How many medals does she have to her credit? Ten, fifteen, twenty? For Chantal, the quantity is not important — it is her determination to overcome the obstacles and look straight ahead that is her strength. The athlete's serenity, brilliant eyes, joy and enthusiasm reveal the richness of her inner being, source of her athletic success but above all, of her life lived to the fullest.
par Marie-Paule Sanfaçon, M.I.C.,

Photo : AQSFR, Jean-Baptiste Benavent

Succeeding in one's life

Personally I don't know Chantal, but T.V. and radio interviews reveal who she is: her dynamic drive is an invitation to excel, to believe in one's self, in one's potential to go beyond the apparent limits. In an interview with the host, Isabelle Albert, Chantal declared: I know how to go within myself and draw on the strength I need to take part in sports competition. At the age of 13, Chantal had an unfortunate accident which left her paralyzed for life; however, she knows how to look ahead. She has a future to build: a change of paths is necessary! She does not want to be considered as a victim—she chooses to grow: The event happened, it is there! I cannot control it, but it's up to the person to decide what she will do with it. And Chantal resorted to action.

Sources of happiness

Capitalize on the opportunities that come our way, maintain the vigor that belongs to youth — two elements from which Chantal draws her happiness. To keep in shape, she responds to a teacher's invitation and takes swimming lessons. Bit by bit she gains confidence in herself and discovers the urge to go beyond. For her, it is not so easy, but her leitmotiv is to overcome, to preserve her moral strength notwithstanding the many obstacles that she encounters in sports.

During the Para-Olympics tryout, Chantal aims always higher and bigger. After Barcelona (1992), Atlanta (1996), Sidney (2000), Athens (2004), she partipated in the Beijing Olympics in 2008. She won five gold medals—what a victory for this Quebecer from Saint-Marc-des-Carrières! Never has this been seen before… Chantal has reached the summit and at the same time, she has won another victory which she holds dear to her heart: thanks to her extraordinary feat, the Para-Olympics are now known world-wide, on the same level as the Olympic Games. It is no longer a competition among disabled people but among true athletes who participate to a worldwide championship.

However, she still has another leap to make… her dream is to see the wheel-chair race as a discipline officially recognized at the Olympic Games. Bravo to you, Chantal, you are our Canadian heroine. We are proud of you!

Believe in life

In his inaugural address, January 20, Barack Obama said: Greatness is not given to us, it must be earned. Chantal knows this. Her Olympic medals were the reward of her daily, hard work—practicing, and exercising relentlessly.

She likes to say: So many people have an illusionary vision of our job, but they should see us after our training session—early in the morning, sitting at home in our woollens, eating noodles with tomato sauce. Chantal is a down-to-earth person, and does not pretend to be someone else. She likes to come back to her daily simple way of life. Her happiness is not in cocktails or champagne. She finds happiness in nature, early in the morning, and in being with friends or reading a good book. Happiness is not in the glory of greatness but it is hidden deep within the human being. Chantal is happy; she appreciates those small simple things which make life a fantastic adventure.

Opened to the world

Because of her profession as an athlete, Chantal has travelled extensively; she passionately loves to discover all that is new and to delve into the unknown. Her friend, James Duhamel, a musician, once said of Chantal: You should see her roll her wheel-chair in the Australian desert sands and in the jungle of Costa Rica. Everywhere she goes, Chantal spontaneously communicates her passion, her joy. Everyone can join the ranks of such radiant persons, awakened to the beauty of life, by opting for a path that will lead to true happiness.

Photo : AQSFR, Jean-Baptiste Benavent

Personality of the newspaper "La Presse" 2008

It is not the first time that Chantal has been acknowledged as personality of "La Presse" in Montreal. She has succeeded to impress the world. The photo of this competing athlete, rolling her wheel-chair at 30km/hr has been shown around the globe. Waves of applause accompanied her. What a magnificent example of determination and courage.

Having reached this impressive goal, Chantal is folding up her career in the Para-Olympics and is concentrating her time and efforts on marathons. Taking up another challenge? Maybe a queen to crown… who can doubt?

Life's marathon

As I ponder upon Chantal's dynamic drive and commitment, I can't help but link this to St-Paul's epistle where he compares the Christian to an athlete. Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize (1 Co 9:24). God's people are called to run the race. They are capable of running long distances with endurance, patience and perseverance. It is not a race where speed is important, but a fantastic marathon where the trophy, the reward, is an imperishable crown, an unfailing happiness.

Aware of Chantal's success, a new departure is offered to us—the marathon of life!