Article – I watched Billy Bridges, one of our national sledge hockey greats, take to the ice during the 2023 Canadian championships in Richmond. The precision in his movements, the way his custom sledge seemed like an extension of his body – it was artistry forged through decades of elite competition.
That’s why news of the theft of his irreplaceable Paralympic memorabilia hits particularly hard for those who follow Paralympic sports in Canada.
Last Thursday, Bridges and his wife Sami Jo Small, herself an Olympic hockey medallist, discovered their storage unit in Mississauga had been broken into. Gone were items representing a 25-year Paralympic career: gold medals, Team Canada jerseys, custom-made equipment, and countless mementos from international competitions dating back to the 1998 Paralympic Games.
“These aren’t just objects,” Bridges told me during a phone conversation yesterday. “They’re physical reminders of sacrifices my family made, of teammates who became brothers. You can’t put a price on that history.”
Peel Regional Police confirmed they’re investigating the break-in at the Public Storage facility near Dundas Street East and Universal Drive. Detective Constable Rachel Thompson acknowledges these aren’t typical stolen goods.
“The items taken hold immense personal significance but limited resale value to anyone outside the Paralympic community,” Thompson explained. “We’re asking pawn shops, sports memorabilia dealers and online marketplace users to be vigilant.”
For Bridges, a five-time Paralympian with 340 goals for Team Canada, the theft represents more than personal loss. Many items were earmarked for a future display celebrating Paralympic achievement in Canada.
“Billy has been keeping these items not just for himself but for a broader purpose,” said Karen O’Neill, CEO of the Canadian Paralympic Committee. “His collection represents a significant chapter in Canadian Paralympic history that deserves to be preserved and celebrated.”
The hockey community has rallied quickly. Former teammates have shared photos of the missing items across social media platforms, and the Canadian Paralympic Committee issued a statement urging anyone with information to come forward.
Some of the most significant missing items include:
– Gold medals from the 2006 Torino and 2013 World Championships
– Custom sledge equipment from five Paralympic Games
– Team Canada jerseys with personalized signatures
– Paralympic torch from the 2010 Vancouver Games
What makes this theft particularly troubling is the timing. Bridges had recently gathered these items from various family homes to create a comprehensive archive of his Paralympic journey.
“The theft of Paralympic memorabilia hits differently,” explains Dr. Laura Misener, Director of the School of Kinesiology at Western University who studies Paralympic legacy. “These artifacts represent not just athletic achievement but often personal triumph over significant life challenges.”
Statistics Canada reported a 22% increase in property crime in Peel Region during the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period last year. But this case stands apart from typical theft patterns.
“It’s likely the thieves didn’t realize what they were taking,” said Constable Thompson. “These items have tremendous sentimental value but would be difficult to sell through traditional channels without raising suspicion.”
Small, Bridges’ wife, posted a heartfelt plea on social media that has been shared over 5,000 times: “No questions asked – we just want these pieces of Paralympic history returned to where they belong.”
The storage facility has provided security camera footage to police, though investigators haven’t revealed whether they’ve identified potential suspects.
For the Paralympic community, this theft represents more than stolen property – it’s the erasure of visible proof of achievement in a sporting realm that already struggles for recognition.
“Paralympic athletes fight twice as hard for recognition,” noted Josh Dueck, Chef de Mission for Canada’s 2022 Paralympic team. “Their memorabilia represents not just medals and wins but the breaking of barriers and changing of perceptions.”
Bridges, known for his resilience on the ice, remains hopeful. “I believe in people doing the right thing. These items mean everything to me and very little to whoever took them.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact Peel Regional Police or Crime Stoppers. The Canadian Paralympic Committee has also established a confidential email for tips that could lead to the recovery of these items.
As the investigation continues, this theft serves as a reminder of how Paralympic achievements often remain undervalued in our sporting consciousness – until they’re gone.
“Each medal, each jersey tells a story of overcoming,” Bridges said. “I’m just hoping for the chance to share those stories again.”
