How a High School Track Star found a New Lease on Life

Strength, ambition, and courage are just a few words that come to mind when we think of Anthony Lue.  Growing up, Anthony enjoyed playing competitive sports such as baseball, volleyball, basketball and mountain biking, but his true passion was discovered on his high school track.    After winning gold for 100m hurdles at the provincial championships in 2004, Anthony set his goals to become an Olympic athlete and represent Canada in the games.

That dream fell short on September 30, 2009, at the age of 21, when Anthony’s life drastically changed in a split second.  Anthony was working at an auto center in Toronto. After steering a car into a junk yard and placing it on a scale, a crane operator crushed the car with Anthony still inside, the car was then lifted it 15 feet into the air and, upon realizing Anthony was in the car, the crane suddenly released the vehicle sending Anthony crashing to the ground.

Anthony was left paralyzed from the waist down.  He had a broken back, six fractured ribs, and a fractured neck, his doctors told him he was lucky to be alive. Anthony’s life was forever changed.  It was after this horrifying event that Patrick from Bike Law and his team worked pro bono in seeking to allow Anthony to pursue a case against the junkyard.  After exhausting all grounds of appeal, it was finally determined that Anthony was restricted to the limited and restricted benefits within our Workers Compensation System.

A New Lease on Life

Throughout his rehabilitation process, Anthony’s spirit never waivered, he knew he was given a second chance at life and he was determined to live it the best he possibly could.  He began to participate in a range of wheelchair sports where he eventually found hand-cycling, which soon became his passion.

It was then that Anthony began to host fundraisers to raise enough money for his own hand bike and funds to attend training camps in Florida and Arizona.  He began riding 15-60kms a day and trained as much as he could, riding brought him a sense of freedom and he felt as though he was given a new lease on life.  

Anthony has just finished a hard training camp in Arizona. He races at the end of April in hopes of qualifying for the Candian Handcycling team in order to compete in the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo.  He has been crushing his time goals and working really hard to achieve his Olympic dream. He recently did the Valley of the Sun Stage Race and brought home 1st place in his category overall for the 3 day race!  Awesome job Anthony, your hard work is paying off!

Near the end of camp while out for a training ride, Anthony was recognized in his Bike Law jersey by Ethan, the husband of Bike Law Maine’s, Lauri Boxer-Macomber.  The two stopped for a quick photo and shared it with the Bike Law Network, what a small world!

Pat Brown

Patrick, of Bike Law Canada,  is one of the founding members of the Toronto Bike Union (now CycleToronto), and is a former director.  He is a proud contributor to Advocacy Respect for Cyclists [ARC] who have defended cyclist rights since 1996. He and his firm, McLeish Orlando LLP hold the annual Helmets on Kids Campaign in Toronto and sponsor CycleToronto’s annual “Get Lit” program and the City’s Bike Month.  In 2013, the firm was awarded the Bicycle Friendly Business Award by the City for promoting cycling in and outside the office.