Former National Hockey League star Theo Fleury is bringing his message of healing and hope to Port Alberni with two special events on May 8 and May 9.
On the ice, the undersized Fleury, who is of Metis heritage, was unstoppable, winning a World Junior Championship, a Stanley Cup and an Olympic gold medal.
But in 2009, shortly after he retired, he published a book, Playing With Fire, where he outlined a traumatic childhood and a searing account of sexual abuse at the hands of a hockey coach and of his out-of-control life off the ice.
After writing Playing With Fire, Fleury worked with renowned therapist and neurobiologist Kim Barthel to write Conversations With A Rattlesnake, and they are now carrying the message to young people across Canada.
Barthel has a Port Alberni connection, according to Penn Thrasher, executive director of Circles of Cedar, which is hosting the visit.
“I’ve known Kim Barthel for about 15 years. She is an occupational therapist extraordinaire and she does consults for the kids on my caseload,” Thrasher said.
Circles of Cedar supports children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and other complex behavior conditions.
“As you know, this city has a high rate of violence, and there is a direct link between FASD and violence against children,” Thrasher said. “Birth mothers who have a child with FASD typically have a personal history of trauma. And much of that is inflicted by wounded men.”
Thrasher said it is difficult to get men to come forward to deal with the shame and trauma of childhood abuse. With Fleury’s following as a hard-hitting athlete and now, as a hard-hitting motivational speaker, she was determined to bring the team to Port Alberni.
Barthel has developed an international reputation as an expert in the field of early childhood trauma and addiction. A few years ago, while making a presentation in Toronto, she met Fleury, who was already well into his recovery. As Barthel described the meeting to Thrasher, the meeting was a little unsettling at first.
“This guy sidles up to her, and he’s wearing a black leather jacket and jeans, and he’s kind of gruff, and he says, ‘Hey lady – you just changed my life. And you’re going to be working with me for the rest of yours.’”
Fortunately, Barthel’s husband Bob, a big hockey fan, recognized the former superstar before she became too alarmed. Since that meeting, Barthel and Fleury have taken to the road.
Fleury delivers his message with straight-forward honesty, while Barthel provides an in-depth explanation of the effects of early childhood trauma and addiction.
Between them, they deliver a message that there is hope.
Circles of Cedar is hosting a free youth event on May 8 from noon to 4 p.m. at Port Alberni Athletic Hall. Local youth from 12 to 19 are invited to meet and hear Fleury and Barthel. Lunch will be provided.
On May 9, there will be an all-day event for all ages, also at Athletic Hall, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Early Bird tickets are $30; after Feb. 28, $35. Admission includes lunch.
“Both events have amazing door prizes,” Thrasher added.
Circles of Cedar has partnered with the Alberni Community and Women’s Services Society in promoting the event. ACAWS provides the justice programs for violence against women and for children who witness abuse.
“And we provide the sexual abuse intervention programs for children in the Alberni Valley,” ACAWS executive director Joanne Silver said. “So we are really wanting people to come out and hear about healing from trauma and abuse.”
Organizers are now looking for volunteers to help with the event, with a special call-out to the Nuu-chah-nulth community. ACAWS will have counsellors on hand to provide emotional support for participants. They would very much like to have qualified and culturally informed counsellors available.
They would also like to arrange a cleansing ceremony for the hall and for the guest speakers, along with “about 40 fish for fish soup.”
Volunteers get free admission to the event and get to take part in a Meet and Greet with Theo Fleury and Kim Barthel on Friday evening. The Meet and Greet is for volunteers and sponsors only.
Tickets are available at Alien Sports (2926 Third Ave.), the Alberni Valley Bulldogs office (3737 Roger St.), Echo Centre (4255 Wallace St.) and at ACAWS (3082 Third Ave.)
For more information, contact Circles of Cedar at 250-724-3273.
