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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