Betty Fox: an amazing mother

When it comes to mothers, Betty Fox is among the most incredible I have ever heard of.

I can remember seeing an interview with her a few years ago – I can’t remember where I saw it or the exact conversation, but the gist was that she felt guilty for her initial reaction to Terry Fox’s idea to run across the country to raise funds for cancer research.  She said she felt bad that just when he needed support the most, she failed to provide it.  But really, can you blame her? She just found out her son was very sick – I think it was perfectly natural to feel protective.

She more than made up for her “lack of support,” if you want to call it that – and quickly. When she realized that Terry was not to be dissuaded, she did a complete 180, throwing her support behind her son, selflessly sacrificing the unknown amount of time that was left for them to be together.  She fiercely protected him from anyone trying to get close for opportunistic reasons, found people who could help him, and facilitated his journey the best she could.

When Terry died, she was asked to step forward as the public face of the Terry Fox Foundation. With nowhere near adequate time to grieve privately, she was thrust into the public eye, stating that she believed her son had a higher purpose.  She graciously gave Terry over to a nation that was hungry for a hero.  Then she continued to protect him fiercely – his image, his values, everything he stood for – and made sure that he wouldn’t disappear into obscurity.

Terry Fox had a dream that captivated a nation. That dream became Betty Fox’s entire life.  She constructively threw her anger and grief and whole being into it.  Along with other family members and people involved with the Terry Fox Foundation, she made sure the dream stayed alive not only within the nation, but in countries all over the world.

That’s a pretty incredible mom.