One of McDougall’s great-grandnieces, Lauren McDougall of Calgary, expressed her delight at the newfound attention on her ancestors’ journey. She shared that her great-granduncle was known for his humor and positive demeanor, suggesting that the initial challenge between friends evolved into a significant awareness campaign for supporting war veterans, especially amputees.
The historical trek undertaken by Hincks and McDougall, chronicled in newspapers of the era by Story, shed light on the societal perceptions of disability during Canada’s transition to an industrialized nation. The duo aimed to challenge stereotypes and showcase their resilience, dispelling notions of inefficiency and unproductivity among disabled individuals.
Although the original plan was to walk from Calgary to Ottawa, the physical toll forced them to halt their journey in Thunder Bay, Ontario, underscoring the immense pain and endurance required for such an arduous undertaking. Hincks and McDougall’s pioneering efforts in the early 20th century preceded the recognized birth of the disability rights movement in Canada, setting a foundation for future advocacy work.
Both soldiers were associated with the Amputations Association of the Great War, a forerunner of the War Amps charity in Canada, known for its support to amputees. Their positive attitude and determination mirrored the ethos of the War Amps community, emphasizing the importance of resilience and awareness in living with limb loss.
Reflecting on her family’s legacy, Lauren McDougall expressed pride in being connected to this significant piece of Canadian history, highlighting the ongoing relevance of challenging biases and mindsets surrounding disability even a century later.