What doesn’t kill you can make you stronger. These words ring especially true for Jon Thurston.

At 15, Jon fought cancer to remission with a year of intense chemotherapy treatment.

At 24, Jon was working construction when a severe storm collapsed a building and a steel beam landed on his back, leaving Jon with a spinal cord injury.

At 42, Jon became a Paralympic Gold Medalist in Wheelchair Curling when his team made history by going undefeated at this year’s 2026 Paralympics.

How did Jon overcome these life challenges and excel? Resilience.

When fighting cancer Jon had the support of his amazing family and friends – his parents Marilyn and Bob are his heroes. Cancer and remission left Jon with a special perspective on life, health, and community.

When rebuilding his life and independence following his spinal cord injury, Jon had the same amazing support system but added to it was Stephanie, a Spinal Cord Injury Ontario Navigator, who helped Jon with his transition from rehab to home and connected him with our SCIO Peer Support program.

“Stephanie was a big help … and connecting and sharing with people who have been through what you are going through, who understand the challenges you are facing, is amazing.”

Jon’s community grew again when Carl Rennick approached him about curling, Jon was unsure, but said yes. Jon instantly loved the accessible nature of the sport and that he could play all comers. Within a year he was part of a provincial championship team and the curling community, with new found friends and a valued new mentor in Carl.

Jon’s love of sport was born while playing with his siblings and cousins in the village where he grew up. Being the youngest trying to keep up stoked Jon’s love of competition.

Jon’s competitive fire is an essential element of the resilience and determination that helped him face and overcome the challenges of cancer and a spinal cord injury, and it has has fuelled his success at the highest levels of sport.

“Sport has given me focus, purpose and valued new friendships. Whether I am training or competing in curling or water skiing, or when I am mountain biking with friends, I am surrounded by amazing people.”

Jon recognizes and appreciates how fortunate he has been to have such incredibly supportive people in his life and how they have reinforced his resilience and strength.

Even with that support, Jon still called upon, and continues to connect with, the lived experience support, and knowledge that the SCIO Peer Support provides.

“Everyone needs people in their corner who understand.”

Jon has built a great life and has achieved things few people ever do. His resilience has helped him make the most of his abilities.

You can reinforce people’s resilience so that they can overcome the immense challenges of life with a spinal cord injury and make the most of their abilities.

Please give today. With your help, we can make certain everyone gets the help they need.

All the very best to you,