Multiple Myeloma Patient, Richard Brown, a Top Curler

Canadian wheelchair curling championship begins Monday, March 23, 2009 in Lower Sackville.

Nova Scotia’s best wheelchair curlers will take on a strong field at the Canadian Wheelchair Curling Championship beginning Monday at the Lakeshore Curling Club in Lower Sackville.

One of these champion curlers, Richard Brown, underwent a stem cell transplant last February 2008 at the same time as I did. Richard and his lovely wife Sharron are delighted that Richard is going to get to play, and so am I.

Brown, 62, was an able-bodied curler at the club level, curling out of Mayflower for 17 years, before a spinal tumour led to surgery in late 2007.

His condition, multiple myeloma, is treatable, but incurable, and he now has titanium rods in his spine. However, extensive rehabilitation at the Nova Scotia Rehab Centre has allowed him to get around with the help of a walker and, more recently, canes.

This is his first year playing the wheelchair game.

"It’s a lot different because there’s no sweeping," said Brown. "You have to be pretty accurate with your throwing, a lot more accurate than you are in the able-bodied game."

Good luck Richard and Sharron and let us know how you are doing. We are all so proud of you.

Frank