Brad Spence Uses Special Helmet

Slalom skier Brad Spence will go for gold at the 2014 Sochi Olympic Winter Games wearing a race helmet that features a Russian-style design, hand-drawn by a teenage cancer patient at the Alberta Children’s Hospital.

Spence, 29, of Calgary, Alta., was presented with the custom red, black, white and gold helmet on Monday after inspiring 17-year-old Gillian O’Blenes with his own story of courage and perseverance during a series of hospital visits.

The 2010 Olympian, who was told he may never ski again after suffering a career-threatening injury just prior to the 2006 Olympic Winter Games, encouraged O’Blenes – a promising dancer who is suffering from osteosarcoma and currently undergoing chemotherapy – to pursue her passion for art, which led to the Calgary teen creating a helmet design for Spence to wear at the Games.

“Over the last couple of months Gillian has designed the helmet using Sharpie markers. When I first saw the design it just floored me,” said Spence, who battled back from knee surgery to qualify for nomination to Canada’s team for Sochi this winter.

“She’s been through so much but despite that she has managed to finish her diploma and she has now applied to attend the Alberta College of Art and Design. It’s going to be really special to be able to wear the helmet she designed when I compete in Sochi.”

Spence first heard about Gillian’s story through a friend who works in the Calgary hospital’s oncology unit.

“She said one of her patients was having bones taken out of her leg and that she might not be able to dance at a high level again,” said Spence. “She thought she might get something out of hearing my story of coming back from injury.

“I remember when I first went to see her I wasn’t sure what I was going to say. There was one brief point on my road back from injury where people told me I would never ski again, but what she’s dealing with is much more serious.

“I remember just sitting and talking to her for a good hour. My message was about taking things step by step, one goal at a time. I told her about being in physio when my goal was to try to figure out how to get my toes to work again. I would try to pick up a piece of Kleenex with my toes. It was about that whole idea of never giving up.”

Gillian said Spence’s visits gave her a different perspective on her own challenges.

“I was diagnosed last May – it was right after my last big competition. I did point and ballet, jazz, hip hop – everything,” she said. “My leg had been sore and bugging me for a couple of months.

“The first time Brad visited was right after my leg surgery. He talked about being on crutches for six months and now he’s skiing in the Olympics. It was really cool to hear that – it was inspiring.”

It was during one of his hospital visits that Spence noticed Gillian “doodling” on a pad.

“It was absolutely stunning. My first thought was that it almost looks like a Russian doll,” Spence said. “Just before Christmas I went in and took her a helmet and asked her if she would draw a design for me.

“I heard from her mom that designing the helmet helped her believe in herself.

“Knowing how much Gillian has had to overcome, the message that I’ve learned from her is to never give up,” Spence added “There have been days in my career when I’ve questioned giving up, and even this year I’ve battled some injuries as well, and the thought (of Gillian) in the back of my mind has helped me believe that I can do it. Seeing what she’s done has been a huge inspiration to me, and I am so honoured to have this opportunity.”

Gillian said she enjoyed putting her creativity and drawing skills to the test and is looking forward to maybe getting a glimpse of the finished product on TV.

“It’s going to be really cool to see the helmet when I watch the Games on TV and be able to say ‘I was a part of that,’ ” she said. “Doing the design was very therapeutic. It takes your mind off the situation you are in and gets you to focus on something positive.”

Spence will compete in the Men’s Slalom February 22nd and is part of Canada’s team for the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games.