Johnson hopes to medal at Parapan Am Games

Justin Seward
Times Reporter

 

Cerebral palsy and a stroke at age 11 aren’t holding 40-year-old Cory Johnson back; who is living the dream by participating in the Parapan Am Games next weekend.
It took Johnson six years to get to an international competition and his hard work has finally paid off.
“To go in, it’s a real opportunity to fulfill that want to play for Team Canada,” said Johnson.
He will be participating in the Football 7-a-side as a goalkeeper, which is the type of soccer for players with cerebral palsy and other neurological disorders.
Johnson set six Canadian records in the three years that he competed in competitive Track and Field, but felt that was the end of the road for a Paralympic sport, which is when soccer came into play.
“Soccer Canada came along and the head coach, Drew Ferguson, asked me if I would be interested in training to be a goalkeeper,” said Johnson.
“I hadn’t played soccer since I was probably 14. I’ve been training for the last three years two to four times a week and really focusing.”
His teammates have taken similar paths to making the team and Johnson, who knows them all, thinks it’s a privilege to play with all of them.
“It really is a true honour to be named to this team with 13 other phenomenal people and we all play for each other,” said Johnson.
“We’re all going into the [Parapan Am] Games with the goal of that gold medal and right now we’re ranked 10th in the world.”
Johnson said wearing the Canadian jersey proudly on their chest will provide inspiration needed to succeed in the games.
If Canada were to medal or place in the top eight at the games they will qualify for the Paralympics in Brazil next year.
The games go from Aug. 8-15 in Toronto.