Be storytellers, John Davidson tells FIMS grads

Western News, June 23, 2022
By Keri Ferguson

In 1986, John Davidson and his wife, Sherene, heard news that would change their lives forever.

Their middle son, Jesse, then five-years-old, had been diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a rare and fatal muscle disorder affecting children, with the vast majority of those diagnosed being boys. Duchenne, characterized by a progressive muscle weakness, currently has no cure.

John and Sherene were determined to defeat Duchenne.

“We knew it took research, and that research took a lot of money,” Davidson said. “We also knew there wasn’t much being done.”

He stepped up, promising Jesse he would do everything he could.

In 1995, Davidson left behind his successful career in broadcasting to launch “Jesse’s Journey,” which began with Davidson pushing Jesse in his wheelchair across Ontario, and inspired his solo walk across Canada (continue reading).