My 1993 bucket list

When I was 17 years old I was stabbed thirteen times and came pretty close to dying so I made a bucket list of things I wanted to accomplish before I died.  I emailed myself a copy that I just found so here it is.




1. See Motley Crue in concert :  Seen them 15 times 

2. Love someone unconditionally - I have my beautiful wife and daughter who are everything to me

3. Go somewhere tropical - Seven years ago I was lucky enough to go to Punta Cana in the Dominican republic

4. Have my own website - I had that with my "Timmies For Troops page (Thankasoldier) 

5. Do something to affect history - I think forming a online petition and group to have Canada Post issue a stamp honoring our soldier and veterans, getting almost 7000 signatures and media coverage on it and getting it issued for October 2009 is pretty historic I would think.

6. Meet someone famous - To date I've met Darcy Tucker, Bryan Adams, Pat 
Burns, Wendell Clark, Martin Short, Rex Goudie, Bryan Mellow, Kalan Porter, 
Kat Von D, Jessie James (the bike guy&), The Trailer Park boys, KISS, Crue, Bret Michaels. 

7. Climb a Mountain - I get this one on a technicality hahah, took the gondola to the top of sulfur mountain in Banff then did 900+ stairs from the peak of one mountain down and up the other side.

8. Do something to make my parents proud - The first time I received media coverage of my Tim Horton's for our troops mission, both my parents told me how proud they were of me. Seeing comments on my brothers and sisters facebook status's and hearing from cousins and relatives. I think this one is a easy write off :)

9. Make the 6:00pm News - this one is pretty easy, CityTV toronto, citytv calgary, global toronto, ctv ottawa, calgary, 570 Kitchener, cfra ottawa, vocm newfoundland, north york mirror, edmonton, calgary & toronto sun, The downhomer............ Yeah this one can go too.

10. Do something crazy in front of a large crowd: I would have to say singing shaggy - angel in the dominican republic in front of about 4000 people is right up there. 

11. Be at a once in a life time event - Sarfest Toronto 2001 550,000 people acdc, stones, tea party, rush, blue rodeo and others was pretty epic.

12. See the maple leafs play live - made this one when I was very young and thankfully have been to 20+ live leafs game, seeing the leafs win the cup however may not end up on this list lol

13. Make a difference in someones life - Having talked to people like Kay kennedy, Anita Horn, Jim Seggie, Michael Hornborg, Shane Keating, and other family members of fallen soldiers killed in Afghanistan and have them thank me personally for keeping the memory of their sons alive means more to me than any media coverage or any recognition I've gotten with the things I do for the military. I have made several tribute videos and have promised these people that I will do what I can to keep the memory of their fallen alive and well in the minds of people and so far I've live up to my promise. Having spoken with family members of soldiers currently serving, meeting soldiers who have just returned and other amazing troops supporters, I can honestly say I'm not really sure what exactly made me start this on here almost two years ago but it is simply the greatest thing I have ever done and i'm truely thankful for everyone I have met in direct result of these efforts. It is very surreal.

14. Laugh at something stupid for atleast a hour and be able to look back on it and laugh every time I think about it - This one is easy. Bruce Almighty, me my brother darrin, sister dana, mother and brother in law Ken were at this movie and a very silent part at the end when bruce's wife comes to visit him in the hospital someone in the very back lets out the most monsterous belch I have ever heard in my life louder than something in Jurassic park. I start to chuckle and I look over at my sister Dana who i see starting to shake from laughter. Everyone is trying to listen and then i see the chain of laughter move throughout our entire row. It got so bad my sister started squeeking in laughter and had to leave the theatre which just threw me in the fits laughing and I had to follow her out of the theatre as I could not stop laughing and I could tell people were getting annoyed. To this day all we have to say is Bruce Almighty and the laughter starts. ahaahhaah 

15. Do something I was told would never happen - again getting the stamp out, when I had numerous people say it would take years, it happend in seven months.

16. Get a Tattoo - My support our troops decal tattoed on my upper left arm.

17. Sing The Gambler on stage with Kenny rogers  - Not completed
18. Meet Doug Gilmour - Not completed 

Donating One hour a month to charity

I was trying to come with a way to make a difference for my favourite charities for 2019 and I've decided to donate one hour salary every month to a different charity for the year.  It's a small amount but maybe if it catches on you can imagine the difference we could make for whatever charity you choose. 

January - VETS Canada   (Donation Mailed)
February - Guitars For Vets Canada
March -  Calgary Dream Center
April - Calgary Food Bank
May - Salvation Army
June - Kids Up Front Calgary
July - ARTS Senior Animal Rescue
August - Canpraxis

September - Undecided
October - Undecided
November - Undecided
December - Undecided

Will you take part in my #OneHourForCharity Challenge?

Daddy's Mini-Me

Arnold Henry is a born St. Lucian who is currently residing in Chestermere, AB with his wife and their son. Before he became a published children's book author he faced face a harsh rejection letter where an agent had said to him that stories on African-American fathers is a tough sell.

Today, he is living his dreams and promoting fatherhood with his latest publication, Daddy's Mini-Me. He has visited over 60 schools within the past months where he reads to kids. Henry is now working on his new book, Mommy's Mini-Me which is scheduled to be release on Mother's Day 2019.

I met Arnold through a Facebook page called "Calgary Dads" and watched his YouTube series of him reading books to his child.  This hit home with me as my wife and I have read a book to our daughter every night before bed since she was born in 2014.   I met Arnold in person as I had won tickets to see Splash N Boots here in Calgary and had a couple of extra tickets.   I admire his drive and mission and also how he did not let that one agent stop him from achieving his dream.

Arnold wasn't having this and launched a Kickstarter campaign that was able to raise $12,864 to make this dream a reality.


If you would like to order a copy you can do so through Amazon by CLICKING HERE

Some reviews from Amazon:

This book fills the void for what is needed in today's society! Being a great father is a task that often-times goes overlooked and unnoticed. I love how this book shows the passion that one can have about fatherhood. This book shines a light on the joys of parenting and how rewarding it is to watch your little one grow and for them to learn the world; making them a better version of yourself... a 2.0! I really love the book and cannot wait to share it with my future children.

We all loved this book! The first time I read it, my sons eyes lit up with happiness! As soon as we finished, they automatically begged me to read it again! And this time they happily joined in! SUCH A GREAT BOOK FOR EDUCATORS! Your child will love this story! And the agreement at the beginning gives it a beautiful personal touch. When we finished...my husband decided to take the boys for a walk... Obviously, this book has inspiration for fathers! And such a plus for the biracial family! (were and American and Caribbean biracial family. This book touched their heart! Many many thanks!

I came across this book on instagram, and immediately purchased this book to read with my daughter. She’s sees the bald black guy and says “daddy”. Obviously it’s not me, but the similarities are hilarious! I don’t mind being compared to a father who loves his child unconditionally at all! The personal note in the front, and the good dad declaration were great touches!


If you would like to order a copy you can do so through Amazon by CLICKING HERE 

Why It's Important To Donate Blood

I wanted to share my story of when our daughter was born and how it went from the happiest moment of my life to the scariest moment of my life within seconds.

June 30th, 2014 my wife and I make the way to the hospital at 11:00 pm at night as our little one is on the way.  I was a nervous wreck and also the happiest I've ever been as my entire life all I ever wanted to be was a dad.

Fast forward to about 2 pm on July 1st, 2014 and the nurse said "Ok it's go time" I don't remember much about the next 2.5 hours but I remember the moment I first saw our daughter and after a very nerve wrecking ten seconds the first time I heard her little cry was the most amazing thing I had ever heard.


All of a sudden I go from the happiest moment of my life to the scariest moment of my life when one of the doctors yelled something which may have been "Code Red" I don't quite remember.  All of these doctors came running in the room and it was apparent my wife needed a blood transfusion to save her life.

As I sat there in the corner staring at my daughter in front of me scared to death I put my hand down by my daughter and this happened.

Simply the greatest feeling of comfort I have ever had in my life right here in one photo.  Unless you're a parent and have had this happen to you it is very hard to put in to words.  At this point I glanced over at my wife who was out cold and started to have a mild panic attack.

One of the nurses came and took Chloe from me and had moved a chair over in the corner away from what was happening and said "How would you like to feed your daughter for the first time"

There I sat just staring at this little life in my arms as tears flowed down my cheeks trying not to look at what was happening behind me but at the same time my heart was so warm from what was going on in front of me.

Then I started to think about what if she didn't make it, what would I do and how the hell I would do this on my own but thankfully that didn't happen.

My wife has one of the rarest blood types in North America and thankfully after a blood transfusion I was told she was going to be ok. 

Our daughter was born at 415 pm but my wife didn't get to meet her until 830 at night as she slept after her surgery and obviously from being away for 48 hours.  She got to hold her briefly and went back to sleep.


My point in posting this is to say THANK YOU to the Calgarian with AB Negative blood that donated.  If it had not have been for you I would be doing this by myself as a single dad.  I am very thankful for whoever you are and I encourage everyone to get out there and donate blood as you never know who's life you might be saving.

The Day My Four Year Old Went Viral

On January 28th 2019 I was watching the NHL Skills competition with my four year old daughter and after some of the Team USA & Team Canada ladies took part she says to me "Dad I want to do that" I posted a photo of her from the first time she tried skating online with the following caption

Within a few hours it had a few hundred likes and my mind was blown.  Then I received a message from Hockey Night In Canada saying to keep an eye on their social media feeds.

I then received a request from NBC Sports & NHL on NBC asking permission to post the clip of her skating on their feeds

In five days my little girl has been seen by over 450,000 people.  I've received messages from all over the world from other hockey moms and dads proudly sharing the stories of their little ones and their dreams.  I received messages from Olympians and also this one from a female hockey commentator in Minnesota.  Out of all the positive messages I've received there has only been about five negative and sarcastic posts which in this day an age of keyboard warriors and trolls is quite impressive.  I won't even post what they were as they're not even worth mentioning.

My daughter watched her first hockey game when she was four months old in 2014 and has always

been around the game every Saturday night she will watch the Leafs game with me.

My wife and I are very proud of our little one and she's not even five years old.  She is in league bowling this year and has won several awards already for most improved average and bowler of the month.  She continues to blow us a way and we have no doubt she will succeed with whatever she chooses to do in life.

My new birthday

This year I'm going to be starting a new tradition of celebrating my 2nd chance in life in what I'm going to refer to as my "Life Day"

On March 28th, 1994 I was involved in an altercation outside of Bayshore Shopping Centre in Ottawa, Ontario and Stabbed thirteen times.  I came very close to dying that night when one of the knife wounds missed my heart by half an inch.

I feel I have made the most of my life since then by always paying it forward and by starting "Timmies for Troops" in 2007.

A lot of people have asked since reading my "Bell Lets Talk Day" PTSD post what happened to the guys that did this to me.  The charges started as attempted murder then downgrade to aggravated assaults and last I heard two of them went to jail for five years.

It's time for me to bring closure to this now that I have my PTSD from this under control and a different outlook.

Every year on March 28th, I'm going to treat it like a second birthday.  I plan to randomly bring coffee & treats to fire halls & EMS here in Calgary as if it wasn't for them I would be in a wheel chair with one leg and who knows I might not even be here to type this blog.

I am currently searching for the first responders who helped saved my life on this blog "Can You Help me find the first responders who saved my life" 

If I could hope anyone reading this can take away something from this write up it's to cherish every moment you have with your loved ones as you never know when your time might be up.  I was lucky enough to get a second chance in life and going to make the most out of it.

Dave Murphy
Calgary, AB


Links : 
Original BELL Let's Talk Day Post - My Battle With PTSD
Blog post about my request to help find the First Responders who saved my life  

Here are two news articles from the days following the event.

Can You Help Me Find the First Responders who saved my life?

After many years of putting it off and dealing with symptoms of PTSD from what happened to me outside Bayshore Shopping Centre in Ottawa, Ontario I've decided to try and track down any of the first responders that saved my life in 1994.

My name is Dave Murphy and in March of 1994 I was attacked by three guys outside of the Bayshore Shopping Centre and stabbed multiple times. As this is now almost 21 years later many parts of that night are foggy but I'm hoping to find the EMS, Police or any first responders that were on site that night who helped saved my life.

I know two of the stab wounds on my leg if it had not been for a guy holding the muscle in my leg together I would be here typing this right now but I would be doing it from a wheelchair as if it wasn't for him I would have lost my leg.

I attempted to contact the "Personal Healh Information Office" and received the following reply :

Thank you for you inquiry, I would like to inform you that in 1994 Paramedic Service were provided via private firms. I would suggest the inquiring via the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care who are the governing body for all Paramedic Services in Ontario. May I suggest a starting point ,
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care - Personal Health Information Office

I attempted to contact them and received this reply :

We don’t provide the type of information you are looking for.
You could try contacting the local ambulance service that tended to you. I believe they keep records of this sort of thing, or might be able to point you in the right direction.

I did post about the ordeal for #BellLetsTalk day and did have a retired fire fighter contact me who's looking in to it for me as well but maybe someone who knows someone might see this post and be able to help me find some of these heroes who I wouldn't be here today if not for their actions that night.

On the retired fire fighter page one of his friends did post the following :

In a general sense perhaps Nepean police info was incorporated in the the Ottawa Regional Police (Which of course has since transitioned into Ottawa Police Service). The Ottawa Police Service would be my starting point. Now from my time in Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) I know some departments used CPIC more than others if the department didn't have a robust internal computer system but I don't know where to start to access the CPIC. I would guess that a federal access to information request for entries created by Nepean police on xx date near yy time re stabbing incident. On a general note based on my 42 years in federal service all information desired should be done through a formal request. Informal requests / emails can be ignored or fobbed off by civil servants. Formal requests have deadlines to meet and penalties for non compliance. I know this from making a few requests myself while pursuing a grievance. In 1994 the ambulance service was a single entity province wide with dispatch centres (CACC) run by contract entity and some ambulances were private contractors. However the Ministry Of Health (MOH) set and enforced the reporting and documentation criteria across the province and everything ended up with the MOH. The patient log was a huge form in very small print with what seemed like hundreds of check boxes. The same form was used province wide by all ambulances. Those records may not have ever been computerized but likely exist in microfiche. A formal request to MOH for info would help open these old files. A further idea, "follow the money" the ambulance ride and hospital care would have been charged to the patients OHIP number. An formal access request for date time against that OHIP number could be the beginning of getting more information.

You can read my "Battle With PTSD" post for #BellLetsTalk day as well.

I want to find anyone that responded that night and be able to say THANK YOU.  I am going to be in Ontario in April and would love it if I could meet them in person and bring closure to these events and move along with my new life & new baby.

If anyone has any information please feel free to EMAIL ME

Thanks,

Dave Murphy - Calgary, AB