In the span of two days, Airdrie resident Lovepreet Deo has raised nearly half of her goal for the Canadian Cancer Society. Deo has pledged that during the month of June, she will complete 150 kilometres of biking, with another 50 kilometres of rowing. 

Deo, 41, who has lived with cerebral palsy her entire life walks as many as 10,000 steps a day though doctors predicted she may never have taken a step with her diagnosis. She said that for the past several years around the time of her birthday (June 11) she has been doing different types of physical challenges to raise money and awareness for various causes. 

"Last year, I climbed the stairs (167 steps) at Signal Hill [Calgary]. [This year] I wanted to do something different, something bigger, and raise money for a good cause. So this is what I came up with," she said.

She added that she choose to donate to the Canadian Cancer Society because almost every single individual knows someone who has been affected by cancer or has lost someone to a terminal illness. Deo who uses a walker to help with her mobility said that her disability hasn't stopped her from enjoying various physical pursuits, in fact it has made her even more determined. An early riser, Deo gets up at 6 a.m. every morning to ride her bike before work and then also frequently goes to the gym after her day is done. She is also an avid swimmer. 

"I want to prove it to myself and nobody else that I can do it and while I'm doing it, I'm having fun," she said. 

When asked what she thinks are some of the biggest misconceptions the public has about those with disabilities, Deo was defiant in her answer, reminding everyone that anything is possible with determination and moxy. 

"I'm not broken, so I don't need to be fixed."

Even though Deo underlined what she does, she does for herself, she has become an inspiration for others and garnered a coveted spot in the top 25 list of Women of Influence+ recipients. However, the invdivdaul most surprised by the nomination and award was Deo herself who said she assumed that the nomination had been a mistake.

"It didn't feel real until I was there."

Although Deo has given herself until June 30 to raise $1,000 dollars, it seems that she will easily surpass the goal within the coming days and weeks, a testament not just to her power to inspire others, but also a testament to the power of her fierce and unapologetic independence and pluck.

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