Paralympian | artist | motivator
Movember came to a crashing close yesterday, and as a result, faces of men everywhere, including my own, are beginning to regain innocence so violently lost. During my morning commute I noticed several strangers on the bus, who seemed very familiar, yet unrecognizable. Shadows of their former selves, their bare upper lips were shining in [...]
SEATTLE – Dalia Mykolaitiene’s opponents knew she was a threat all weekend long, at the Leon Auriol Open held in Seattle October 2nd and 3rd, 2010. “You’re right up there [with the best fencers here]“, said one opponent. Her other foes felt the fast sting of her epee first-hand, in hard fought bouts. Unseeded, going [...]
The world ranking list for 2010 has been released after the 2010 Boccia World Championships in Lisbon. Click here for the full 2010 Boccia World Rankings document. After a solid two tournaments this quadrennial so far, I am currently ranked a respectable 12th individually. In pairs BC4, Canada remains ranked 10th, even after an excellent [...]
My teammate and colleague Dale Stevenson now has a Master’s Degree in Disability Studies from the University of Manitoba. In the process of obtaining it, Stevenson has contributed an excellent study of Paralympic identity, through the lense of masculinity, to sport and disability literature. Most importantly and invaluably, the author is a disabled athlete himself. [...]
The best boccia players in Canada faced off this weekend in Montreal, at premier boccia tournament – Défi Sportif. National team newcomer Caroline Vietnicks showed poise under pressure with a commanding undefeated performance, winning the BC4 division. A highlight of Défi Sportif, the BC4 boccia competition held at the Aréna Maurice Richard showcased the skill [...]
As a seasoned traveler in an electric wheelchair, I find myself on a plane at least once a month. Although I have had many very positive experiences with individual gate agents, grounds crew and flight attendants, the system as a whole for the wheelchair air traveler can be vastly improved. If the air industry is [...]
In my travels across the world, and in Canada, with the Canadian boccia team – a group of over 10 elite athletes in electric wheelchairs – a fairly frequent trend seems to be emerging. Flight attendants, waiters, facility managers and other people we come across, immediately talk to the nearest person without a disability in [...]
By Max Erhmann c. 1920 Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant, they too have their [...]
Since becoming more serious about my online presence, and blogging regularly, I have come across several high quality websites that cover disability topics very well. In no particular order, I encourage you to visit these sites and connect with the authors of the best disability blogs I have seen. Get Mobilized! http://getmobilized.ca/ Jeff Preston, a [...]
My Lithuanian girlfriend Dalia showed me a great, fun and easy way to decorate eggs. Easter is a major event in Lithuania, and egg decorating is a big part of it. You can find a very interesting history of Lithuanian Easter traditions here. The eggs below were made by boiling onion in water. Then, raw [...]
