Artist Name:

Julie

Home town:

Thunder Bay, Ontario

Description:

This helmet honours my mother-in-law, who passed away from ALS in 2019, when her grandchildren were just 8 and 10. Inspired by her beloved perennial garden in Thunder Bay, the design features flowers we continue to grow in our own garden, including the blue cornflower and purple coneflower she loved. These hardy perennials thrive in Northern Ontario, reflecting the resilience our family needed throughout her illness. The cornflower, a symbol of ALS, is a meaningful reminder of her and the garden she was so proud of. Both my children are alpine ski racers, though their grandmother never had the chance to see them compete. My son now races with the Ontario Development Ski Team, and my daughter is a second-year U16 racer. As they grow older, they are gaining a deeper understanding of ALS and supporting Seger’s campaign to raise awareness. The three lines at the top represent three generations of our family, while the stars symbolize the universal connections that bring us together.