CWL Ceremony

My mom and my grandma have been involved within the CWL for some years. My grandma has been involved for over 52 years being the president in a local group and a member for the other years. CWL is a church group where women get together and help each other. There are a variety of fundraising events to support various charities. It is made up a group of ladies that help support each other in different ways as well. Today, I was Inducted into the Catholic Womens League. It as a pretty little ceremony where all new members where given a pin to commemorate the start of a journey. My grandma, a member for 52 years, presented me with her pin that she received 52 years ago when she entered into the CWL. It was a special moment for the both of us. Thanks Grandma. xoxo

Calgary Rollers Basketball Competition in Calgary

This weekend was my first time playing with the Womens Wheelchair Basketball team. I have been playing for a year and a bit. The women on the team are great. I was able to learn a lot a felt like I got better as we played more games.

 Proof that I touched the ball. :)

Thanks to everyone that came out to cheer the team on: Angela, Christie, Nadine, Camille, Matt, parents, and grandparents. 

 I was super impressed with Nadine's skills in a ball chair. I'm really glad she came out to try it this weekend.

Next Weekend I will be playing with the Lethbridge Steamers in Edmonton!

Days Go By!

Wow! It is hard to believe that it has been one year since my last post! Time really does go by to fast.

In January and February, I tried to ski every week up at Castle Mountain. Once time I tried to ski through the trees, but came close to a 15 foot rock drop. It was interesting to say the least, but I was able to get out of the situation with some help from some little kids and Lorne. Team Alberta came up to Castle Mountain to ski. The Rockstar Alana Ramsay is going to Sochi Paralympics ski racing representing Canada. Congrats Girl! I'll be cheering for you. Alana is the one in the Blue Jacket on the Right!

In March, The Lethbridge sledge hockey players participated in the 9th annual sledge hockey tournament in Calgary. The players from here joined the players from Grande Prairie and one from Manitoba. We won, one game against the Calgary Scorpions. 5-4, I believe.

In April, we had a surprise 50th birthday for my mom. She had all of her sisters there as well as other family and friends that celebrated with all of us. We truly surprised her and kept the secret from her, which is really hard to do. None the less it was a success and we partied till 5am.

In May, I went with a friend to Las Vegas for a weekend. We were in the city for less than 48 hours. We were able to see Fremont Street (old Las Vegas), the strip, The Blue Man Group, and Cirque De Soliel, "O," which were all fantastic.

In June, Calgary and the surrounding areas had a lot of rain over many days, which flooded many parts of the city and areas. Some areas are still recovering from the damage that it caused. My sister also graduated from High School, which is something she should be very proud of.

The summer was a relaxing one, to say the least. I worked few shift at the hospital, but was able to work at the Calgary Stampede and volunteer at Camp Horizon.






In August I celebrated my 22 birthday. I started by playing in a basketball competition. Later, we decided as a family to go go-karting. Once we got there we were told that my dad and sister couldn't go because they had sandals on and you need to have closed toed shoes. My mom and I continue to fill out our forms. The lady asks me to stand up on the wall, she told we I was to short to drive these. I thought that was crazy. There is another place we went to, but they were cash only. Needless to say, we went to Julios' Barrio and had dinner and a few drinks, which was great. Later we had a bonfire with some friends over.

One day in August, we decided to go on a family road trip, we ended up past Field BC at a place called Takalaka (or something like that) which was beautiful. It is located near Emerald Lake which is also beautiful. We went canoeing and I got this shot after we were done just before we left.

 

Also in August. I went up to visit my grandma with my sister. We did some cooking and some shopping. The goal of this trip was to learn how to make perogies the way my grandma does. It was a success. We all had a lot of fun and learnt how to do everything.










                                                                                             

In September, Britt and I went on a road trip around local touristy places. We have lived in town for many years but have not seen the historic places around us that we should see before we leave the town. We went to see Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump and Frank Slide. It was very cool to see these places and we both learnt many things.

In October the sledge group in Lethbridge had a Sledge Hockey Try-It day were people of all abilities came out to try the sport. You can follow us on twitter @Lethsledge or like us on Facebook at Lethbridge Sledge Hockey Association. Thanks to everyone that helped with the organization and continuation of the program thus far.








The last term of school was busy, not for the course load, but for 10 weeks, I was never in town, always traveling to other places. I went on a road trip to Kelowna with a friend, which is so beautiful. I got to see some great friends from high school.







I have been playing with the Calgary Rollers, the wheelchair basketball team. One weekend we went to Saskatoon, I had the biggest cheering section. It seemed that all of family was in Saskatoon for that time. It was great to have cheering fans.

In November, there was the first women's sledge hockey camp in Western Canada. There were members from the women's national sledge team that attended along with other female players across the country. It was very cool to play with other females of varying abilities. I was able to learn many new things to try and improve my sledge skills.

Last year was a good year in general. School went really well. My last term I ended with a GPA of 3.75. I have applied for Master's programs throughout the country so now it is time to wait and see and hope for the best.

I've been going to many concerts over this last year. I've seen Tim McGraw, Mumford and Sons, Little Big Town, and Keith Urban.  I got Keith singing one of his hits, Days Go By, which I attribute to this blog. Days go by, things happen, and life goes on. Enjoy it and surround yourself with people who make you better and challenge yourself to be better too.

Its been a while!

So it has been a long time since I have posted anything. I don't like using the excuse busy, but I was occupied mainly with university classes, assignment, papers, and finals. Nearing December it did get stressful, but as the final marks came in, it turned out that I did as well or better than I was hoping for. It was great to go home and get away from school. I was able to spend time with the family, see friends, and work a little bit through the holidays. I made a few bucks, so that always helps through the year.

My sister had a soccer fundraiser, I bought a few tickets, and won 6 bottles of wine! Win!
She can be a pretty sweet sister some times. We re taking a shot to bring in the new year.

It was different going home this year. I'm not sure if it because I am use to doing my own thing, if my family members are growing up. It felt like everyone is in a rush and was unable to really relax and hang out as a family. I would love a game night and that just didn't happen. I guess people change, and you notice it more once you don't seem them for a period of time. Christmas was good though, it was important time spent with both family and friends.

Nadine and I

During the break I went skiing with my mom and the alberta Racing Team. That was a lot of fun. I like Nakiska because it is a close mountain to Calgary and I've skied it alot, so I know the mountain well. Nadine, a good friend of mine is on the team, is taking the term off of schooling and focussing on increasing ability and strength. She hopes to make it to the Paralympics. I told her wherever she goes, I'll be there cheering her on. I'd love to go back to racing, and who knows what the future may bring. Whenever I ski with this girl, we get into the most interesting situations. We did get out of the few that we were in that day. By the end of the day, patrol had our few  paths marked off with bamboo.

Right now schools important and that is where my focus lies.

View at Nakiska

Mom and I at Nakiska

View from Top of Castle Mountain

I still go to the mountains as much as I can during the winter. There was a training camp for the volunteers for CADS at Castle Mountain, I was asked to come to teach volunteers how to 4-track. The training portion was an entire weekend. The first day and a half the volunteers got split into groups and the group I was in took skiing lessons to improve our ability. There was one part when the instructor demonstrated a task for us to do- put 50 50 weight on both skis when turning- The entire group proceeded down the hill- once we were done, The instructor said I was the only one to do what he was asking. Everyone chuckled. If you don't know I ski 4track style and have cerebral palsy. It was funny. Maybe you had to be there. I've been skiing every weekend, and am going both days this weekend coming up.


School has started. At first it seemed like alot of work, I'm taking 4 classes and I made my own physical activity class. It still seems like a lot of work, but I feel that all the classes are set up very different, so it should be okay. My highest level class is Psych 4000 children with disabilities. The biggest component is a 50 minute presentation. I feel lucky and very happy to be able to talk about Cerebral Palsy and the effect of Botox and Baclofen on the disability. Both of the drugs I have had personal use with and living with the disability, I can't see a better way to learn more about it. For the additional classes, there is work to and I hope it doesn't get the best of me. I am very organized, so I hope that helps.

I haven't made any sort of New Years Resolution, except maybe to aviod the gyms for a while till they simmer down a little bit. I am doing activities outside of the gym. Sledge hockey, wheelchair basketball, and skiing challenge me in multiple ways. I also love the mountains, if there as any type of therapy for well-being, for me that is it. When I came back to school, I started Kim Lyons' 10 day cleanse. This cleanse isn't about starving yourself and only drinking fluid. There is a fluid component, but you can eat most fruits and veggies, some meats, greek yogurt, and other items. I haven't had wheat or cereal in the last 8 days, and I feel fine. Sometimes being forced to eat healthier is a good thing. I have tried different salads, and preparing a complete healthy meal. I am done the cleanse on Friday.  Its not friday yet, but I am proud to make it 8 days so far without eating chocolate, or oatmeal, or  snacks in general.

Phone Calls

Okay so my mom and I were making supper together, and talking on our i phones. She was in Calgary and I was in Lethbridge. I had ear buds in and she had me on speakerphone. I was making a delicious spinach lasagna. I talked to my dad as well and We talked about my new tires, that the pressure lights on my car aren't hooked up right, and just to check them regularly. I also mentioned that I need a screwdriver set, for my apartment, it would of helped me out.

We were on the phone for about an hour, and they she tells me that her supper is ready and that she is going to go. We say bye, and she hangs up, or I think she did, until I hear, my dad mention, "It would be a good christmas present, an air pressure checker and filler," I now respond, "yes it would." My mom asks me if she can both check her e-mail and talk at the same time on the iphone. I tell her yes, you can do many things at once. Both my mom and dad are shocked, and we laugh for a bit. My mom then insists that its supper time and says goodbye for the second time. She thought she clicked  off and says, "Well that was funny." I respond in a few seconds, "Yes that was!" and my dad, mom and I laugh  for a while. I then instruct her on how to end a conversation. Once she successfully shuts off, I text her and congratulate her on her accomplishment.

I was talking to my mom a few days later and she tries to hang up at the end of our conversation. I can hear her set the phone and walk away. I say, "I am still here."

It is interesting to hear what people have to say about the conversation, after you get off the phone with a person. Make sure the conversation has ended before you start talking about them. (I now know my wonderful air pressure checker christmas present.)

Something in society has to be done

Ok. So I've got cerebral palsy. It's really no big deal. I have never defined my self with it. Only the abilities that I do have. Having a disability there has been certain modifications that need to be put in place so I can accomplish tasks easier.

I had to take my car in to get dents fixed due of hail damage that occurred during the summer. Yes disabled people can drive!

Insurance was going to cover costs associated to the rental and fixing the car.

At the rental place they were really nice and I get a dodge caravan do drive for the week. First off the van is very high so it makes that hard for myself to get in. Mind you I'm 5 feet so that doesn't help. I couldn't believe the car when I got into it (pictures are below) the controls are so loose an there is no spinner knob on the car( that allows people who use hand controls to safely turn with one hand).

The employee that was showing me the car was saying that if things don't work out they can pick me up from anywhere an apparently drive me anywhere. Disabled people live normal busy lives. I have class and volunteering and I'm going home for thanksgiving. Honestly!

I am saddened that society today in Canada does not integrate basic disabled tools in accurately so we can just be as safe as any individual Renting a car. I should be able to rent a car just as easy as a person that does not have A disability. Is my safety suppose to be put to the side?

Yes, I think that is duct tape holding something together

Just saying. lets label everything!

I just found out that Lethbridge does not have a place where people can get hand controls put in their car. They would have to go down to Calgary. Interesting!

CP month

September is CP month. This year we had our first CP Day which was September 4. There is a unique organization that is allowing people to speak about inventions that would help people with cerebral palsy and other physical disabilities. I have put a one minute video on the stand, that speaks about keeping the hands warm, when walking with crutches when it is cold outside. In addition, I thought it would be really cool to have a little wallet that somehow attached to the AFO/leg braces that many kids wear. They could design these different ways (colors/designs) so kids would like them. And then I talked about how if disabled/adaptive equipment was more available, more disabled individuals would be more active.  Please take a look at my video at thttp://ideas.worldcpday.org/a/dtd/Crutch-warmer-wallet-and-sport-equipment/187249-18868 and vote! Thank you!!!

This is greatly appreciated!!!