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4- PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, September 22, 1998 "Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" By Heather McCrae Port Perry Star On July 27, 1997 Deborah MclIntyre's life was changed forever. In a split second her husband, Joe, was taken from her, killed instantly on the Don Valley Parkway after being struck by a speeding car. Hers wasn't the only loss that warm summer evening. The couple's two sons, 13-year-old Mike and nine-year- old David, had also lost a loving father. Yet Mrs. McIntyre isn't one to sit back, seeking pity. For her boys' sake, she's determined to get on with life, despite being in a wheelchair since that awful night. She's one courageous lady. It was late that July night when the couple pulled their motorcycle off to the side of the road, beneath a highway overpass, to escape the rain. Within seconds a speeding car hit them, killing Mr. McIntyre instantly and leaving his wife lying helpless on the road, both legs crushed after being run over. She was rushed to the hospital, where doctors were ready to amputate her mangled left leg until a nurse spotted a faint pulse in the ankle. "My leg was just dangling there, hanging by strands of muscle and skin," Mrs. McIntyre said. Miraculously, a major artery wasn't severed, allowing the medical team to change direction and save both limbs. Since that night Mrs. McIntyre has spent months in the hospital, either at Sunnybrook, the St. John's Rehabilitation Hospital or the Port Perry medical facil- ity. But through all these agonizing months, she can still smile. For she feels she's lucky to be alive and sur- rounded by a loving family, wonderful neighbors and many caring friends; "even strangers," she marvels. The Scugog Island woman now bears two six inch scars at the base of her spine, a reminder of when bones were removed to graft them into her two crushed ankles. Following that operation Mrs. McIntyre spent 'three weeks in isolation. Next came two purple casts (her favorite color). But - when doctors discovered the bones weren't knitting properly, it was back to Sunnybrook this past June to endure a nine-hour operation during which both legs were rebroken and two external fixators drilled into the heel, fibula and tibia of each leg. "The pain from that operation was worse than what I suffered after the accident," said Mrs. Mcintyre, gri- macing. But she also made medical history at the hos- pital when she became the first patient to have fixators drilled in both legs at the same time. The surgeons at Sunnybrook never did guarantee Mrs. McIntyre would walk again. They just said they'd do their best. "I remember asking my orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Stephen, if I'd ever be able to run again," she said. "He The long road to r Family, friends help as Deborah Mcint Deborah Mcintyre with sons D Scugog family is healing after loss of husband and father Joe. replied, 'first of all we're going to get you walking." From mid-June until Aug. 24 Mrs. McIntyre wasn't allowed to put weight on her legs, and could only get around in a wheelchair. Last Aug. 25, after a routine x- ray, the doctor said she could start walking short dis- tances with a walker. "That made it kind of promising -- that I'd be able to avid and Mike: ecovery yre puts her shattered life back together walk again someday," she said. Since then, she's been getting around with the assis- tance of a walker and the wheelchair. Throughout this ordeal Mrs. McIntyre has had the love and support of Mike and David, as well as her par- ents, Jack and Marie Donnel. "It's better now that mom's able to get around more," Mike said. "She barbecued us steaks the other night." Often, when David rollerblades down the street, he enjoys pushing his mom in the wheelchair. "My parents have always been here for me," Mrs. McIntyre said. "Without them I would have gone nuts, worrying about my boys. They spent so many days at the hospital and home, taking care of them. I owe them so much." Strangers have also helped Mrs. Mclntyre's healing process: "I've had so many people rally behind us, even people I didn't know." Last fall a benefit dinner auction, spearheaded by Don Kett and Don Orr was a tremendous success. And at General Motors, where Mr. McIntyre worked, his fellow workers held a fundraising golf tournament. "Then they gave each boy a plaque in memory of their dad." And many customers have also been a source of comfort and support through this horrificn ordeal. Right up until the accident she had worked for six years as a Toronto Star distributor, delivering hun- dreds of papers weekly to faithful customers. On Oct. 20 Mrs. McIntyre returns to Sunnybrook for a check-up. The next day she goes to court, where a 26- year-old North York driver faces charges of criminal negligence causing death and criminal negligence caus- ing bodily harm in connection with the accident that took her husband's life. Despite all the mental and physical anguish she's endured, Mrs. MclIntyre's bubbly personality and mil- lion-dollar smile continues: "With the support of the hospital staff, friends, family and God's help, I'm making a strong comeback," she said. Looking down at her legs, Mrs. McIntyre says her goal is to get rid of those steel rods. "Mom says I'll be rid of them by mid-November. I hope so, because then I'll be running around again, in time for Christmas. I love to run." This winter when the boys play hockey their Number One fan will be there, too, cheering them on. "I'll be there to watch. I'm on the mend now." But she's not one to complain. As Mrs. McIntyre sees it there are people with worse injuries than hers. "I met a man at St. John's Rehabilitation Hospital who had had both legs amputated. He had no legs, at least I've got mine." "I'm determined to walk again -- and I will." Scugog mourns dedicated Guide, Scout volunteer By Heather McCrae Port Perry Star A funeral service was held Sunday afternoon for a woman who, for many years, contributed tirelessly to the Guiding and Scouting movements in Port Perry. Beverly Dawson, past Commissioner of the Port Perry Girl Guides, died peacefully at home in her sleep on Sept. 16. Guiding and Scouting had been an integral part of Mrs. Dawson's life. At the funeral, held at the Emmanuel Pentecostal Church, several people from the guiding movement spoke about Mrs. Dawson's dedication. Commissioner Bunny Rowland of the Port Perry District Girl Guides said she met Mrs. Dawson in September 1986, and consequently asked her to become involved in Brownies. "Bev started as Tawny Owl with Brownies that year," Mrs. Rowland told the many mourners, "then continued to work her way up as a leader in Guides and Pathfinders." Even after her own daughter worked her way beyond Pathfinders, Mrs. Dawson devoted herself to Guides. In 1990 she was instrumental in starting the first Sparks Unit in Port Perry. This pre-Brownie unit 1s going strong her efforts. "She was a beautiful person who always gave more to others Bev Dawson than to herself," Mrs. Rowland said. She recalled the time she and Mrs. Dawson escorted Port Perry Guides Jessica Outram, Jodi Hunter, Melissa Dawson and two Guides from Whitby to the international camp in West Sussex, England in the summer of 1991: "Bev was such a fun-loving per- son, who always made life interesting at camp. Life was never dull," she said. Linda Fabiano recalled the years 1991 to 1994, when she was Commissioner and Mrs. Dawson was her deputy. Over the years the two women developed a bonding friendship. "Bev was the type of person who always gave 150 per cent. She was soft- today because of spoken, a hard worker and a very good listener," Mrs. Fabiano said. "Everyone loved her. She had so much compassion for others." Mrs. Dawson served as Commissioner from 1994 to 1997. After completion of her term, she remained on District Council. In November of last year she received the Gold Thanks badge. Earlier this year Mrs. Dawson had Joined the Olave Trefoil Guild, Ontario Division. Mrs. Dawson's link with Scouts began years earlier when her son, Jasen, was a Beaver in Whitby. She became trea- surer of the 1st Whitby Scouts, retaining this position right up to her death, due to a heart attack. Mrs. Dawson gave of herself to other efforts in the community, too. She often accompanied school trips, including one to France. For many years she and her devoted husband, Jon, were convenors of Port Perry Minor Ball. And Mrs. Dawson was also instrumental in start- ing up the Youth Bowling Council in Port Perry. Mrs. Dawson was proud of her family and their accomplishments. Jasen, a Registered Nurse, graduated with hon- ors from Seneca College and is currently enrolled in the Bachelor of Science pro- gram at McMaster University. The couple's daughter, Melissa, is taking the Occupational Therapist Assistant course at Humber College. Rev. Bob LePage of the Prince Albert and Port Perry United Churches spoke about his association with the family. It was through Guiding ceremonies at Port Perry United Church that he wit- nessed her devotion to the association. Rev. LePage also had the honor of lead- ing Mr. and Mrs. Dawson through a renewal of their wedding vows last year when the couple celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary. "Death isn't the end," Rev. LePage said. "Bev is alive and well in the pres- ence of our loving God." Pastor Dean Bursey, officiating at the service, said "we are not here to mourn Bev's passing, but to celebrate her life and what she gave to others." Donations in memory of Mrs. Dawson may be made through the Wagg Funeral Home in Port Perry (985-2171) to Central Area, Girl Guides of Canada, Camp Adelaide Memorial Fund.