Jason Dunkerley turns rain into sunshine with powerful autobiography Visions of Hope

OTTAWA – Jason Dunkerley was primarily a middle distance runner in his long national team career, which included five medals over five Paralympic Games, but his new book Visions of Hope: Running Towards my Own Truth was a marathon project.

As he was on the track, the visually impaired runner was determined to reach the finish line, in this case the last line.

It was another objective reached for Dunkerley, who never let his lack of sight diminish his drive to live life to the fullest or prevent him from developing his multifaceted talent and inspiring others to achieve personal fulfillment through music and sport.

And it was well worth the wait. Dunkerley has produced a riveting account of his extraordinary life on and off the playing field.

Visions of Hope: Running Towards my Own Truth is currently available at Amazon, Indigo and Yorkland Publishing

‘’I’ve been thinking about writing a book for years really,” Dunkerley told CPC last week from Ottawa, where he resides. “I had a story that I wanted to share. Some people connected to me through running, some through music, others through work, and of course personally. I wanted to bring that together.”

In the 232-page autobiography published by Yorkland Publishing, Dunkerley delves behind the scenes in the world of high performance sport: the rigours of intensive training, the rapport between athletes, and in Dunkerley’s case his relationship with his guides. He transforms injuries, competitive heartbreaks and uncertainty into triumphs – and we are not necessarily talking medals here.

But the heartbeat of the story is Dunkerley’s life outside the playing field. Topics include immigration, marriage breakup, suicide, and ultimately a life-saving decision, and throughout Dunkerley wields his wisdom and philosophies. It ultimately leads to a universal message.

‘’It was important for me first, that my story shows younger people who are visually impaired, and their parents especially, that they could realize that blindness doesn’t put you on the sidelines, especially in regard to physical activity and education,” said Dunkerley, whose brother Jon is also a visually impaired Paralympian.

‘’With the right support and encouragement, it is possible to follow your passion like I did with running and music.”

The book is dedicated to Dunkerley’s mother Rae, who passed away in 2019: “who gave me life, love, self-belief. Your light guides me forward.”

‘’She was such a profound influence,” he said. ‘’I try to tell my story but also relate her story as well.”

Dunkerley said it took about four and half years to complete the project and just like the last few hundred metres of a 5000-metre race it took every ounce of energy to pound that final period on the keyboard.

As a visually impaired runner, Dunkerley competed with a guide. In the book writing process, Dr. Joannie Halas in some sort filled that role.

‘’There were some stops and starts for sure,’’ he said. ‘’Joannie was a friend from university, and she would encourage me to keep at it and she really helped me with the manuscript and always asking me when she can expect the next chapter.’’

‘’She was the voice in my head encouraging me not to give up. There were certainly moments where I was wondering whether I really did have this in me, and whether it is a story worth telling – with all those insecurities that pop up when you’re trying to be vulnerable, I’m just very grateful to her.’’

Anyone who attempts to be published in this day and age knows all too well the challenges in the business. More and more publishers pay greater attention to your level of influence on social media rather than the quality of the story.

But it was obvious Visions of Hope: Running Towards my Own Truth went beyond the regular sports story.

‘’Visions of Hope is an insightful at times poetic account of the life of a Canadian Paralympian,’’ wrote legendary Canadian Olympic runner Bruce Kidd in the foreword. ‘’Right off the top you’re caught up in the stresses and adventures of the sport and the efforts he had to make to manage the relationships and environments around him.

‘’It’s a moving and courageous story.”

Dunkerley is also a talented musician and songwriter and he sprinkles some of his poetry throughout the book.

‘’Those poems really convey a lot of deep feelings and reactions about my life,” said Dunkerley. ‘’I’m proud of them and I was happy to include them in the book. Poetry is a different way of expressing ourselves.”

Jason Dunkerley will officially launch his biography on Thursday May 1 at at Ottawa’s Red Bird (1165 Bank St.) at 8 p.m. At the launch he will also perform songs from his latest CD Out of the Blue.