(Photo courtesy of Stephanie Clark)
The Canadian Paralympic Committee is deeply saddened to learn of the loss of Paralympian Arley McNeney (née Cruthers) at the age of 40.
A well-respected and accomplished athlete, McNeney competed for Canada in wheelchair basketball for many years, winning a bronze medal at the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games as well as two world championship titles.
After concluding her career as a high-performance athlete, McNeney remained close to sport, working in multiple roles. This included leading communications and marketing for the BC Wheelchair Sports Association for many years, and supporting Team Canada at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, Toronto 2015 Parapan Am Games, and Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. Her combined expertise as an athlete and skills in communications, storytelling, and social media played a significant role in helping to grow Para sport in Canada.
McNeney also dedicated her life to disability rights and social justice, and she was a tireless activist working to advance accessibility, inclusion, and equity.
She was an incredible athlete, advocate, and person who impacted the lives of so many within the Canadian Para sport and disability communities, and she will be deeply missed. Our thoughts are with all of her family and friends.
