Doctors didn’t expect Melanie Carlbeck to survive her first few surgeries.
The New West resident was born with spina bifida, a birth defect that leaves a gap in the spine, and in Carlbeck’s case, paralysis below the waist and impairment of lower-body functions.
“They told my mom and dad to go find a priest,” Carlbeck, a 2005 Courage to Come Back Award recipient, recalled.
But she beat the odds. Carlbeck, now 66, spent time in and out of hospital in her younger years, including 10 months when she was three. Shortly after, she was given a wheelchair.
“The elementary years were rough in terms of medically rough. I missed a lot of school, coming back and trying to catch up,” she said. “In those days, they didn’t have learning assistance teachers and what not, so you’re kind of on your own.”
With the help of a school administrator, Carlbeck went on to attend UBC and graduated with a bachelor of education in 1972.
But going through university and living in residence came with its challenges.
“Sometimes I’d wait 10 minutes for someone to come along just to get up the curb. I learned that I had to schedule my courses earlier so that there would be people around,” she said. “A lot of professors (thought) nobody’s going to hire you.”
Carlbeck returned to her hometown of Trail and taught children with learning disabilities. Her teaching career, which took her to the Langley School District in 1981, spanned 34 years until her retirement in 2006.
Carlbeck’s story is just one example of why Coast Mental Health holds its annual Courage to Come Back Awards. Now in its 19th year, the gala recognizes six individuals from across the province who have overcome adversity, have changed their lives for the better and have helped others do the same.
“There really is no small story,” said spokesperson Alyssa Goad. “What people need to realize is what may seem insignificant to them is a huge story to others. A lot of people think, ‘Oh, it’s not that big of a deal that I volunteer 100 hours a month at this place and I struggle with this.’ … Anybody who’s overcome anything is someone who should be celebrated.”
Last year’s event raised $1.43 million for Coast Mental Health, which offers programs and housing to people with mental illness. Goad said staff hope to raise the same amount, if not more, on May 16.
Interested in nominating someone for an award? The nomination deadline is Feb. 8. Go to www.couragetocomeback.ca for more information.
