Buying the Torch!

We definitely bought the four hundred dollar Paralympic torch and we called it a gift from our generous valley. We had a tremendous amount of support from everyone! Thank you SO much

Top 16 best thing about my paralympic trip

Now that Ièm back at home and school, everybody wants me to tell them my stories of the Paralympics. A question i often get was my favorite part of the trip. There were so many fantastic parts I couldnèt just pick just one, so, I decided to make a list of my top 16 favorite paralympic moments. Here are the nomeniees.

1.My whole family being down there with me, Mom,Dad, and sister Nat.

2. Being there with my best friend Grace and her family.

3. Carrying the Torch!

4. Opening Ceremonies

5. meeting Rick Hansen

6. meeting Sam Sullivan

7. My aunt Jo, and cousin Steph coming to stay with us for a few days.

8. Doing interview with people and typing them up on my blog.

9. Meeting Jack Oppen

10. Going to Whisler

11. Meeting Bruns family

12. Whisler ski hill

13. Meeting Diane Hollbrook ( a friend of my grandmas that lives in Vancouver

14. Staying at the Sunset inn

15. Being in Vancouver for two weeks

16 Being able to get around with my wheelchair

17. Meeting little jack ( Tracys friend 6 year old son, he is so cute!)


There were so many magical moments that happend juring the Paralympics. I am so honoured to have been there and been able to do all the things I got to do. What a lucky girl i am!

closing ceremonies

As everything usually does, the Paralympics just had to come to an end. The closing ceremonies were in Whistler on the Sunday night. One of Tracy's friends, Dave Sharpe, worked at the games so it was nice having him with us to help us out a bit It rained at the start of the ceremonies, but right when they started, the weather got really, and the ceremony was wonderful. There were some very inspiring speeches about amazing athlete, dancing and shows. We all got globe that light up and say see you in Soshi. Soshi is in Russia and is where the next Olympics and paralympics will be. I sat at the back and got to see all the medalists come in. One of the American athletes came up to me and showed me her medal. That was cool. i got to talk to her. I felt really special then. It was another amazing night. I cried at the end of it. i couldn't believe it was over. i hated when the cauldron went out! I wanted to yell out, don't do it! Don't de light the torch. I would have given anything to go to just one more sporting event. We have all had an amazing journey these past few weeks. I will never forget this chance in a lifetime.

Peak to Peak Gondola

While my family and I were staying up, in Whistler, our family got to go up the Peak to Peak Gondola. It is the longest free standing gondola in the world. Its huge. It can fit about 10 people,plus an electric wheelchair. I could take my three hundred fifty wheelchair on their! Plus me was Four hundred fifty. i could get around so easily in Whistler. To get on the gondola people slowed it don for me and i could just wheel on. People there were so helpful, and everything there is so accessible too! Someone would come over to us with a trolley sort of thing that my chair could get on and they'd push me over to the gondola. Then someone would slow it down so i could get on. The ride was beautiful.. We were very high up and we could see the ski hill from far above. It felt scary almost. A gorgeous gondola and ride. Nat even got to go skiing with the Bruns family. How exciting for her! On a huge mountain! Had a great time. What a way to start winding our trip up

Seeinfg the Paralympic Cauldrin

On Friday night, our family of four went down to see theParalympic Cauldron. It was quite the display. We went up the elevator to see the torch display. Wow. What a sight. We took lots of pictures, and walked around for quite a while. As I was mesmerised by the flame itself, thinking of all the events that has taken place since we arrived in beautiful Vancouver. The backdrop of the mountains and the Pacific ocean. It was A very nice family outing.

Sledge hockey

A couple days ago, I went with grace to a sledge hockey game. Sweden and Korea were playing. Grace was cheering very very loud. She and I cheered for Sweden and Grace was competing against a lady cheering for Korea. We both had a lot of fun.. The sledge hockey is so upbeat. Music, and cheering, and chants. I loved that! We had a lot of fun! Inspirational as always

curling

We had another curling game to go to after Whistler. We went as a family.There were no Canadians! We were by the U.S Swiss. There were no Canadians! U.S. beat the Swiss badly! We didn't stay long, but it was it was nice to to show dad how Paralympians curl. When I see athletes in wheelchairs, playing hard, their always winners in my eyes!

Interview with Jack Spinel

While I was on a bus, heading up to watch the skiing, I met a guy in a wheelchair, Jack Spinel. Jack is in a wheelchair due to a climbing accident. I started talking to him. He and I connected like that. Hes such a nice guy. I thought an interview from a disabled person view would be Perfect!

What is your name?
Jack Spinal

Where are you from?
The Big Island, Hawaii

What brought you to the Paralympics?
Ever since jack was a little boy, going to the Olympics was a big aspiration. But after Jack had his accident, he got more interested in the Paralympics. One day, he just got his family together, and said, we got to go.

Whats your favorite sport to watch? Why
Sit skiing. It looks really hard says jack

What do you think is the biggest difference between the Olympics and the Paralympics
Both are incredible says jack they both take an enormous amount of determination,discipline ,focus.
The Paralympics are more close to Jacks heart. i know what it feels like to have your life spun out of control says Jack. you have to refrain, rebuild. refocus. Its an opportunity to take something that's a challenge, or even tragic, and turn it into a real blessing.

Interview with Allan family

Part of my job as a reporter of the paralympics is to interview people about how their liking the games. While I was staying up at Whistler with the Bruns family, I thought they would make the perfect interview, because they live right by all the skiing action. So after the medal ceremonies, I sat down with them to interview them. Here is what they had to say about the Paralympics.

1. What are all your names?
Tracy Bruns, Justin Bruns, and Tegan Bruns

2.Where are you from?
Whistler B.C

3. What stands out to you most about the Paralympics rather than the Olympics
The spirit of theParalympics, says Tracey. The whole vibe of the town. At the opening we were dancing with all the athletes who are all over.

Tegan says they wont give up even though they don't have an arm or leg
special athletes Tracey says

A lot of things stand out to Justin. The athletes and Just being here is special

4. What is your favorite Para sport to watch
Since there big skiers in whistlers, of course they love the skiing. Some of their favorite types are solemn and downhill because their on the mountain that they ski on

5.What inspires you about the athletes?
They don't give up, they push their limits, They're incredible! says Justin Its pretty exciting says Tracy

Skiing Medals

After a great day watching the skiing, that same evening, we went to watch the Alpine skiing Medal ceremony with Tracey, Tegan and Justin. It was pretty exciting. Huge antipating crowd. It was so packed we had a hard time figuring out where to watch from! But we eventually found great seats and watched a fantastic Show! Canada won Two gold metals and a silver! A first gold for Canada! Everybody felt so proud, when the Canadian flag rose, and the national anthem was sang by all. Me, I was just proud of anyone who got up there with a disability. I loved how they had different categories for the different disabilities groups had. At the end of the night, we got to see all the medalist walk down an isle to show off their medals! They were SO happy! Waving and Smiling! A great night had by all. A job well done for all Paralympic athletes!

Solem Alpine Skiiing

While my family and I were staying up at Whistler, we were going to go up to watch the Alpine Skiing. I was most excited about watching this event, because I do ski myself. We took two buses to get down to the event . We got settled in great seats close to the event. The venue is so handicapped accessible. There was a path just for wheelchairs, that easily led you to the seats. The skiers were Awesome. Sometimes I could barely tell they had disabilities. I kept on saying that to my mom. A lot of the skiers had only one leg. I saw one sit skier. All the athletes did amazing. It was very cool to see. Great job everybody!

Whistler!

Had a great couple days staying up in Whistler. Stayed with some good friends of mom and Dads , Tracey Bruins, and her two great kids Tegan and Justin. What a great Family! Drove up to whistler was stunning. Went up the Sea to Sky highway. A lot of money was pored into to this highway for the Olympics. Wow, is it ever stunning, with its luscious trees going up the highway. I thought Whistler was an expensive place. A little too much for our budget! We had a great two days! Thank youTracey,Justim and Tegan

Disabled Curling Rocks

Tonight at 6:00, i went to my first Paralympic event, wheelchair curling. I went with my cousin Steph, who's is staying with us for a couple days. Her and I went down to the Paralympic Centre to watch the event. We were both very excited, and very curious. I was supposed to be interviewing athlete, but i didn't know very much about the game, so today I just observed. A lady, Audrey met us outside,to give us our tickets. We got front row seats! The game was great to watch. It was amazing to see people in wheelchairs do the sport, and play this hard! The athletes get to bring their wheelchairs on the ice to play. They get a long pole to throw the puck. It has a hook that clings on to the rock. From there its just played like a able bodied game, throwing the rock into the ring. There were 8 countries, in different lanes. Canada, USA, Sweden, England, Korea, Peru, Czech Republic, and China. They all did very well, and I was excited to be there. Back at curling tomorrow with some interview questions.

Paralympic Torch Bearer Day!

Today I carried the Paralympic torch...
I was so excited and very nervous! Our day started at 5:30am with a briefing about fifteen other torch bearers. We introduced ourselves and told each other our stories. Then we were given our torch and we were off on our adventure. My family all gathered inside a Starbucks to stay out of the rain. At 7:50am, my best friend Grace was approaching with her lit torch! I was so proud of her! Our torches kissed and then it was my turn to go. Overwhelmed, i headed down the street! I was trying so hard to just enjoying every second of it, and make it last. At the end,i met a very cheerful man, Sam Sullivan, the former mayor of Vancouver. What a nice man he was! Cameras and reporters surrounded me. Apparently i was on the morning news1 Complete strangers were asking for a picture of me, or me next to them. I guess it was because my smile was so big! I'm so glad we bought the torch! Every time I look at that, Ill remember this very special day.
Kate Torch bearer#224

Were here!

1st full day in Vancouver. I received my cool Torch Bearer uniform and my route I will run while carrying the torch. Wow! 5:30am briefing. That means getting up at the crack of dawn, but that's OK. Grace will be lighting my torch at 7:56am. What a magical day it will be on Robinson Street.
We took a small boat to Granville Market. This city is very wheelchair accessible. Lots of wheelchairs around and really nice people. Better get some rest. Huge day Tomorrow!

Our Paralympic Trip Begins

Tomorrow weère on our way to the Paralympics! The adventure begins! Ill keep everyone posted for the highlights of my journey!

Mrs.Horkoff raffle basket

A couple of days ago, before Spring Break, one of the high school teachers, Mrs. Horkoff was raffling off a home made basket. She told me she wanted to help me with fundraising for my big Paralympic trip, so the money that people put in to win the basket went to me. Mrs. Horkoff made it so you write you name on a little piece of paper, and put that into a container with money. On Thursday, she said that I would get to draw the name. She came by my classroom, so i could pick the person. It was Jan Quick! She was delighted! She gave me a big hug and we got our picture taken together. Thank you to Mrs.Horkoff for organizing this and thank you to everyone for your generous donations. Every bit l got us farther!

Sunday Ski, right before the Paralympics

I got out for another Ski Day! What a beautiful day, and right before I go to the Paralympics ,too. The two ladies that were out there, Fern and Heather. They were with me last time. They learn soo fast about how to maneuver the Sit ski and being the break man. T Katrien was there too. She just had a baby, and she came today I was so glad to ski with her. We went up a new run, outrider. I think that's my favorite, but it was hard for my team because of the terrain. ii was a great day. Shining sun and shining faces.

A great Community!

Its true that little town doesn't have mall, or McDonald's and all that huge popular stuff, but you know what it does have? A lot of Kind, generous people. Every time you go down town, you gotta run into someone you know. Everyone that I talk to about my Paralympic adventure, either gives me great enthusiasm about what I am doing, or they give me a generous donation. A few people at my school have given me money. A lady who works at our insurance company gave me two more sledge hockey tickets. They were for her, but she couldnt make it, so she gave them to me. Now my whole family can go to that event! The lady who owns the AG Valley Foods Grocery Store gave me a huge check. Thank you everybody! All of you are the ones that will make this amazing experience happen!

Meeting the Sledge Hockey Team Down in Kimberly

My Paralympic adventure is coming up so soon! I Cant believe it! Anyway, last Sunday, i got to go to Kimberly, to watch a sledge hockey team practise for the Paralympics. I went with Grace, of course, my mom, my sister Nat, and my aunt Jo. Grace brought her family and her aide Sally. Kathy Mccauley joined us, our SET B.C helper. Anyway , the sledge hockey was Amazing! Even though those guys have disability's, they play hard! They bump into the sides, and wipe out just like any other hockey player would. They sit on seats, that kind of remind me of my sit ski. They sit really close to the ground, and use two hockey sticks, one to hit the puck, and one to steer themselves. The goalies shoot out the puck with there knees instead of with a puck. When the game was finished, Grace and I went in little space just out of the Arena, to talk to some of the players. Grace had some interview questions she wanted to ask, and I video taped her. Those guys are huge inspirations! Both of them have lost there legs, one guy to Cancer, and one due to a birth defect. I got to talk to one of them, and he said he has a six year old son! Now, just watching them play, was quite the show, but hearing stuff like that just blows me away! They're sure go getters that's for sure! Right before we left all the players came out, and gave each me and Grace their hockey cards with their autographs on them! This trip is just one of the lucky experience's I will have over the next few weeks. i cant wait!