By Andrew de Souza

Terry Fox Award given for a never-ending smile

Mar 29, 2011 | 6:28 AM

The 2011 Prince Albert Terry Fox Award was presented to young man known for his love of cars, his sense of humour and his warm smile.

Catlin Anderson, a 16-year-old St. Michael Community School Student, was presented the award at City Hall last night in front of cheering friends, teachers and family members.

Anderson is wheelchair-bound and has been diagnosed with both sclerosis and leukodystrophy. He is unable to speak, but can understand people and respond by nodding and through a communication device.

Despite the hardships he faces, he still manages to stay positive and happy and that’s one of the reasons he was nominated, by his teacher Michele Handstede, and ultimately chosen for the award.

“One would think that losing so much would make one angry and sullen, but this not the case with Catlin,” Handstede said in her nomination letter.

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“Although he has inoperable sclerosis as well as leukodystrophy and is in pain much of the time, Catlin never stops smiling and he brightens the day of everyone he encounters.”

Catlin’s mother Sharon said her son simply couldn’t believe that he was recognized for an award and would be immortalized on a plaque in city hall.

“He’s overwhelmed. He couldn’t believe it, he told me I was joking when I told him,” she said. “He feels really special and he feels like everyone knows him now that he’s been nominated. He’s a celebrity.”

Catlin was handed the award at the beginning of Monday’s council meeting. Once the formalities were over with, friends and family rushed the chamber floor to congratulate him and afterwards went to his house for a celebration.

The Terry Fox award has been handed out for the last 29 years and is given to a young person in the city who demonstrates a strong spirit and continues to overcome obstacles they face.

adesouza@panow.com