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CBC Program Guide: Tom McCamus

The Walter Gretzky Story: Waking Up Wally

What would it be like to suddenly wake up and not know your wife and children-a stranger to them and even yourself? This happened to Walter Gretzky, the world's most famous Hockey Dad. The Walter Gretzky Story: Waking Up Wally is an inspiring movie about hope, courage, love and trust, starring Tom McCamus as Walter Gretzky.

Based on the best-selling book Walter Gretzky: On Family, Hockey and Healing, the film dramatizes the true story of Gretzky's struggle to regain his life and memory after suffering a brain aneurysm in 1991. The story begins on the legendary backyard rink in Brantford, Ont., where Gretzky does much more than lace up the first pair of skates for his young son Wayne, hockey's future #99. A devoted family man, who mentors and coaches his eldest son to hockey greatness, Gretzky is respected for his solid work ethic and straight-shooting approach to life. But as he settles into retirement, tragedy transforms his world.

In 1991, the Gretzkys' lives change forever when "Wally" suffers a stroke. Suddenly, precious memories and nearly every recollection of Wayne's record-smashing career are gone. Wally's behaviour becomes childlike, impulsive and sometimes dangerous. He lives in his own world, a stranger to himself and all that know him.

But with the devoted support of his wife, Phyllis (Victoria Snow), and with the help of his children (Kris Holden-Ried as Wayne and Tara Spencer-Nairn as Kim), friends and therapist (Ian Kohler), Gretzky finds his way back to his two great loves: family and hockey. He emerges from the experience a changed man, touching the lives of everyone he meets.

"Every second of every day is important to me and if telling my story can help even one person, then all of this will be worth it," said Gretzky. "There is life after stroke, a quality life-look at me!"
(*High Definition where available) (Described Video)

Want to know more? Visit the The Walter Gretzky Story: Waking Up Wally website:
http://www.cbc.ca/tvarts/bigticket/

© CBC

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