I became Brad's family physician in 2004 and still recall the day I met Brad in the office. He brought me an article about his climb up the Chief in Squamish and I read it in amazement. I was struck by his determination and commitment, realizing that he was a very unique patient.

Brad was looking for a doctor that would support him not only in achieving his dream in the safest possible manner, but also in pursuing an active, healthy lifestyle without "pushing meds", and I was glad to do so. I could see how driven he was to pursue his passion in spite of the obstacles. I was thus hooked into his wall-climbing journey, in spite of the potential dangers and risks to his health.

My own passion happens to lie in documentary filmmaking: the real fluke in our meeting. While I am the farthest possible from being a wall-climbing athlete, I love adventure and my most recent documentary short, We Don't Live in Igloos: Inuvik youth speak out (peer reviewed article) was inspired by a rural stint working with teens up in the Northwest Territories, at the most northern tip of Canada.

I think the biggest challenge in life is going for what you really want in love or work. I believe in taking chances, being completely vulnerable and overcoming the fear of failure. Life is too short to waste dreaming.

Winner of the 1999 - 2000 Monteith Essay Competition

Canadian Family Physican -- "The simple life"


Janet gives climbing indoors a try, and also gets in the "contraption" to get a better understanding of what it will take to climb EL Capitan. Dr. Ip has shoulder problems (subluxation) too. She is a rare find these days -- ask anyone looking for a GP they can trust.

What is Autonomic Dysreflexia, and why it is dangerous for quads going big wall climbing.