Disabled Sask. man skydives to commemorate epic trek

A northern Saskatchewan man with cerebral palsy who made headlines 20 years ago when he walked from La Ronge to Regina is commemorating the trek with a skydive.

In 1989, Gary Tinker walked 650 kilometres from La Ronge to Regina on crutches to raise awareness about the needs of people with disabilities in the North.

Following the 79-day trek, which ended with the then 21-year-old Tinker dipping his crutch into Regina's Wascana Lake, he founded the Gary Tinker Federation for the disabled.

His advocacy has brought him face to face with Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the Queen.

More importantly, a lot has changed for the better in the North, he said.

"Well, there is access to buildings now you know,those push doors, they never used to have it in the North,"Tinker said. "And there's new homes for people with disabilities."

Still, more work is needed to help disabled people find jobs in the North, he said.

Tinker plans to skydive from 3,000 metres over Moose Jaw later this month.It's a good way to celebrate the 20th anniversary of his walk, he said.

He said he also wants to raise awareness about a conference for people with disabilities in the North that will happen in September.