INNISFAIL – Canadian Pro Rodeo hall of famer Duane Daines and dance partner Natalie Brooks are the newly crowned champions of the 2018 Sheraton Celebrity Dance Off.
But it’s what Daines is doing post-event that deserves the real spotlight.
After winning the Mirror Ball Trophy in Red Deer on April 14, Daines decided to donate his specialized wheelchair to a surviving member of the tragic Humboldt Broncos bus crash on April 6.
"It was the right thing to do," said Daines. "It was just a week after the Broncos crash. Ryan Straschnitzki is that young hockey player from Airdrie and he's going to get that chair that I used.”
Daines went to Airdrie at the end of April, met Ryan and his family and told them he would like to make the donation to help Ryan through a difficult time.
The top end sports wheelchair will help Straschnitzki, who was paralyzed from the chest down, to remain active.
"It's designed specifically for sports in a wheelchair," said Daines.
The Humboldt Broncos tragedy touched many Canadians. Daines said the family was thankful for the support from everyone.
"His family are overwhelmed by everybody. I think they really do appreciate all the stuff,” said Daines, adding he plans to drop the chair off in the near future.
Daines said he understands what Straschnitzki may be going through and had some encouraging words for the injured young hockey player.
"Take it day by day, don't get frustrated," he said, noting that he believes Straschnitzki will be OK. “He's a young guy but it's overwhelming right now.
“He’s doing great,” he added.
“I left my number, (so) if there's anything he or his family need, to call any time.”
Daines said his dance partner Natalie Brooks pushed through the event, despite injuring her knee the day of the competition during a morning rehearsal.
"She cowboyed up and toughed it out,” said Daines. "Everybody had a good time and we raised a lot of money,” he said, noting about $400,000 was raised from the entire evening.
The money is going to the 2019 Canada Winter Games Celebration Plaza in downtown Red Deer.
"It feels good. We were all competitive. We all wanted to win but it was for a good cause,” said Daines.
The duo performed their dance routine to Sweet Home Alabama and incorporated some rodeo techniques into the number.
In their first celebrity dance off, Daines and Brooks rose to the occasion.
“If it makes somebody feel a little better about themselves, whatever their adversity is, you can do it,” said Daines. “You can be yourself whatever happens."
