Olympic Surprise by Danielle Pellerine

You hear these stories in the news of celebrities surprising teams and various other groups. You think, "Wouldn't it be cool if something like that happened to my sledge hockey team." You say "It will likely never happen to us," until one day, it does! Let me take you to that day...

The day was Wednesday, March 28th, 2018.  We were having our last sledge hockey practice at 2pm that afternoon, thinking that it was going to be just a usual practice. It quickly turned into something amazing!

We warmed up and did a couple of fun drills. We were just getting ready to have a short scrimmage to end our incredible sledge hockey season when suddenly, our former coach asks around about where I am because she wanted to show me something. She came over and pulled something out from her pocket that I wasn't expecting...an Olympic Silver Medal, from the Winter Olympics in PyeongChang! She asked me if I knew who Olympic hockey player Jill Saulnier was and I replied that I did. She pointed to a lady and told me that was her!

Jill was very kind, allowing us to hold the medal (or display it somehow if it was not physically possible to hold), which was so surreal. I actually thought I was in a dream!  It just so happened that I brought my camera that day, and I was able to get a picture of me holding the silver medal with Jill Saulnier! I will definitely be framing that one!

After our practice was done, I was waiting for my turn to get off the ice and was able to speak to Jill briefly. We discussed her first time trying sledge hockey just the week before. She also told me that she really liked our jerseys. All in all, it was an amazing experience for me and my teammates, one that will leave a lasting impact on our lives!

Jill, thank you very much for stopping by sledge hockey last week. Thank you to everyone else who had a hand in making this amazing experience possible.

Canadian Paralympic Athletes Win Big by Shandi Pace

After sending it’s largest contingency to the Paralympics Canada did not disappoint. The
athletes representing the maple leaf picked up a total of 28 medals (8 gold, 4 silver, 16 bronze). This blows away Canada’s most successful Winter Games set in Vancouver in 2010 where 19 total medals were won, 10 of which were gold.

Many athletes were able to accomplish what they set out to do. Mark Arendz was the clear choice as Canada’s flag bearer after his impressive medal count. After years of heartbreak, he finally won the biathlon gold he was missing. Arendz won a total of five individual medals and a cross-country mixed relay silver to bring his total to six.

Brian McKeever became Canada’s most decorated Paralympic athlete and won triple gold in PyeongChang. He now has 16 Paralympic medals, 13 of them being gold. The Canadian men’s sledge hockey team took home the silver medal after a heartbreaking overtime loss to the United States.

Mollie Jepsen won four medals in South Korea, including gold in the women’s standing super-combined slalom. This 18-year-old can only walk away with her head held high and medals of every colour around her neck.

These athletes were unstoppable as soon as the Games started. With the amount of talent Canadian athletes have shown over the last two weeks, it’s only fitting to be even more excited for the next Paralympic Winter Games in 2022.

Paralympic Athletes to Watch in PyeongChang by Shandi Pace

Although the Winter Olympics have finished, the Paralympics are only just beginning. More than 50 athletes will be proudly wearing the red maple leaf, representing Canada in PyeongChang, South Korea from March 8-18.

The Paralympics never get as much coverage or excitement as the Olympics do unfortunately, but learning more about the athletes that will be representing Team Canada can add to your enthusiasm at home. With varying levels of experience and multiple skill sets, here are three standouts to watch:

Brian McKeever

Sport:

Nordic Skiing - Biathlon

Nordic Skiing - Cross Country Skiing

Brian McKeever made history at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games when he was named to both the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic teams. Over his career, he’s raced at four Paralympics and remains one of the top visually impaired cross-country skiers in the world. McKeever has won an incredible 13 medals, 10 of which are gold. During the World Championships in February, he captured the win with his guide in the 10- and 20-kilometre events. He also helped Canada make its first ever podium finish in the 4x2.5-kilometre relay.

Read full bio: http://paralympic.ca/brian-mckeever

Ina Forrest

Sport:

Wheelchair Curling

Ina Forrest made her curling debut at the 2010 Vancouver Paralympics vice-skipping for Team Canada. Forrest helped Team Canada capture Paralympic gold in Vancouver and in Sochi. In PyeongChang, she’ll be helping Canada try to win its fourth consecutive Paralympic gold medal in wheelchair curling.

In total, Forrest has competed at nine straight world wheelchair curling championships. She has captured first three times and has never finished outside of the top ten.

Forrest was inducted into the Canadian Curling Hall of Fame in February 2016, re-establishing that she is one of the most decorated wheelchair curlers and is still hungry for more gold.

Read full bio: http://paralympic.ca/ina-forrest

Liam Hickey

Sport:

Sledge Hockey/Wheelchair Basketball 

Competing in both the Summer and Winter Games is a feat not many athletes have accomplished. Liam Hickey is a 19-year-old from St. John’s, Newfoundland that played wheelchair basketball for Team Canada at the 2016 Rio Paralympics. He’s now making the transition from the court to the ice, and will be playing for Canada’s sledge hockey team in PyeongChang.

Hickey was named as one of four teenagers that were named to Canada’s National Sledge team in December 2016. At the 2017 World Para Ice Hockey Championships in South Korea in April of last year, Hickey finished fourth in tournament scoring with seven goals and nine assists. This was Hickey’s first world championship in the sport as he helped Team Canada defeat its rivals, the USA 4-1 to win their fourth world title.

Read full bio: http://paralympic.ca/liam-hickey 

Pink Shirt Day and Bake Sale

To celebrate Pink Shirt Day, Ability Online held a bake sale at Humber College. This was an opportunity to show off our pink shirts, and expand Ability Online to a wider audience. Pink Shirt Day’s campaign aims to increase awareness on issues such as bullying, and encourages people to stand up for others.

The justice studies interns manned the booth and brought all the baked goods included in the fundraiser. They provided useful information to those who had questions and delivered baked goods with a smile. Without their help Ability Online's Pink Shirt Day and bake sale wouldn't have been as much of a success.

Check out our video from the event:

Avra Labs Eye Control by Shandi Pace

There's a new technology emerging that's inclusive for any person that struggles with typing has the ability to use. Avra Labs Eye Control was developed by Rishi Kapadia and allows members with mobility issues to operate a computer with only their eyes. By simply using an eye-tracking bar and downloading the necessary software, members will calibrate their computer to work with their eye strength. This works by a tracking device located at the base of the monitor.

In the summer of 2017, Rishi was working at a large tech company and noticed one of his team members struggling to use a computer. “His condition was an essential tremor and I noticed that it took him about five seconds to be able to move his mouse cursor across the screen and typing on his keyboard was a struggle,” said Kapadia.

Researching various solutions that could work as a hands-free alternative to using a mouse and computer left only a few useful options. While there were several other products on the market, none were as efficient to any skill set as the eye gaze technology was.

The next step was to test out the competition. Although eye gaze was the most effective option available to use a computer, most were slow and inconsistent to use. “After ten minutes I didn’t want to use it anymore because of how cumbersome it felt (slow, not accurate enough which would cause it to click places I didn't intend it to, and it felt like a pain in the eye),” said Kapadia. The majority of the products were also overpriced and with the technology available in the world today it was time for a change.

Accessibility is an issue across Canada, which should not only relate to outside of the home, but also while using technology that is supposed to be available to everyone. “After doing research, I recognized that there are millions of people around the world who have difficulty using a computer due to their physical condition. It became my goal to bring these individuals a computer usage experience they can enjoy,” said Kapadia.

At the Abilities Expo the technology was brought to life when Sarah, Ability Online’s own was able to use the software. She was able to type and control the computer with her eyes and with minimal clicking involved. “It was cool to try. I can type quickly, but I think that this technology is going to be really great for people who have trouble with their arms and have issues typing,” said Sarah.

For more information on how to use Avra Labs Eye Control: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrxC0ceRO2s

To contact Rishi with any questions email: contact@avralabs.com

Abilities Expo 2018

“The event for the disability community.”

The second annual Abilities Expo on Canadian soil was held January 19-21 at the International Centre in Toronto. The Abilities Expo promotes greater independence and offers a chance to discover life-changing products, services and workshops to those with special needs. Different events ranging from wheelchair dancing and basketball, face painting, service dog demonstrations were available all weekend.

This year for the very first time, Ability Online was able to participate. Ability Online had the chance to reconnect with members from the past and present at our booth. Highlighting ways that kids, teens and young adults with disabilities as well as parents and professionals can connect to get support in a safe environment.

Products and Services: A wide variety of products and services were available to try all weekend for anyone to test out including mobility products, devices for those with developmental disabilities, other medical equipment, necessary services, and more. Not-for-profit organizations (like Ability Online) were also on hand to provide helpful resources.

Sports and Dancing: Physical activity has always been a key to better health. Attendees of any ability could test out their skills with sports like hockey, basketball, rugby, tennis and sitting volleyball. Dancing queen Auti Angel and Wheel Dance offered interactive dancing workshops that got the entire crowd moving.

Assistance Animals: Animals have always been near and dear to our hearts, but even more so to the disable community. Service dogs are essential in guiding, hearing, diabetic alerts, autism support, and seizure alerts. Service dog demonstrations offered information about how these animals can improve ones life.

Go check out Ability Online's social media to see some more photos from the event and sign up today!

Don't "Dis" My Ability by Jess Silver

My name is Jess Silver. I am a writer, sports fan, traveler and fitness enthusiast. I have cerebral palsy and need a wheelchair and assistance to get around. Despite this I have never allowed my challenge to get in my way of achieving any personal and professional goals because to me it's a hurdle to jump over, not a reason to stop doing anything. 

Professionally, I am a medical writer, adversity management coach/consultant, and executive director of a non-profit organization, called Flex for Access Inc. Being knowledgeable on topics related to fitness and sport has allowed me to create written content for both research and experience based on the importance of sport and physical activity for all. What began as a love of my home basketball team – the Toronto Raptors – and for other teams, transformed into using sport to manage bullying, physical pain and injuries for me. Through working with Michelle at Ability Online, I assist members with disability management with a focus on fitness and sport. 

Flex for Access Inc. is a non-profit organization that acts as an avenue to allow individuals with disabilities and injuries to engage in accessible and adaptive fitness and sport. More info can be found @flexforaccess. 

Every body and mind is different. We must understand it as such, and see challenges as creating uniquely different gears to move the machine of humankind forward. Don’t "dis" my ability. 

Doing What Works by Sarah Evans

All my life I have liked to handwrite. I used to get into arguments with my mother and teachers (I tell you this with a smile on my face) over me writing. My handwriting is big and messy and difficult to read. I understand why people thought it would be easier for me and others if I typed instead of wrote, but I was still stubborn at times.

It wasn't until years later when I didn't have easy access to a computer that I began to handwrite again. I really liked it. What I realized is that for me, handwriting was less an issue of my being stubborn and more about it being easier for me to do my work. It feels like information flows more easily when I write. Somehow, my brain processes information differently. As well, I am a tactile person. I am more focused and engaged in what I am doing when I am writing or doing something meaningful with my hands. I even have an app on my iPad that converts my handwriting into text.

I have learned to do what works. Even though it takes me longer to hand write, it helps me to think more clearly and gives me more confidence in my work.

Getting Healthy in the New Year by Sarah Evans

Happy New Year! It seems like most people resolve to get healthier anytime a new year rolls around. They talk about eating properly and working out, but there are a number of other areas in our lives where we can get healthy.

One of those areas is our social lives. How you prioritize your social life can seriously impact your mental health. I plan to work on being more socially active this year. Believe me, it is easy for me to make excuses to stay home. Sometimes I tell myself that I'm too tired to go out or that going out would be too difficult for me to organize (having to take into account my attendant care, transportation and issues of accessibility). The thing is, I know that I feel better when I go out and socialize with my friends.

Perhaps, the key is to think of things you like to do and use them to put some purpose into your day. I like to go to visit the library to find games and activities. This gives me a chance to do something fun and meet new people. Even if I just go to the library to do my work, I feel better just being around other people.

Your mental health is as important as your physical health. Don't just make a New Year's resolution. We all forget them because they quickly stop being important to us. You don't need a new year to change something for the better in your life. Instead, understand that looking after your mental health affects everything else in your life and commit to making a lifestyle change that you can work toward, little by little.

The Gift of David by Celeste Axworthy

David Axworthy dressed for his role as groomsman and ring bearer 

at his brother's wedding in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia.

This is the story about a gift that I never saw coming. In 1985, I got pregnant with our son David. When he was born we were told that he would probably have Down Syndrome. The doctors asked if they could do blood work to determine if he had Downs and of course the test came back positive. This was definitely a shock for me and my husband Bill. Little did we know that David would change our lives in ways we could not imagine. I was almost ready to give David up, because of all the health problems he had as a baby. The holes in his heart, his failure to thrive, and the infections in his ears; all of these problems were too much for me to handle at the time. Too add to it, I met a lady through the hospital who had a little girl with Down Syndrome. She told me that all of David's accomplishments as a child would be a hurdle for him to overcome. It wasn't very encouraging.

David has a brother who is 23 months older than him and they love each other a lot. We had another child in 1989 (another boy). David had issues as he was growing up, but we overcame them as a family. We tried to raise David like any other child, but as he reached the age to go to school, we ran into some obstacles that would just about tear this family apart. We did not send David to school until he was six years old, and we had some issues with the school. It was always a struggle to get teachers to treat him like all the other kids. Some teachers did not want him in their class, but once they got him in there and got to know him, they loved him. After a while, they were no longer afraid of him.

One thing I thought I would never see, would be David walking across the stage to graduate or even to go to his prom. David did both and I was so proud of him. By that time, he was 21 years old, and although he did not get the same grade 12 education as the other students, he was with his peers and they all loved him. David has also been involved in the Special Olympics for track and field, bowling and curling. He loved participating in all the sports he was in, and he got to meet people, which was very good for him.

David went to a group home in 2004 in Digby, Nova Scotia. He loves it there and comes home at least once a month for a weekend or more. Six years ago my father passed away, and I called David to tell him. He told me not to worry, that it was all over now. It amazes me how a child like David could have the insight to say that so casually to me. He is very wise for a young man.

David has many friends where he lives and he works at Conway workshop. David also works in the community. He cleans up at a pizza parlour on Monday, Wednesday and Friday for an hour and at the end of the week they give him a piece of pizza and some pop. He really enjoys this. Everyone needs to feel useful and that their lives have purpose.

Last year, David was the ring bearer and a groomsman for his brother’s wedding. He did very well and looked great. He was smiling at all the young girls and winking at them as he came down the aisle. He was so cute.

I must be honest and say there are times when I wonder how he would be if he didn't have Down Syndrome, or what would have become of him if I had given him up. Where would he be? Would be happy? How different would he look? I am so glad that I kept him; or should I say, that he kept me.

There is so much more about David that I could write about, but I will stop here. David has grown to be a handsome young man with a big heart, and infectious smile and a special love for the young ladies. When he sees a young lady he walks up to her and says hi, puts his hand out to take hers, kisses the back of it and says, “My name is David and this is my friend, Mom.” He has given me so much joy and happiness. David has made me laugh a lot in the last 29 years. I wouldn't change him for anything because who David is, has made me the mother I am today. Thank you.

Celeste Axworthy lives in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. She is a mother of three and works as a Continuing Care Assistant. 

Developing New Opportunities by Sarah Evans

Sometimes it's easy for me to get stuck and unmotivated.  I know that I have to try harder to go out and be with people, but I make excuses such as the following:  I get too tired,  I don't want to have to cancel my attendant care too many times, I have too much work to do.

But every once in awhile, something comes along that motives me.  Last weekend,  I was at the People in Motion show in Toronto, which is an annual trade show for people with disabilities.  I saw some really neat things.  The Ontario Wheelchair Sports Association had a booth there featuring information about a number of different adapted sports. There was also an organization called Wheel Dance, which offers dancing for people with disabilities.  I took some information from both organizations and signed up for their mailing lists.

I know that I need to be proactive in kickstarting my social life, but going to where there is a lot of information about different opportunities is very inspiring for me.  It excites me to think about trying new things and meeting new people.