Merina Farrell
Hometown: Quispamsis, NB
Merina is a woman who is not afraid of a challenge. Spending
more than five years bicycling around the world through 64
countries, Merina was assaulted, chased by a lion, charged by a
hippo and supported her partner through the recovery of Malaria.
Upon returning to New Brunswick, she became an inspirational
educator sharing her travel stories to children at various schools
throughout the province. The goal, to promote the world's diversity
to children by nurturing the idea that though people around the
globe look and sound different, all people have a universal sign of
compassion, a smile. Merina's motivation to show children their
dreams can come true too makes her an ideal Difference Maker in her
community.
Merina believes in the statement "it takes a village to raise a
child," and she credits the teachers and staff at her daughter's
school Samuel de Champlain for being the Difference Makers that
provide an enriched and supportive environment for learning.
Merina wanted to be a part of the 25th Anniversary Relay because
"Rick Hansen is a remarkable role model who demonstrates
achievement by combining a dream with focus, determination and
passion," she said. "It makes me feel proud to be a part of what
Rick Hansen believes in, proud to be Canadian and affirms my
beliefs that small individual acts can be combined to achieve great
things."
Currently working as a personal trainer, nutritionist and boot
camp instructor, Merina promotes healthy lifestyles and encourages
families in her community to get fit together and address the
increasing rate of childhood obesity.
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