A goalkeeper who dreamed of blocking shots from professional players during the pandemic has had his everyday life turned upside down. Within months, recurring pain progressed to a rare cancer diagnosis that required amputation of his right foot to reduce the risk of recurrence and maximize the chances of recovery.
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An athlete at heart, Mathieu Dorais had to give up ice hockey, but he found another passion in which he fully developed.
He now wears the colors of the Rouge et Or of the University of Laval as part of the athletics program, where he first learned the shot put in parasports. He competed in his first RSEQ competition on January 27 at McGill. He will be in action at the provincial championship at PEPS on February 23rd and 24th.
Image credit: courtesy of Louis Charland / Rouge et Or
“I watched the Olympics when I was younger and was always interested in throwing,” he explains. I competed a little in high school and was a regular thrower, but hockey took up a lot of space and I had little time to devote to athletics.
Treatments over nine months
After four months of chemotherapy to shrink the tumor every two weeks, Dorais underwent an amputation in December 2022. After a month of recovery, another round of chemotherapy of the same duration began. Chemotherapy ended in April 2023 and he was diagnosed with complete remission on May 29.
“I fought for my life,” he summarizes. With aggressive chemotherapy, it was a big battle that paid off in the end. This was devastating news. I chose one battle at a time rather than seeing the whole mountain and managed to get through it with the help of my family, medical team and friends.
One of his friends, Xavier Bolduc, contacted him. A former goalkeeper for Drakkar de Baie-Comeau and Foreurs de Val-d'Or and teammate at Midget AAA in Lévis, he was diagnosed with lymph node cancer in the summer of 2020. “He gave me good advice and I knew more about it.” That calmed me down. When I share my story, it is in the hope that my determination will inspire younger people.”
Advice that makes the difference
Tired of the treatments and lacking energy, the student, who will begin a master's degree in digital business management this summer after completing his bachelor's degree in labor relations, contacted Parasport Québec at the suggestion of his physiotherapist Ariane Rajotte-Martel, who recommended that he return to sport as soon as possible possible.
“Because I wanted to make a fresh start and was already studying in Quebec, I didn't want to practice sled hockey, which only took place in Montreal,” he emphasizes. Parasport informed me that the Rouge et Or athletics club has a section for the disabled. Ariane's idea allowed me to recharge and rekindle the competitive flame within me. It was also beneficial on a mental level.”
Very fast progress
Together with Nathalie Séguin, coach of the Quebec team, Dorais started doing the seated shot put in July. He also met the Rouge et Or's throwing coach, Joey Lussier, who allowed him to train with the club's other throwers.
After two competitions in the sitting category, where he reached the 11m mark, Dorais joined the Rouge et Or. “I didn't think it would be possible this year and it wasn't in the plans, but I've made a lot of progress. Standing throwing infected me and allowed me to rediscover the camaraderie of a group.”
“Weighing 7.25kg instead of 6kg, it took me some time to get used to it, but things went well at McGill,” adds Dorais. Sitting and standing are very different, even though some technical movements are similar.”
Dorais can now contribute to the success of Rouge et Or. “I can score points for the team by finishing in the top eight and help us come out on top at the provincial championship.” It's extra motivation. I’m looking forward to the provincial championships at PEPS and hope to qualify for the national championships in Winnipeg.”
The former goalkeeper is pleased with his progress. “It gives me great pride to compete in the RSEQ network and beat some of them.”
Paralympic Games
Even though he continues to play in the RSEQ for the next four years, Dorais has no intention of giving up the seat throw in the hopes of one day competing in the Paralympic Games.
“It is still too early to hope for qualification, but I will still take part in the Olympic Trials this summer to gain experience. The national team standard is 11.32m and I am close to 10m at the moment. The aim is to progress further in the future and qualify for the Paralympic Games.”