Gary McPherson, advocate for disabled people, dead at 63
Gary McPherson, advocate for disabled people, dead at 63.
EDMONTON — Celebrated advocate for disabled people and former candidate for PC party leadership Gary McPherson died on Saturday May 8.
McPherson, 63, beat polio after living more than half of his life in the University of Alberta Hospital.
The Edson-born man was diagnosed with polio at the age of nine, leaving him paralyzed and unable to breathe.
While living in the hospital, McPherson slowly weaned himself off a daytime respirator, though he still used one at night, and regained partial use of his left hand and leg.
As he grew stronger, the sports enthusiast began coaching a hospital slo-pitch team.
McPherson became an advocate for disabled people in sports, serving as president of the Edmonton Paralympic Sports Association, and later, president of the Canadian Wheelchair Sports Association.
He also spent eight years as the general manager of the Alberta Northern Lights Wheelchair Basketball team.
McPherson moved out of the hospital and into his own home in 1989.
But his political career began much earlier, in 1971, when he convinced his younger brother to push him from the U of A hospital to Don Getty’s campaign office south of the university.
Within days he was named the campaign’s office manager.
He remained close to Getty, who later named him to the Premier’s Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities, a committee he chaired for 10 years.
McPherson earned many titles in his life.
He worked as chairman of the Steadward Centre for Personal and Physical Achievement and as vice-chairman of the Alberta Paraplegic Foundation.
He received the Order of Canada and the Alberta Order of Excellence.
He also received an Honorary Doctor of Laws from the U of A and was an adjunct professor in the school’s Department of Physical Education and Sport Studies.
In 2006, McPherson ran for leadership of the governing PC party.
Running in his first political campaign, he never really had a shot against better known and better funded candidates such as Jim Dinning and Ed Stelmach.
But he impressed nearly everyone and acted as the party’s conscience, warning them about complacency.
“Dr. Gary McPherson was an amazing Albertan with a unique courage and commitment to this province,” Premier Ed Stelmach said in a statement Saturday.
“He inspired all of us with his dedication and leadership as a tireless advocate for those who face daily challenges in this life.”
Stelmach added that he considered McPherson a dear friend.
“On behalf of all Albertans, I offer our most heartfelt sympathy to his family. Their loss is Alberta’s loss as well,” Stelmach said.
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