Cambridge woman will 'swim for a cure' despite debilitating illness

Doing things the traditional way is not how CJ Janzen typically lives her life. 

The Cambridge disability advocate is determined to prove that disabled people can make a difference, no matter their struggle. 

Janzen will embark on one of her most ambitious challenges next week when she takes to the pool Oct. 6, swimming one kilometre to raise awareness and funds for the CIBC Run for a Cure.

After losing her mother to cancer when she was a teen, Janzen says she's been dedicated to honouring her family and helping support others in adverse situations. 

"I am 80-90 per cent bed-bound most days and I use a wheelchair and so, I am wanting to prove this month that even though my life is limited by a severe neuro-immune illness called Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), I can still do hard things," said Janzen in an email to CambridgeToday. 

Janzen's ME leaves her in a debilitated state after any physical movement, sometimes taking her weeks or months to recover.  

In 2017, she participated in the CIBC Run for a Cure, walking one kilometre with her forearm crutches and a friend behind her with a backup wheelchair just in case she collapsed. 

By the time she had crossed the finish line, the event organizers were already packing up to head home.

"I was so thrilled to have made it!! - but that took me 8 MONTHS to recover from," Janzen wrote.

This year, she doesn't have eight months to spare so she's switching to an old passion of hers; swimming. 

"Breast cancer stole my mom and my childhood; this is why I want to participate," said Janzen. "That said, I can't take a hit to my health like that this time around."

Before Janzen was diagnosed with ME, she was a master scuba diver, travelling the world teaching others how to dive.

Now she's returning to the water in a quest to raise $2,000 for the charity. 

Her goal is to swim one kilometre, or 112 lengths of the pool at the Fairview Seniors Community. She said without her two volunteers, this would not be possible. 

"Durrah who is my personal support worker, she helps me change, lowers me into the pool on a special lift chair, fishes me out after I'm done and then helps me shower and dress," she said. "I also have Matt, who is a certified lifeguard who will be watching over me and ensuring my safety as this will be quite taxing for me."

So far she has raised just over $900 toward her goal.

She hopes that others can look at their circumstances and find other unique ways to participate in charities and community activities. 

"We can all make positive a difference in the world," said Janzen. "People who are disabled can still bring amazing skills, energy, and value to any employer"