Dwayne Backer, shown in the photo checking in during the 4th Annual Dystonia Walk-and-Wheel event held on June 10, hasn’t let this terrible neurological disease prevent him from living a full life!

When Dwayne, who is now 61 years of age, returned from a stint in the armed forces as a young, healthy 27 year-old, he felt something was wrong. It took doctors 8 months to diagnose the problem and another six months in a hospital recovering from an operation before Dwayne was released. He then completed a degree in Sociology and Religions studies from Laurentian University and opened the popular landmark, Dwayne’s Smoke Shop, situated at the corner of Elgin and Durham. He owned and operated that shop, which many of us are familiar with, for 28 years before being forced to close it to make way for the new YMCA development.

Dwayne decided to take part in the Dystonia Walk-and-Wheel event for the first time this year. He went to his co-workers at Wal Mart, where he is now employed, and other friends from the Royal Bank for pledges. The support he received was tremendous and he ended up collecting no less than $846.75 out of the total of $4300 raised by the entire group of 51 participants.

“I never did anything like this before, but I just wanted to give something back to the community. My friends and fellow workers from Wal Mart and the Royal Bank were just great when it came to donating,” explained Dwayne.