Susan Grimstead and Jeremy Rempel were selected by a committee among a field of 10 possible athletes and now have their plaques mounted on the wall of Meridian Credit Union Arena.

"It's an Olympic year and both of them have been in the Olympics. It's just a coincidence they are both disabled athletes," said Randy Crickmore, chairman of the Wall. "Faced with their situation, most of us would quit, but Susan and Jeremy didn't look back and they rose to the challenge. It's that kind of spirit we're looking for."

Grimstead shared the same cancer and disability as Terry Fox. She was a member of the Canadian Summer and Winter Olympic teams that won gold and set world records in high jumping, long jumping and downhill skiing.

"I'm proud to be from Niagara-on-the-Lake. It's such a great honour," said Grimstead. "I was really nervous when I made my speech, which is why it was so short."

When Grimstead was competing, she received letters of recognition from hockey greats Bobby Orr and Don Cherry.

In the early 1970s, her parents Barb and Joe would drive her to practices.

"At that time, disabled sports was relatively new. There wasn't a high level of participation and funding," she said. "It's a lot different now. Things have changed in 30 years. I guess you could say I was a pioneer at that time. It's come a long way."

Rempel, who now lives in Niagara Falls, competed for over 10 years, beginning in 1985.

He won numerous provincial, national and international wheelchair road racing competitions and ultimately earned eight championship gold and two bronze medals.

"I don't want to brag, but I've won so many awards," said Rempel. "This is where I grew up, it makes me feel great to be rewarded from the community."

During his ninth birthday party, Remple was out riding bicycles with his friends on Cowline Rd. when a fast-moving pick-up truck hit him.

He lay in a coma for several months and his lower body was paralyzed.

"Before he was injured, he played hockey and all kinds of sports," said his father, Ray. "He was only interested in winning. After a game he would talk about what the team could have done differently."

In the late 1980s, Ray Rempel started a St. Catharines-based sledge hockey non-profit organization, Sport By Ability Niagara, for Jeremy and others who were faced with similar situations and wanted an athletic outlet.

On the drive over to the ceremony, Jeremy recalled all the hard work he put into training, said Ray.

"It's an amazing award. It brings back a lot of memories. He has influenced a lot of kids."