Riley Raynard has become well-known locally for his perseverance while living with Duchene muscular dystrophy.
The Lampman area resident, who is the son of Devin and Wendy Raynard, has been a regular competitor in the Estevan Motor Speedway’s hobby stock class. He has won feature races, and in 2014, captured the Ken Schrader Real Racer Award from Speedway Illustrated magazine for his dedication to racing.
He has also shared his story whenever possible, including interviews during the United Way Estevan’s telethon, since Muscular Dystrophy Canada is one of the United Way’s member agencies.
Now he is reaching out to a completely different group of people, as he has started speaking to school children about his experiences, and how he is able to race a hobby stock car at the Estevan Motor Speedway and other tracks.
Raynard has already spoken to Midale Central School and Arcola School, and later this month, he has a speech to Hillcrest School students.
“Arcola asked me to come and say a few words,” Raynard said in an interview with Lifestyles. “I’ve always been kind of interested in it, and I’ve been waiting for more schools to pick up on it.”
He’d gladly speak to even more school students. And he would be up for speaking to pretty much anyone.
“It’s not just for kids,” he said. “It’s really good to show people that even if you have a disability, you can still do things and go for your dreams.”
Raynard talks to the students about his type of muscular dystrophy and how it affects his life. He needs a wheelchair for mobility. But he races cars, thanks to his specially-designed stock car, and has made lots of friends through racing and his other experiences in life.
He uses his experiences in stock car racing to show young people that anything is possible.
While public speaking is often listed as the greatest fear of the average North American, Raynard said it isn’t difficult for him.
“I have the hang of it a little bit more,” said Raynard. “I’ve been getting much more comfortable just with better speaking in general and in public, so it’s all right.”
He is often a little nervous before he starts speaking to the crowd, but once he starts talking, the nerves fade away and he becomes more comfortable.
The kids really like his message, he said.
“They kids couldn’t stop asking questions,” he said. “They were pretty interested in the racing at what the disease does. They’re interested in the whole thing, just to see what I can do.”
Raynard has spoken for Muscular Dystrophy Canada during interview segments at the telethon for a few years. Each United Way member agency is given an opportunity to explain why the United Way’s support is important, and where the member agency directs the money.
He said those interviews have helped him a lot with his public speaking skills.
“I’m getting a lot better at speaking in public about the stuff that I go through, and all my racing and the disease,” he said.
Raynard works full time at Trent’s Tire, where he sells tires and after-market parts, and runs the company’s social media account. And he remains an avid race car driver.
This season was one of his best, as he had four feature wins and 10 qualifying heat victories.
He also led 170 laps, which meant $170 for Laps for Muscular Dystrophy. Drivers from across the continent are part of Laps for MD, donating $1 for every lap they lead in a feature race.
Raynard’s friends Riley Emmel and Leevi and Landon Runge are part of the program. Dallas Rice from Minot, N.D. also participates.
Raynard says his muscular dystrophy has been stable for a while. He noted during his United Way interview that researchers are working hard to find treatments.
“My condition hasn’t really progressed past anything yet,” said Raynard. “It’s been the … same status on my health, so it’s been pretty good. There are no real pressing issues or that sort of thing.”
