How to Overcome Fear

Josh Vander Vies looks at Nicola Godden's "Icarus" - a lifesize statue of a winged human figure.

It has been about 10 months now since the 2012 Paralympics, and it seems that most people ask me the same question: “When you were at London 2012, how was the Paralympic Village?  What was that like?” I usually respond by telling them that it was awesome.  There were people from every part of the world there, [...]

My First Instagram Post is My Favourite

European-coffee

I remember starting to see all of the hipster tinged pictures showing up in my Twitter and Facebook feeds many months ago.  It was likely around the time that Facebook acquired Instagram for $1 billion, that I realized what those sepia filtered photos were.  Naturally, I decided to get an account and create my own. I made [...]

A Reluctant Advocate

vancouver-accessibility

One of Dalia’s friends recommended we meet her at an art exhibition opening this weekend.  It was of an artist her friend knows, on Granville Street, where Vancouver’s art galleries are concentrated.  We planned to go and I was looking forward to it all week.  When we arrived, we were met with stairs.  No problem, [...]

Visite d’un médaillé paralympique à l’école Madeleine-Bergeron

Photo by Matthew Murnaghan/Canadian Paralympic Committee

Québec, 19 février 2013 – C’est avec beaucoup de fierté et d’enthousiasme que l’école Madeleine-Bergeron, une école spécialisée, recevra le médaillé paralympique Josh Vander Vies à prendre la parole et à jouer au boccia le vendredi, 22 février à 10 h, dans le cadre de l’édition 2013 de la Semaine scolaire paralympique présentée par le Comité [...]

Guest Blog Post: True Accessibility is Universal

featured-mv1

I had a great time last weekend, honoured as a Paralympic medalist at the Great Valentine Gala. Another highlight for me was riding in a truly innovative new accessible limo service.  Love My Limo picked me up from the airport in an MV-1 and I wrote about the experience at allaccesspass.ca. Check it out here: [...]

The Real Rule Changes International Boccia Needs

photo courtesy of Don Lane

I submitted my feedback to the proposed BISFED draft rules earlier this month.  In respecting the process that they laid out, I only commented on rule changes that the BISFED Rule Committee had approved and were seeking input on. I understand that BISFED is a new organisation and is just getting started as an international [...]

Boccia Rule Changes After London 2012

Photo: Phillip MacCallum/Canadian Paralympic Committee |  Logo: bisfed.com

After each Paralympic Games, the governing body of international boccia – now BISFed (Boccia International Sports Federation) – opens submissions for changes to the official rules.  The submission process from nations is now over and draft changes have just been announced, and can be downloaded here. BISFed is inviting comments on the draft changes. I [...]

How to Set Goals

SMART Goals

At the beginning of the year the “New Years Resolution” itch is setting in for most.  Resolutions are of course really goals.  Like most elite athletes, I have set my share of goals in my career: win a match, win a tournament, make the national team, and win a Paralympic medal. Goals need not only [...]

It’s More Than Sport

More Than Sport

A few weeks ago in the Toronto Sun I said that I believe in the power of sport.  On a broad level, sport is one of the best ways for individuals to learn transferable skills like teamwork, healthy competition and performing under pressure.  Participating in sport also brings the individual benefits of health, physical literacy [...]

If Only Canadian Politicians Were Bold

Photo by Trudeau pour Papineau, Creative Commons

Over the past four federal elections in Canada, an average of 39% of eligible voters did not vote (source).  A staggering number of our country’s citizens are choosing not to participate in the political process.  Many commentators argue that apathy is severely compromising Canadian democracy. The reasons for this are perhaps complicated, but I saw [...]