Full circle

“I can do this… I’m not afraid. This is hard… I can do this… I feel strong”, were the mantras spinning through Janet Tufts’ mind as she conquered the 100 km route as part of the 2025 Forest City Cycling Challenge (FCCC).

With each push of the pedal and every breath of morning air that filled her lungs, her confidence grew and the memories of a horrific accident that happened less than a year before began to diminish.  

It was an emotional but exhilarating full circle moment. And one that Tufts shares in spirit with her care teams at St. Joseph’s who have been there for her throughout her recovery.

A tragic accident
Tufts is more than just a weekend warrior. A runner, cyclist, swimmer and elite athlete, she has been competing in races including marathons for years.

It was in September 2024, that she travelled to Michigan to take part in what would be her very first half-Ironman triathlon. Also known as an Ironman 70.3, it consists of a 1.9 km swim, a 90 km bike ride and a 21.1 km run.

Tragically, while reaching for a water bottle during the bike ride, she lost her balance and crashed to the ground.

The next thing she remembers is waking up in an ambulance with broken ribs and collar bone and a serious concussion.

The long road back 
After spending two days in hospital, a bandaged Tufts made the trek back home to London. That’s when a long series of medical appointments with specialists at St. Joseph’s and her rehabilitation began.

From appointments with neuro eye specialists at the Ivey Eye Institute and orthopaedic surgeons at the Roth | McFarlane Hand and Upper Limb Centre, to phone assessments and in-person visits at the brain injury clinic, Tufts was a regular visitor to St. Joseph’s. In total, she had eight different appointments for care.

Without fail, every single interaction at the Hospital left Tufts feeling like she mattered.

“There are so many things that contributed to my feeling like I was valued,” says Tufts.

For Tufts it was a series of small and compassionate actions that made the difference. Things like the personalized care at the Ivey Eye Institute, conversations with the care team at the brain injury program where they normalized her symptoms, and chatting with the attendant at the parking lot who provided assistance and wished her a great day – each interaction was another spoke in the wheel adding to the wholeness of care.

“I felt everyone had my back and tended to my mind, body and spirit. It truly felt like I was being taken care of as a whole person,” she says.

For the long-time Londoner and St. Joseph’s Board member, the care experience enriched her pride in and association with the organization. And she was honoured when the opportunity arose to share more details about her journey as a St. Joseph’s patient with her fellow board members at one of their meetings.

Getting back in the game
Just six days before the 2025 FCCC, Alfonso Campos Reales, one of the event founders and St. Joseph’s Health Care Foundation’s Board representative on the Hospital board, made a presentation to his colleagues at that board’s monthly meeting.

Tufts knew instantly that she needed to get involved. She says she went home and immediately registered for the 100 km race.

“I really can't imagine a better reason to ride,” she shared in an email to friends and colleagues with news about her participation.

Then she started to raise funds and get mentally and emotionally prepared.

A new day
On June 1, Janet Tufts donned her riding kit and jumped on her bike. And what might seem like an impossible distance for some became the next stage in recovery and training for Tufts.

As she embarked on the ride, she joined a group of cyclists, took what she describes as “two nice breaks” and ended the race even more energized than when she started.

“I loved it,” she says. “It’s a terrific event and I would sign up again in a minute.”

Tufts was also pleased to have an opportunity to raise more funds for mental health care at St. Joseph’s, a cause near and dear to her heart.

Next up for Tufts is continued training, which she’s doing at an Olympic distance. There are also a few races. In late July, Tufts returned to racing, competing in an Olympic triathlon (shorter than the 70.3) and came first in her age category – qualifying her for the 2026 world championships taking place in Spain. And in September, exactly one year to the date of the accident, she will attempt to redeem herself in the half-Ironman distance.  

“I’m feeling good about all of this,” says Tufts, who’s grateful to the care teams at St. Joseph’s for getting her back to doing what she loves.