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!!!

Banquet

I was able to come back to camp once the campers were gone. I didn't think I was contagious but I still have a horrible cough, so I completely understand. I have never had a cold take over my body like this one did. It wiped me out, head to toe. Once the campers left it was cleanup time. This includes putting all the couches in one room, sweeping all the floors, organizing everything into rooms and taking all things off the walls. This is done so people can rent the camp for events. The next day there is a group of over 250 people staying at camp! They bring motor homes and tents.

After clean up we had to pack up our room and get ready for banquet. This allowed all staff to get dressed up fancy, wear makeup, have a good meal and a great time with the best friends that you have made through the summer. It is unbelievable that it has only been 2 and a half months since we have met these great people but time does fly and it has been a remarkable summer with incredible people.

This summer has been an unbelievable one with some of the genuinely greatest people I have ever met. These people are going to do great things in this world, and I can't wait to see them grow into greater individuals and be with them in their journey.

We found out that in Winfield there is a farm that has kangaroos in it. There was an albino Joey that was only 8 weeks old. So cute.

Week 5

Night 0 was great. The entire staff crew did a huge tie dye session with 7 colours and they had the giant swing running. The next morning I was starting to feel a bit tired and sick. I was told to take the day off and try and get better. My thoughts: this is great, first days at camp are always busy and hectic. Throughout day one I felt worse. Day 2 I started coughing and had multiple fevers and chills. Day 3 I slept even more, had another fever and was coughing like I was hacking up a lung. I have never slept more and been so knocked out from a cold and my leg is starting to lock up on me. I went to the walk in clinic in town, and they just closed, but the doctor that was there saw me, I was super thankful. He said that if I wasn't getting better than it wasn't a sinus infection, he gave me a stronger medication to cover more viruses/bacterial infections. Night 4 I have had the worst fever ever! I took some meds and jumped in a cold shower. I went to a dr the next day and he said it should take a few more days. COME ON! it is the 6 day I've been out of work. This Is RIDICULOUS. Anyways, so he sent me for a chest x ray and we haven't heard anything yet, which is good news. My cousin has some of the same symptoms, and we both got sick on the same day, she had a blood test and has MONO. So tomorrow, I think I am going to get that checked out. Hopefully to rule that out.

Its really sad, I have only been away for camp for 2 days and not working for 5 and I feel is distant and sad that I am not there during the last week of camp. This week had kids with physical disabilities and it was the week that I was looking forward to the most, to show the kids that they can do anything.

The following day I went to My cousins real doctor, he assessed, listened to me breath, and realised there was a problem with that. He thought it was my asthma acting up. I haven't had a puffer in years! I took two puffs in clinic and it was like magic. Right now I can take deep breaths. I still cough a bit, but I can breath. As the day progresses I continue to feel better.

Camp Week 4

The theme for this week was movies on the loose. Movies were being taken over by Darth Vador, He wanted to be the star in all of them. THis week I was a float which means I don't have one team to myself, I do things that others may need help with or covering for staff that have been on dorm duty. It was really cool because I was able to work with different staff and meet many more kids. Some of them were so adorable.  Every week, volunteers and floats paint the backdrop by the firepit every week. This week we had 2 artists paint it and it turned out very well.

One of the groups was the gleeks, and my mom was Sue Sylvester last year for Halloween, so I though, How perfect could that be to dress up as her and hang out with the gleeks all day.

Every week they have staff appreciation, where they have snacks and treats for us. They had notes written from the campers on the wall showing how they like the staff. It was really touching.

It was secret buddy week. This is when everyone has someone secret and they give them gifts, notes, really anything to make them happy. I came to my room one night and there were these pink glasses and some sparklers with a note. It said, you will need these for your adventure to come, do not use until instructed to. The last night, he played the Macarena, but over that spoke Makrina, it was really cool, it revived the dance. When I headed to bed there was a poster, that had another set of glasses, more sparklers and a lighter. Take a friend and light up the night. When the glasses were pointed at a source of light hearts were formed. A bunch of us went into the dark and sparkled up the night. It was soooo cool.  I then went into my room and my buddy put over 150 glow sticks on my wall and on the floor with a disco ball. I had an idea of who it was, and it was the fact that he left his headlamp in my room that led me to find out who it was. It was super special.

This break I stayed at camp. We did the enderby float and watched a movie at the enderby drive in. The float was short, about an 1hour and a half. and the drive in was pretty cool. It was my first every drive in. They were showing the batman. Night 0 we did a giant tie dye session and giant swing. I finished tiedying my bed sheet set. Pictures will come.

Camp Week 3

This weeks theme was aging avengers. The idea behind this was the super heros are getting old and we need new superheroes to become stronger and able to be prepared. The kids werent really into the there, they would rather jump on the trampoline and swing on the swings. We were going to sleep outside at OP. It was looking quite cloudy, once my group was down there it started pouring. We were able to get a tarp over the area. The water was pooling in areas. I gave my crutches to taller staff and they held them up with there hands or head so the water would drain off the tarp.

The group wanted to go to waterfront, but it was a bit chilly. The group went and we went canoeing. It was cool because I had never steered a canoe before but I told the campers that I could. Its really easy. I preferred that way more than jumping in the water. 

At the end of the week my buddy counsellor said she needed a ride to the airport. I was going into Kelowna anyways so said it would be no problem. We then high-fived, at camp that is like a handshake. She then told me the time she was leaving. Her flight was out at 7. We went out the night before probably didn't get to bed till 2. So I had a little catnap.

This break was really good. I was able to have a beach day with a friend  that has moved to Kelowna. The weather was hot and we had a great time catching up, tanning, swimming and such. Also spend time with my family up there hanging out by the pool.

Camp Week 2

This weeks theme surrounded ancient civilizations. Our group was the Amazing Aztecs. THe entire week there were challenges that overtook other civilizations. The age group of this camp was teenagers. In my group we had two teens that were grading from camp. Each camper had unique personalities, but with teenagers there was drama between boys and friends. There were laughs and tears. All of my campers wanted to go in different directions. One of the girls wanted to prank somebody all the time. We had to limit her to once a day.

One of the challenges was to explode a coke bottle cap as far as we could by putting mentos in it as fast as we could. I do not think this was practiced by the progs because it ended up exploding as soon as we put it in.

When a camper turns 18 they graduate from camp. The last night at camp after the dance they get to hang out in the A-frame and play games, watch movies,, really whatever they want. Both my buddy and I wanted to spend the night with our graduates. We thought the only fair way to figure this out was a rock-paper-scissors game called bear-cowboy-mistress. You act this game out. To say the least I didn't win but it was fun to play it.

As the weeks progress I feel like I am getting more involved and knowing when and what to do at each moment.

Camp- Week 1

RIght now I am sitting in quarantine, I have a cold and can't get the kids sick. The camper weeks have been busy, I have had no time to write about the great camping weeks we have had. If there is anything that doesn't make sense, its either because I am sick or its camp, and you gotta be there.

The first week I was paired with a buddy counsellor that has been working at camp for 4 years. She was so much fun and very knowledgeable. It was the first full week of camp, some of it was overwhelming. It was really cool to see how a full week goes. The week was called cool communicator week, some of the kids have communication devices that they use to communicate with. It was really cool to see them and work with the campers that use them.The theme for the week was pokemon. There were many characters always dressed up. Our group loved doing pranks, we TP'd the bus, the coord office and dumped potions on many people. Our group found this note that led us on a treasure hunt, we were so excited becuase it sounded like it was something that was really good. once we found it, it was a pretty box, filled with Toilet Paper. To say the least, my campers were not happy. The team even saran-wrapped Alistair to a pole by hypnotizing him first. It was a great first week
For break I went with my aunt and uncle from kelowna to meet other cousins and family on a houseboat at shushwap lake. It was nice to see them, be on the water, and take a break from camp.

Camp Training

Camp is going really good. It has only been two days but I feel that the staff are working together and a team atmosphere is in the making.  Today we did many team building activities, some we could speak and some we couldn't. This really showed that people can communicate in different ways without using words. Later in the afternoon we had some people that have been involved with camp in the past. It was really cool to hear about their past experiences and the knowledge that they passed onto us.

One lady, was super nice, she was  a PSW with a kiddo that came out for a few years.  The child didn't like doing a lot of the 'big' camp activities, but enjoyed playing cards. Camp is all about making the kids enjoy it, doing whatever makes them love CAMP.  This kid spent many years at camp, and passed away this last year. I had a friend that went to camp as well, and passed away from Cancer. She put it into perspective how important it is to make camp the best time of their lives.

We did different team exercices. For one of them, the group was blindfolded and we had to find peices to make a tent. Soon after we found it, we were all told we couldn't speak. It was really frustrating not being able to see or talk with the team you are building a tent with.

One night we sat around a fire and did 'piece of me.' This is when we take an object that means something to yourself, explain why and then give it to another person. It was really cool to learn about each person a little bit more.

The training days are long but seem to go by really quickly. The last day of training we dressed up in costume and went to a local pub. Everybody looked ridiculous. A guy at the bar came to us and was insistent on asking us were we are from and what we are doing. We are not allowed to tell people where we are from. This guy wouldn't let it go. He finally drilled us with questions and we agreed that we were a cult. He seemed happy with the answer and left the group alone.

I spent my rest days in Kelowna, in the sun relaxing and reading.  Kids are coming to camp soon, and I am nervous but excited to start!

Its Been A While.

It has been a while. I have been busy with things. It seems like I have no time.
Right after school ended my family went skiing at a camp in Sunshine. The weather was so nice and the skiing was great. I got to ski with a friend that is on the Paralympic Skiing team. I learned many techniques from him. We did Goats eye at the end of the day.


I have worked at the hospital for 6 weeks now. It has gone pretty good. I was in recovery and helping out with odd jobs. It keeps the day interesting.


My mom and I went to Vancouver for a little trip. The main reason was to go to the Rick Hansen 25th anniversary celebration. The event was amazing, great people were there. Some included, Lauren Woolstencroft, Josh Dueck, David Suzuki, Marianas Trench, Sarah MacLachlin. During the show they played a quick video of the whole relay, it was really cool, I was in it and one of my friends, Nadine was in it too. The Special is going to aire on June 24 on CTV. During our trip we stayed at our Cousins, it was great to see them.
For the few days that we were there we went to Grouse Mountain, Capilano Suspension Bridges. One morning we went to Simon Fraser University, I wanted to go there because that is where Terry Fox went to school and were the HUmanitarian Foundation is from. I was able to see the statue and meet Lorne Davies, who is involved in the foundation.


While we were in Vancouver, my car got into an accident (I wasn't driving.) THe car didn't look to bad, but it got written off. At that point I had 2 weeks to find a new car, get hand controls and drive to Kelowna for a job. During the time I didn't have a car, the insurance company was suppose to rent my a car with hand controls in it so I could drive. After a week, my dad tried to pick it up, the hand controls were duck taped to the gas and brake. I couldn't believe how someone would install it and allow someone that cant use there legs to drive it.


After two weeks of feeling like I was stranded on a lonely island, and getting rides to everywhere I need to go, I got a new car, it is a 2008 Dodge Caliber. We drove the car into Kelowna, and the car runs really nicely.


I am starting  a new job, so I will be updating more frequently.

Easter Week

I just came back for another two weeks of classes and tests. It was a great break from school and work. It was really good to be at home and see some family and friends. Easter was spent with my family, cousins and grandparents, we decorated eggs... I tell you, each year they get more and more artistic. Heres a few: Mickey mouse, 2 angry birds and spongebob squarepants.

In October, I believe they are stopping the usage of pennies. I do not carry change with me. Once I get it, it goes into a big plastic coke bottle. I have put my change in there since I was in grade 5. My sister and my mom have also put their change in too. We had alot of change to roll, but figured we should roll it all if we are going to roll the pennies. Three of us got the job done in two days and it paid off well. We cashed in and got over 800 bucks.

 

I am going to be a counsellor at a camp this coming summer and am starting to try different crafts and activities, to see how long they take and if they are doable at camp. The first one we took crayons and hot glued them to the board, then we heated them up with a blow dryer to get some of the wax to melt.

I then saw duct tape wallets, and thought that, that would be a cool for campers to do. There are so many colours and designs that you can get of duct tape.