MacFarlane with then-President George H.W. Bush

Craig MacFarlane a

By Garth McLennan, Sports Editor

Lee, College recently played
host to an extraordinary man. Craig
MacFarlane is quite possibly the
world’s greatest blind athlete, but really,
he is so much more than that. He’s a
truly inspiring person.

Born and raised in Sault St. Marie,
MacFarlane was blinded at two years
old in a freak accident. At age six, he
had to attend a special school for the
blind in Brantford, Ontario, over 500
miles away from his home. When he
was seven years old he was introduced
to wrestling. He wrestled for eleven
years, competing many times against
sighted competitors. He wrestled
against other blind competitors for
Canada in the blind Olympic Games.

MacFarlane has won 103 gold
medals in a variety of sports, including
wrestling, water-skiing, snow-skiing,
and track and field. At 19 years old,
he moved in with Gordie Howe, and
lived there for 18 months. At the
legendary Howe’s encouragement,

MacFarlane began public speaking

at age 19. He has been speaking for
Edward Jones Investment group as a
goodwill ambassador for 17 years, and
has spoke for such major companies
and corporations as Coca-Cola, AT&T,
GM, and Ford. At the request of his
close friend, former US President
George H.W. Bush Sr.— who wrote
the foreword to MacFarlane’s book,
Inner Vision—Craig MacFarlane has
spoken at three Republican National
Conventions. In over 20 years of public
speaking, Craig has done presentations
at 2,500 high schools.

When Craig was 13 years old, he and
then 14 year old Wayne Gretzky were
honoured at a banquet. The two have
been friends ever since. MacFarlane has
played in Michael Jordan’s celebrity
golf tournament, and won the closest to
the pin contest. He’s also played golf
with Willie Nelson, and beaten him.
His best round was an incredible 91.

In 2006, Craig traveled to Rome and
was granted an audience with Pope

Benedict. Over the years, Craig has
done appearance tours with such stars as
Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris, and Joe
Frazier. He’s spoken in 41 countries, but
most wants to go to Australia.

He has recently set up a foundation
called 20/20 Inner Vision, which is
dedicated to keeping kids in school.
Due to his friendship with superstar
Mario Andretti, NASCAR has agreed to
sponsor his foundation and its website.

At the 1984 Olympic Games in LA,
Craig was invited by former President
Ronald Regan to carry the Olympic
torch. A great speaker with a fantastic
sense of humour, Craig is a big believer
in hard work.

“It’s so easy to be mediocre, but it’s
not so easy to be great. When I wake
up in the morning I always try to have
a positive attitude, always try to have
goals, both short and long-term ones.
Setting goals helps you get through
the tough days. I truly believe that
there is no substitute for hard work; we
create our own luck and breaks. Don’t

True Inspiration

let anyone tell you what you can’t do,
because if you’re looking for someone
to set the odds for you, you probably
won’t have to look very far,” says
Craig.

While Craig, who, despite his
excellent presentation skills, has never
taken public speaking courses, is an
immensely positive and inspiring
person, he does indeed know what he’s
lost.

“I would trade all my gold medals
for my eyesight. To see my parent’s
faces, the colors of a rainbow, or
something as simple as a tree, I would
give almost anything for that.”

Spending just 45 minutes listening
to Craig was enough to have a positive,
lasting impact on me. He is a truly
vibrant person, and we would all do
well to set store by his example, that
no matter what the odds, a person can
accomplish anything.

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