Community invited to free showings of Sideways at MHC
In 1986, hockey player Bob Wilke survived a bus crash that claimed the lives of four of his Swift Current Broncos teammates. That moment changed his life forever.
After years of silently suffering to finding the courage to seek help, Wilke transformed his trauma into a mission to break the stigma around mental health and empower others to begin their own healing journeys. His organization, I Got Mind, has been helping athletes and individuals find strength through education, awareness, and support since 2008.
Now, he shares his story in the deeply moving documentary, Sideways, a film that sheds light on the emotional toll of trauma and the power of resilience.
Thanks to a partnership between I Got Mind and The Brandon Niwa Legacy Fund – The Beej Project, community members can attend free showings of Sideways at Medicine Hat College on October 15 and 16.
“Medicine Hat is one of those places in the world that's very near and dear to me. I've been a part of the community for almost 12 years now and have seen all the different things that they've gone through,” says Wilke. “I really hope that coming and watching this, people can realize that, yeah, life has happened to them, and there's some steps that we can take to enjoy life a little more.”
With his message, Wilke also hopes community members will begin to feel comfortable taking part in conversations which promote healing.
“I learned in my healing that I wouldn't have been able to get where I am today without my community,” says Wilke. “Make time to come and learn something that can really help enhance the lives of not only you, but everybody that you're in the community with.”
The showings are open to the public and are held at the college’s Eresman Theatre. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. and the showing begins at 7 p.m.
To view the trailer of Sideways, please visit www.sidewaysdocumentary.ca.