Raise.II.Rise, a community-led fundraising initiative founded in September 2024, will host Pickleball for a Purpose<\/em> on Sun. Jan. 31 ( 3 pm to 7 pm) at bringing together sport, advocacy, and community support for two vital causes. It will take place at Royal Westcourt Social Club<\/a> (87 Rue Montrose) in Dollard des Ormeaux .<\/p>\n Pickleball for a Purpose is a fundraising event in support of Brett Wharton<\/a><\/strong>, a Montrealer who lost his mobility following a transit accident in 2015 and is now pursuing a surgery that could help him walk again.<\/p>\n This initiative was created with a singular and deeply personal mission: to raise funds for advanced stem cell treatments that may offer the possibility of walking again and living free from chronic pain and debilitating physical limitations. It is being led by a group of lifelong friends\u2014born and raised in Montreal \u2014united by shared determination and hope. Despite growing global evidence supporting the ability of stem cell therapy to regenerate damaged cells and improve outcomes for people living with paralysis and degenerative conditions, the lack of regulation in Canada has left these treatments inaccessible to many patients, primarily because of prohibitive costs.<\/p>\n The event proudly partners with the Angelman Foundation \u2013 Angelman Respite Center, an organization that has provided essential respite services and support to families for over 20 years. Pickleball for a Purpose<\/em> invites participants of all skill levels to learn, play, and contribute to meaningful change\u2014advancing innovation in healing while supporting families in need.<\/p>\n Wharton, 44, says he feels uneasy and uncomfortable to share his story with the public because he has become a very private person, \u201cbut I am running out of time. I have been a tetraplegic since July 25, 2015. I can share who I was before the accident. I lived, breathed and found joy and purpose being an athlete. Taking care of my physical health and enjoying the process of learning a new sport, skill and technique was indescribable. The thrill of winning a competition felt like I had purpose. Like a million bucks! Ever since I can remember I was participating in some sport, competition, solo or in a team and this made me feel alive. I was a student of Jujitsu, held a purple belt and was on my way to a brown belt. At this time, I was also teaching and training in a mentor ship role. Developing sets and available as a sparring partner and I was also working as a personal trainer. Truly this was the high of my life. I was in shape working out six days a week and was doing heavy duty mechanics on the side. In our cold Canadian winters, you would find me on the slopes snowboarding and \/or playing hockey.\u201d<\/p>\n Wharton said that he travelled a lot before the accident. He had an incredible passion and curiosity to learn about different cultures, the music, the dance and the food. \u201cWhen I wasn\u2019t dancing, I was rolling (Jujitsu)on the mats, snowboarding the slopes or traveling the globe to see family,\u201d he said. \u201cI was working as a heavy-duty mechanic and upgrading my Subaru and doing side jobs for family and friends. I loved working with my hands from woodworking, welding, crafts and building ornaments with clay and sewing.\u201d<\/p>\n Concerning the accident, Wharton said that he had his Jesus incident; he died and came back. He was on my motorcycle in the middle lane, with his wife in the right lane. There was a car that cut in front of him and he was unable to stop in time and hit the middle frame of the car. At the hospital he learned he was paralyzed. A few months later, still in hospital, his wife left him on the weekend he was discharged from hospital. For five years following this accident he fought and struggled with the SAAQ (Societe de d’Assurance automobile du Quebec) to acquire the compensation that he was owed from the accident. This was a struggle as he had to pay out pocket to support home care including physiotherapy, caregiver services, home adaptations and more. His parents and caregivers look after him. He plays chess, reads audibles and does meditation and breathwork.<\/p>\n Wharton said he started a GoFundMe campaign as stem cell treatment represents a sliver of hope. \u201c I want to walk,\u201d he says. \u201cI have the right to walk again. Maybe I\u2019m a little wiser now and I am learning how to ask for help. Please, help me walk again.<\/p>\n For more information on the event and to reserve your tickets go here<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n To hear more of his\u00a0 story and make a donation to his cause his Go Fund Me Campaign link is here<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n ALDO NOVA RETURNS:<\/strong> Montreal rocker Aldo Nova<\/strong>, a songwriter, composer, performer, producer, guitarist, multi-instrumentalist and Grammy Award winner over a career spanning four decades and dozens of hits, is returning to the local stage after a self-imposed hiatus of 35 years. He will appear at the Montreal Casino on Sat Jan. 31 (7:30 pm) Aldo Nova\u2019s career took off at lightning speed when his self-titled debut album, Aldo Nova, reached multi-platinum status and the top 10 of numerous charts, propelled by the hit Fantasy, for which he also directed the music video. Success continued with the release of his second album, Subject\u2026 Aldo Nova. Twitch, his third album, was also successful, producing the single Tonight (Lift Me Up). The album Blood on the Bricks, written, composed, and produced by Aldo and Jon Bon Jovi, enjoyed phenomenal success. Over the years, he has collaborated extensively (songwriting, composing, producing) with some of the biggest stars in the business: C\u00e9line Dion, Faith Hill, Jon Bon Jovi<\/strong>, Blue \u00d6yster Cult, Elton John, Clay Aiken<\/strong> (American Idol), Carole King, Garou, Robert Charlebois, \u00c9ric Lapointe, Cheap Trick, Mario Pelchat<\/strong>, Hall & Oates, Patrick Bruel, Cyndi Lauper<\/strong> and\u00a0 Sammy Hagar.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Aldo Nova<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n In 2025, Aldo returned to the stage, but an unfortunate fall down a flight of stairs forced him to cancel the tour: fracture of the cervical spine at the first vertebra (C1). This type of injury often causes paralysis and can even be fatal. However, months of physiotherapy have allowed Aldo to resume rehearsals and get back on tour at the very start of the new year. Yep, this will be his first hometown performance since 1991! I had a scheduled interview with him last week, but it was cancelled due to some family reasons on his side. Hopefully it will be rescheduled.<\/p>\n LAURIETS :<\/strong> Applications are now open for the eighth edition of the Lauriers de la gastronomie qu\u00e9b\u00e9coise awards. Until midnight on Feb.\u00a0 4, industry professionals are invited to apply or to nominate talents who shape and promote local gastronomy. The Lauriers would like to thank their valuable partners, notably Donald Martel, minister of \u2019Agriculture, des P\u00eacheries et de l\u2019Alimentation du Qu\u00e9bec, as well as the Gala’s founding members: Daniel Lacombe of LDE \u00c9co-Logixx, ITHQ, and Tourisme Montr\u00e9al. Their renewed support and commitment to this event are essential to the influence and sustainability of the Lauriers de la gastronomie qu\u00e9b\u00e9coise. From Restaurant of the Year to Artisan of the Year, including the Best Service Award, Revelation of the Year, or Mixologist of the Year, there are 17 categories that highlight excellence, creativity, and commitment to the Quebec gastronomic community. Visit lauriers.ca<\/a> to submit your applications. The 2026 finalists will be announced on March 23. As for the winners, they will be unveiled at the Lauriers de la gastronomie qu\u00e9b\u00e9coise Gala on Monday, May 4, 2026. This year, the event moves to the heart of the Quartier Latin. The networking cocktail and award ceremony will take place at Salle Pierre-Mercure of the Centre Pierre-P\u00e9ladeau, while the festive evening will continue a few steps away, at the Studio-Cabaret of Espace St-Denis.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Martin Lord Ferguson<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n
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