Daniel Cullen is a man who has overcome what seemed to so many as insurmountable odds. For twenty-five years, he lived among the ranks of the homeless of Canada, simultaneously dealing with the effects of mental illness.

But Cullen beat all the odds against him and has been a productive member of the community since. He has fought for the rights of the homeless in Kelowna, B.C., and has also lobbied Parliament Hill. He is the published author The Heartbeat of Madness.

"I have learned to listen to the issues at hand and I can speak on behalf of those that need to be heard in a way that those who need to hear will listen,” he says.

Daniel has a 22-year-old son and a two-year-old grandson.