Michelle Carduner (Photo courtesy of Zoomphoto Inc.)
By Connie Adair
Michelle Carduner became a real estate agent because, as cliché as it sounds, she likes to help people. Now she’s lending a helping hand, or rather two feet, by participating in a fund-raising half marathon to benefit Canadian soldiers.
On Sept. 21, Carduner, an agent with Royal LePage Wolstencroft Realty in Langley, B.C. will fly to Ottawa to participate in the Army Run, which supports Solider On and the Military Families Fund. Soldier On works to empower retired and serving Canadian Forces members who have visible and non-visible injuries to “accept their new normal by adopting an active lifestyle through participation in physical, recreational or sporting activities,” its website says.
Carduner challenges agents across the country to pledge just $21 each, $1 for every kilometre she will run, to make a difference in veterans’ lives.
Carduner was inspired to run after hearing the story of 21-year-old Canadian Forces Pte. Garrett Chidley, who was killed in Afghanistan on Dec. 30, 2009. Two years ago she registered to participate in the run, but fighting her own battle with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), was unable to beat the anxiety that kept her from boarding the flight.
Last year, despite having panic attacks for three weeks prior to the run, she made it, participating in the weekend of events and the 21-km half marathon. She says it was a life-altering experience to help others with PTSD or physical disabilities and she can’t wait to do it again this year.
Participating in the run has been a huge help with her own PTSD, the result of 20 years of abuse. She can relate to the soldiers. “PTSD is PTSD. It has the same triggers, reactions, the same feelings and challenges of military PTSD. The trauma is just different. I’m in awe of what the soldiers live with on a daily basis,” she says.
Carduner does not like to boast about her accomplishments, but wants to raise awareness about soldiers returning from war zones and the difficulties they face. “These people have given so much and their families have given so much. We owe it to them to help out,” she says.
The most amazing thing, she adds, is the military’s support and appreciation for the civilians who participate in the marathons. “We’re thanking them but they stop and say thanks for what we’re doing for them.”
Carduner grew up in Saskatchewan and followed her mother to B.C. after finishing university. She has lived in Langley since 1978 and prior to getting her license in 1990 worked in accounts payable and then in real estate office administration. “I foolishly thought (being an agent) looked easy. There was a lot of paperwork and cutting of cheques,” she says. “I thought, ‘I too can do this.’ Ignorance is bliss. When you don’t know what you don’t know, you go in with enthusiasm.”
A couple of real estate companies she worked with were sold and “I got sold with them,” she says. But when she moved to another part of the city, she saw a chance for a fresh start. Her philosophy and that of her former company’s no longer matched. “If a company changes its philosophy and doesn’t work for you, find out what does,” she advises other agents.
She joined Royal LePage Wolstencroft 18 months ago and hasn’t looked back. “I like helping people. I’ll never be No. 1 or top producer and I don’t want to be. I like having one-on-one relationships with my clients. I’m hands on,” says Carduner, who doesn’t have an assistant. “I like how I have structured my business. I’m part of something really special with these people and have made a lot of good friends. I have found my niche. You can be top dog in the kennel and grind out numbers or find your comfort spot. There’s no right or wrong way.”
Carduner’s message: “As Realtors we are blessed to work in a country that is so free from strife and we really owe a debt of gratitude to these (soldiers).”
Funds raised will “give soldiers as whole a life as possible. Imagine someone with little children and only one limb. Giving them equipment so they can go on a ski trip costs so little money but to them is their whole world. Be part of something rewarding.”
To make a pledge, visit https://goo.gl/zMee5Z
