Hold on to your Dreams

"Have you ever dreamt about something that you knew in your heart was impossible? I have. And it's what kept me going."

It may seem like being a dreamer is simply delusional, but the reality is that dreams are more than just wishes and fantasies. Our personal, individualized hopes and dreams can impact all areas of our life – even if they sometimes seem impossible to achieve. While some dreams may be frivolous or self-serving, others are worth holding on for no matter the obstacles in their way. While things may not always go as planned, it's important to remember that we can never truly know what our future holds. We can only take each day as it comes, and live life to the fullest.

One man who exemplifies courage and persistence despite overwhelming odds is Craig Pollard – a paraplegic adventurer who strives to live his dream every day.

Craig's story began in 2004 when he was struck by a vehicle driven by a drunk driver during his daily run. He realized he had lost something very important when he learned that his lower body was paralyzed. Despite the tragic events associated with Craig's accident, the loss of mobility did not stop him from pursuing his dreams.

When Craig was first struck, he found himself trapped in a hospital bed with an uncertain future ahead of him. He thought it would be the end of his active lifestyle and the beginning of a life filled with limitations and pain. But his friends and family were not going tolerate that kind of thinking. As Craig says, "In the beginning I was told I wasn't going to walk again, so I guess my mind set was just to make the best of it." He credits those who were close to him for giving him hope by helping him realize how much he still had left to live for. "That's when I decided to make it through this," he recalls.

Craig's dream began to take hold of him, and he found a new goal for his life. "When I was in the hospital I realized that my goals were all about the outdoors," he says. "I wanted the opportunity to do things that allowed me to enjoy nature." Craig was inspired by his time spent working with an adaptive sports program called Adaptive Adventures, which is when he dreamed up the idea to paddle across Canada with a friend. It was not always easy, but he knew that if he worked hard enough that someday it would be possible.

With much support from family and friends, Craig's dream took flight and in 2011, at age 40, he completed his cross-Canada journey. It was the culmination of everything he had worked for, and it certainly was not an easy journey to complete. He did have some doubts at times, but his dream inspired him to try. "There were times I thought, 'Maybe I can't do this,'" he says. "But then I would think about my goal and realize that if I could overcome this obstacle and that one, then eventually I would get there."

Craig's journey across Canada is proof that our dreams can take shape if we keep them close to heart and never give up fighting for their success. It was his desire to experience life in spite of his physical limitations that kept him going throughout the entire trip. "When I reflect on the journey, that's what I remember: the struggle of making it across the country," he says. "I would have given up a hundred times if I didn't have that desire to do it."

Craig's story gives many people hope and inspiration. The way he took control of his life was an amazing demonstration of the best aspects of what it means to dream big and never let anything get in your way. Craig's decision not to give up is something we can all model for ourselves and others when they are experiencing adversity in life. While adaptation is inevitable and change can be tough, it is our dreams that make all the difference. Ultimately, it is our dreams that keep us going.

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Hold on to Your Dreams by Craig Pollard was originally published in issue #25 of Destination Canada magazine. Keep up with the magazine's latest articles by following their Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts! The May/June 2015 issue of Destination Canada is now available for download in the Apple Newsstand app and on Zinio . To see all of Destination Canada's articles and many others like them, visit Destination Canada online .

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Article written by: Anne-Marie Waszkiewicz, Content Manager at Destination Canada magazine. Anne-Marie is a Boston-based travel writer who works with destination groups across North America on developing content for their websites and print publications. She's particularly passionate about food and wine tours, culture and connective travel experiences. Follow her on Twitter @AM_Waszkiewicz.

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Comments:

5 Responses to "Hold On To Your Dreams" Article | Leave a Reply Here » This article is awesome and a great reminder that although we may hit bumps in the road to achieving our dreams it is possible with perseverance. I am in the process of following my dreams, I am a travel writer and photographer who is currently working on my first book. This is a long road, but one that I believe will definitely be worth it.

Posted by: Vicki Clarke | 2/1/2015 3:39:33 AM UTC

I sent an email with this article to all my friends in the industry and got only one response. After reading this article you can understand why! My husband has just been forced into retirement from his job after 22 years and we have been gifted with the opportunity to start traveling.

Posted by: Cheryl Miller | 5/4/2015 7:10:11 AM UTC

I have successfully quit my full time job and have now been working on my first book for about 6 months. It is the most rewarding time of my life - creating! I share this with you to say that it does pay off!! Great article, thanks for the reminder. I DID IT!

Posted by: Sherry Lefebvre | 9/15/2015 4:51:38 PM UTC

I shared your article on facebook, tumblr, twitter and google+ to help spread the word. Thank you so much.

Conclusion

I had such a fun time working on this article. Let me know in the comments below what are your dreams and how did you go about chasing after them? I would love to learn from you!

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