An inspiring story of friendship, determination, and accessibility is being brought to life in a new graphic novel entitled RUN. The project follows Bradley Heaven, a Dawson College graduate with Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy, and Dan O’Connor, his integration aide and co-founder of their non-profit All Access Life, as they take on their first marathon together in October 2021.

The graphic novel captures the extraordinary challenge they faced: Dan pushing Brad (Social Science, Class of 2020) in an adaptive stroller for 40 kms before Brad switched to his adaptive walker to complete the final 2.2 kms solo. As English faculty member Andrew Katz, who is collaborating on the project, said: “Things did not go according to plan. It made for an eventful day—and a great story.”

To bring the story to readers, the team has created a companion book called RUN: The Making of a Graphic Novel, showcasing behind-the-scenes sketches and a sneak peek of a fully coloured chapter. The book is now available to friends and family, with a public Kickstarter launch planned for early spring 2026.

Andrew first met Brad and Dan through their participation in Dawson’s SPACE exhibition, where they created videos showcasing their communication style. He recalls being struck by their connection: “I was struck by the easy camaraderie that flowed between them. They walked and wheeled everywhere together. They were often laughing with each other. They exchanged nods and glances that seemed to say more than any of us  around them knew. Brad had limitations in his physical abilities and challenges that arose as a result, but that was not the first thing that stood out about them.”

Their partnership and drive recently earned them recognition in Forbes magazine’s 2025 Accessibility 100 list and an invitation to present at the Cannes Festival. Reflecting on their success, Andrew said of Dawson’s Den, “That win set them on a path to successfully create their non-profit All Access Life.”

The graphic novel not only tells Brad’s story but highlights the essence of their friendship and the community that supports them. Andrew describes it as “a rare glimpse into the reality and challenges of living with Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy,” while also conveying a universal message: “With real attention to another person, something truly special is possible.”

Illustration by Antonio Luzano, a fellow Dawson graduate, adds a rich visual component to the project. Andrew acknowledges Dawson College’s creative environment as an enabling force for such collaborations: “Dawson is a hub of creativity and innovation that makes these kinds of encounters possible.”

The team’s dedication included over a hundred hours of interviews and detailed study of Brad and Dan’s social media to accurately capture their movements and interactions. Andrew shared, “We decided that we would try to tell the story of the marathon run ‘in real time,’ as Brad and Dan experienced it, without any opening exposition.”

Funding from the Canada Council for the Arts and the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec made the illustrated companion book and Kickstarter campaign possible, putting the project on solid footing to continue.