SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. – Allan Vincent makes his way slowly through the crush of fans to the front of the autograph line at Credit Union Place on Friday evening.
Like all the others, he had come to this special homecoming event for Heather Moyse to welcome her back to Summerside and to have a chance to say hello.
And now that the speeches were over, one of her biggest Island fans was ready to do just that.
“He was the first person here, waiting 30 minutes before we even opened the doors,” says a photographer. “I see him at every event with Heather Moyse.”
Vincent, who came to the celebration with his wife, holds a heavy binder filled with photographs captured of the Olympian, author and speaker.
“Heather is a good friend, and I’ve know her for about 10 years,” said Vincent. “The first time I met her was at Bruce Rainnie’s book signing in Charlottetown, but I always followed her on television and when she was competing in the Olympics.
“Taking photographs is a big hobby for me, so I brought along my binder filled with images of her, along with a couple to be autographed. I’ve always been a picture collector,” he added. “But I had a stroke about 11 years ago, so I can’t see very well.”
Despite failing eyesight, Vincent is determined to support the four-time Olympian, who has represented Canada internationally in bobsleigh, rugby and cycling.
“I have her first book, “Redefining Realistic”, and my wife reads parts of it to me,” said Vincent, who brought the book along, too, for Moyse to sign.
“Heather is very special to me because no matter where you see her, she always has time to say hello and talk. What a great turnout and God bless her,” he said.
When Moyse saw Vincent, one of her well-known smiles lit up her face.
“I see Allan every year, but this is a blessing to see him in winter because we normally meet in the summer.
“But to come back after the Olympics and have such a great reception in Summerside is really special to me. I mean, this is my hometown and it’s important for me to share these things with them and show that I value them.”
The City of Summerside hosted the homecoming event to give residents a chance to interact with Moyse and thank those who showed their support and cheered her on in South Korea. It also gave her an opportunity to talk about her new book.
“We are not from the biggest province. We are small but mighty,” said Moyse.
“The key message in the book is to believe in the possibilities. It’s to not sell yourself short, and that’s a huge thing that I’m passionate about.
“We are all capable of way more than what we give ourselves credit for, and that includes our abilities to impact other people, to achieve goals. And we just need to realize that we need to get rid of our self-imposed limitations and start embracing our potential.”
P.E.I. Premier Wade MacLauchlan thanked Moyse on behalf of the province for sliding back into the Olympics with the bobsleigh, after almost a four-year hiatus.
“We are all behind you, and we sure as hell would not want to be in front of you,” he said.
Moyse concluded, “Own your story. Say no to the excuses, own your choices, and move forward with no regrets.”
