Before suffering a stroke that took most of her speech and left one side paralyzed, Paddy Tillotson was a Child Protection Worker who, according to Eve Reinalz, was a workaholic caregiver who was there for everyone that came into her life; clients, family, friends, her fellow workers and more.

Today Paddy Tillotson is a workaholic “overcomer” and an unparalleled inspiration giver.

The stroke left Paddy aphasic, which means the language area of her brain has been damaged leaving her communication abilities through speech somewhat challenged. In my opinion that’s why when Paddy hears the word “impossible”, it doesn’t quite get through. Instead she hears, “Wow! What a challenge! I wonder how I could do that.”

Given this approach to life, Paddy has continued her strong interest in cooking and baking. Of course, the restrictions caused by her stroke, forces her to make adjustments on how she manages the process but manage she does and I hear she’s an especially good baker.

But Paddy hasn’t relied only on her more sedentary talents. Since her stroke, as well as painting and weaving, she’s begun swimming and kayaking -- she’s had a special kayak build that allows her to paddle using only one arm … Oh yeah … and she also started sit-skiing this year.

It seems that when Paddy makes up her mind to do something, it’s pretty hard to stop her. Like the time she decided to join her friends to go tubing down the Cowichan River. There was no way she could be dissuaded and down the river she went. There were challenges, but she had a great time. So did her friends.

For the first few months, the stroke restricted her ability to get around but then she got one of those electric scooters and off she went. Then, a year of so ago, she began to find the scooter more and more restrictive, so she set her mind on driving and now, after a three day driving test in Vancouver, she’s bought a truck and hit the road.

Before I went to Paddy’s home (She lives on her own in her own condo) I had met her only in crowds at major events downtown, a place where it’s difficult or impossible to carry on a conversation with anyone and especially difficult to communicate with someone who has only a limited number of words but it was totally different with only a few of us in her home. Communication wasn’t a problem. This woman has more positive energy than Carter has pills!

When it came time to set up that meeting at her home, I have to admit that I put off making the call as long as I could because I was afraid. I simply couldn’t image how I would be able to communicate with her over the telephone. Finally, at the last minute, I looked my fear in the eye and made the call.

“Hello Paddy. It’s Bill Robinson calling. Eve and Crystal have nominated you as a Hidden Hero. Would you let me do a column and TV feature on you?”

“Yes, yes!”

“Great. Could we do it next Tuesday?”

“Yes, yes!”

“I hear you went skiing last weekend. Were you scared?”

“No, no. Fun!”

And so the conversation went. Paddy’s enthusiasm for life sings over the telephone lines and when I hung up, I felt great … totally energized and full of life. Meeting her in person at her home multiplied that feeling exponentially. Paddy Tillotson is simply an astounding inspirational human being.

I hope I remember Paddy the next time I meet a person that seems a little different or challenged, and with that memory, I expect I will take whatever time is needed to get to know them, even just a little, instead of giving them a friendly hello and then running away. How about you?