Another year, another challenge.
That’s the sentiment of Airdrie resident Lovepreet Deo, who lives with cerebral palsy, as she prepares to take on the Signal Hill steps in Calgary on June 17 (if the weather cooperates_.
Deo has already overcome myriad physical barriers to become an accomplished athlete and advocate for those living with disabilities.
“It makes me feel like I can do anything,” Deo said about her upcoming challenge. “The sky's the limit I guess – something bigger and something better every year.”
Last year, she made local headlines when she successfully ascended the 167 wooden stairs at McHugh Bluff in Calgary, along Memorial Drive, in under an hour to celebrate her 40th birthday.
She has also completed half-marathons on her modified bicycle in the past, and views every new challenge as motivation to keep going.
“I go to the gym every day. I don't take the elevator up, I take the stairs. And then I take the elevator down and take the stairs back up,” Deo said.
Although she recently had a back injury and already had to postpone climbing the Signal Hill steps as a result, her goal is to complete this year’s challenge within an hour. If the ongoing rainfall continues, she might have to postpone her endeavour one more time.
The Signal Hill stairs are a popular workout area in southwest Calgary, with 82 steps climbing to a stretch of pathway that leads to a second set of 90 steps. At the top is Battalion Park, overlooking Signal Hill and the white rocks on the side of the hill that represent the numbers of four Canadian Forces battalions.
Deo’s trainer, Dawn Sorsdahl, who is a wellness specialist and personal trainer at Genesis Place Recreation Centre, has coached her since 2016 and participates in the challenges alongside her.
“It's amazing to have someone to be my backbone,'' Deo said.
Deo said Sorsdahl will be participating in her challenge at the Signal Hill steps on June 17 as well.
She previously mentioned wanting to summit the 802 steps to the top of the Calgary Tower, but found out it would be challenging due to there being no emergency exits.
Instead, she hopes to continue finding other physical challenges to work towards every year, including different popular stair workouts in Calgary.
