Ernie McCabe was born on July 31, 1961 and lived four miles outside of Sundridge.
Born with spina bifida, his doctors told his family that he had a life expectancy of twelve. He had the first of six operations shortly after his birth. Ernie spent a lot of time at the Ontario Crippled Children’s Centre (now known as the Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital) and missed a couple of grades because of the many operations. However, he caught up and skipped grade eight.
His father and family taught Ernie to walk on crutches. If he fell, as often he did, he was told to get up and try again. Ernie told people that he had “lots of busted crutches and more bruises than Muhammad Ali.”
Ernie was once asked about his hobbies. He replied: “wine, women and song!” Ernie particularly loved to dance – if it was a fast dance he would use his crutches, if it was a slow dance he would grab his partner’s waist and dance.
Training facilities in the area were lacking for disabled athletes so Ernie spent a lot of time in the weight room and parking lot at AHSS. The Sundridge Lions Club helped Ernie acquire his sports wheelchair for wheelchair racing and basketball. Ernie spent a tremendous amount of time working out with his wheelchair and weightlifting. He credited Mike Salovaara from South River for providing a great help in his training. Mike was an avid cross-country runner and remembers at lunch time that he and Ernie would do five laps around the high school. Mike would run beside Ernie on his wheelchair acting as Ernie’s “pace car”.
Mike said that Ernie never complained about his disability, was very determined and had a great sense of humour.
A short snapshot of some of Ernie’s numerous awards:
Ernie qualified as part of the team that went to the Ontario Summer Games from 1977 through 1979. At the 1979 Ontario Summer Games, Ernie won gold in the slalom track event and bronze in weightlifting.
Ernie spent a lot of time in the weight room above the auditorium. He had spectacular upper body strength and could bench press 225 pounds.
In July 1980, Ernie participated in the Terry Fox Marathon of Hope accompanying Terry through the area on his wheelchair.
After graduating from high school, Ernie moved to Toronto and earned an arc welding certificate. Subsequently he worked as a bank teller in Toronto for a number of years before moving to Calgary in the late 80s.
Ernie passed away in Calgary, Alberta on October 14, 1991.
RIP Ernie. You made us proud!
Born with spina bifida, his doctors told his family that he had a life expectancy of twelve. He had the first of six operations shortly after his birth. Ernie spent a lot of time at the Ontario Crippled Children’s Centre (now known as the Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital) and missed a couple of grades because of the many operations. However, he caught up and skipped grade eight.
His father and family taught Ernie to walk on crutches. If he fell, as often he did, he was told to get up and try again. Ernie told people that he had “lots of busted crutches and more bruises than Muhammad Ali.”
Ernie was once asked about his hobbies. He replied: “wine, women and song!” Ernie particularly loved to dance – if it was a fast dance he would use his crutches, if it was a slow dance he would grab his partner’s waist and dance.
Training facilities in the area were lacking for disabled athletes so Ernie spent a lot of time in the weight room and parking lot at AHSS. The Sundridge Lions Club helped Ernie acquire his sports wheelchair for wheelchair racing and basketball. Ernie spent a tremendous amount of time working out with his wheelchair and weightlifting. He credited Mike Salovaara from South River for providing a great help in his training. Mike was an avid cross-country runner and remembers at lunch time that he and Ernie would do five laps around the high school. Mike would run beside Ernie on his wheelchair acting as Ernie’s “pace car”.
Mike said that Ernie never complained about his disability, was very determined and had a great sense of humour.
A short snapshot of some of Ernie’s numerous awards:
- at the third annual Northern Ontario Regional Games for the Physically Disabled in Sault Ste. Marie in June 1977, Ernie set new records in winning the 800 and 1,500 metres wheelchair races and the 50 metre freestyle swim. He also won the wheelchair slalom and placed second in the 100 metres and third in weightlifting
- at the fourth annual Northern Ontario Regional Games for the Physically Disabled in Kirkland Lake in June 1978, Ernie won three gold and two silver medals
- at the fifth annual Northern Ontario Regional Games for the Physically Disabled in Thunder Bay in June 1979, Ernie won five medals.
Ernie qualified as part of the team that went to the Ontario Summer Games from 1977 through 1979. At the 1979 Ontario Summer Games, Ernie won gold in the slalom track event and bronze in weightlifting.
Ernie spent a lot of time in the weight room above the auditorium. He had spectacular upper body strength and could bench press 225 pounds.
In July 1980, Ernie participated in the Terry Fox Marathon of Hope accompanying Terry through the area on his wheelchair.
After graduating from high school, Ernie moved to Toronto and earned an arc welding certificate. Subsequently he worked as a bank teller in Toronto for a number of years before moving to Calgary in the late 80s.
Ernie passed away in Calgary, Alberta on October 14, 1991.
RIP Ernie. You made us proud!
If you would like to recognize a student (or group of students) who attended
AHSS in its early years, please let us know.
AHSS in its early years, please let us know.