How I felt when I carrying the torch

Dear Readers

It came and it ended so fast. Before I knew it the Paralympics were over. I have to say the highlight of my trip was sitting in the rain waiting till Chris told me I could get on the street because the torch was coming. My heart started beating 100 miles an hour as I drove on to the street. The man carried the torch down the street and touched it to mine. At that moment in my mind there was nothing but me and the flame. As I drove down the street people gave me thumbs up, took pictures and shouted, “Go Canada Go”! There were no words to describe how I felt. I carried Fernie with me that day. I carried Fernie with me because I had a Griz pin on the side of my wheelchair and I wasn’t supposed to. After a block and a half I saw Katie sitting and smiling. Nothing in the world could rip that smile off her face. I ran up and slowly touched my torch to hers. Everyone shouted our names, took more pictures and clapped. And in an instant Kate was off, running down the street. She was still wearing that smile. I could never have been happier. After that a lot of people came up and said, “Way to go Grace”! I didn’t even know half the people that came up to congratulate me. Everyone seemed to know that we carried the torch. Well I guess that’s because I was still wearing my uniform. I drove back socking wet but I didn’t care. Back at the place that we started at they packaged up my torch and handed it to me. I couldn’t believe it was mine. It is now hanging up on my wall for me to look at everyday. A memory of my great adventure.

Torch Video

Torch Bearing

Dear Readers

Today I ran the torch. It was the most amazing thing I've ever done. It felt good to have everyone cheering my name. Here are some pictures.

Jean Labonté

Dear Readers

Jean Labonté is 40 years old. His hometown is in Hull Quebec. He is 5’11. His left leg was amputated due to bone cancer in 1990. He joined the Sledge Hockey team in 1996. His number is 17 and he is a defense. He said the hardest thing he learned when he first started Sledge Hockey was controlling the sled. After a victory game they have a party in the locker room. Jean said they usually drink lemonade. “We win together or we lose together. It’s really a team sport”. He said. Jean is a software designer. He took a break from that for 8 months to play Sledge Hockey. He said, “I miss my wife and my son. I am usually away for long periods of time and I don’t get to see them often”. I asked him how it made him feel when the Canadians won the hockey game. He said it made him feel great, especially winning in over time. “We might not have that chance to be in the Paralympics again, so I am very excited that we are going”. He said with a huge smile on his face.

Greg Westlake

Dear Readers

On February the 28^th Katie and I went to Kimberley to interview the Sledge Hockey team. It was so amazing to see them working so hard at a sport they love so much. When Katie and I met them after the game they were very warm and welcoming. I interviewed Greg Westlake and Jean Labonté. They were very willing to share their stories. Greg Westlake is 23 years. His hometown is in Oakville Ontario. He is 6’2 with his prosthetics on. A birth defect led to amputation of both legs below the knee at 18 months of age. He joined the Sledge Hockey team in 2003. His number is 12 and he is a forward. He told me that the hardest thing he learned when he first started Sledge Hockey was balance. He said that he used to play stand up hockey with his prosthetics and he thought he would be a pro at Sledge Hockey. But he realized that it was much harder than it looks. He had to learn how to play hockey all over again. Greg said that he wanted to follow in his older brothers footsteps. I asked him what are some positives of Sledge Hockey? He said just being able to work with the team and being able to go to the Paralympics. “I’m very excited to go to the Paralympics. It’s a huge honor. I hope we win”. He told me. The team gave Greg the nickname “Hollywood” because he was in the media so much. But he told me his life was not glamorous. After a game he showers, eats and goes to bed. He thanks his family for being supportive of him and is glad that they will be there to watch him at the Paralympics.

Jean Labonté and Greg Westlake

Dear Readers

On the 28th of February I went to Kimberly BC to watch and interview the sledge hockey athletes. This is a video of me interviewing Greg Westlake

Meeting Sledge Hockey team

Dear Readers

On the 28th of February Kate and I will be going to Kimberly to interview the sledge hockey athletes. It should be very exciting and I'm excited to meet the athletes.

Paralympics! 23 days!

Dear Readers

As the paralympics draw nearer I'm getting more and more excited. But there is a hint of nervousness deep inside me. Carrying the torch is such a great honor! I remember when Kate and I were just reporters for the winter games in Kimberly and the paralympics were just a distant dream. What a triumph! I'm soooo excited! It's unbelievable. I feel like I'll wake up in a moment! I just want to thank SET BC for getting Kate and I to this point.

Hockey Training

Dear Readers

Last night I went to the Fernie arena to get some pictures of the Fernie Ghostriders while they were practicing. I realized it is very hard to take pictures through the glass of the arena. You have to get your camera in the perfect spot. I also learned that they skate REALLY fast and it's very hard to take pictures. The hockey players I saw must have had to practice skating really hard to be able to skate backwards so fast. They have a great coach! His name is Will Verner. He pushes them to do their very best. This is what they do at their practices. They have to skate really fast around the whole rink. They have to score in the goal with pressure. For example, their team mate skates in front of them and tries to steal the puck. They have to score from long distances. Each player either wears a yellow shirt, a grey shirt, or a black shirt. They do this so they can play practice games against each other. It was a great experience!

Accessibility and sit skies in Fernie

Dear Readers

Accessibility in Fernie? Heck no! A lot of the stores in Fernie are not accessible. Fernie doesn't have the nice biker paths which forces me to walk beside the highway. I was all most hit once. At the ski hill they do have a sit ski but it's old and they can't put it on the chair lift. I wish we had a sit ski like the one in Kimberly. Fernie won't get a new one because there are only 2 disabled kids in Fernie including me. But thats no excuse is it? If we had a sit ski I would probably be up there all day! When my school used to go for skiing lessons I would have to stay home which made me feel terrible. Oh Kimberly next time I'm there I promise I'll go skiing.

Danny Verner Sledge Hockey.

Dear Readers

Danny Verner lives in Quebec and started playing sledge hockey when he was nine years old. His Spina Bifida does not hold him back. His first game was in 1988. He was just nine years old and he won his first gold medal. He made the national team in 1997 and competed at the 1998 Nagano Paralympic Games, where he earned a silver medal. He won another gold medal in the 2006 Torino Paralympic Games. When he is not playing sledge hockey he plays basket ball. He encourages everyone he meets to play sledge hockey.

canada place

Dear Readers

Today we went to Canada Place which is the spot we will be working at. There is this big center that all the reporters go to write their stories. I am so honored to do this. I am also very tired. I threw up the whole way to Vancouver. Yuck. It was my sisters muffins. Blahhhhhhh! I asked the pilot if he thought it was a rough ride and he said no! It totally was. Our room at the Hyatt Regency is BIG! It has a beautiful window that over looks the street. Tonight I'm meeting my sister Tabitha and we are eating the fancy Hyatt super. Now I'm going to meet Theresa Lalonday so bye bye for now. :)

Saturday and Vancouver

Dear Readers

On Monday we are going to Vancouver for our last studentslive meeting. I'm excited because I get my press pass on this visit. And Kate is going to be with me which will make me less anxious. I had to make a video for studentslive to get chosen. I had to redo my video over and over again because I couldn't get it right. I chose sledge hockey because it was very interesting. I learned that sledge hockey was created in a rehabilitation center in Sweden. I had to make a sledge hockey presentation. I think the best part of carrying the olympic torch is that i get to carry it with Kate. Please remember to sign up for studentslive.ca

Tuesday and snore

I'm to tired!!!!!!! zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Saturday, Sunday and Monday

Dear Readers

Sorry I haven't written in a while but I've been so overwhelmed. I've been forgetting things left and right. Saturday I went down town and got an exercise shirt. It is black and pink. Then we went for a tea. After that my sister came from Cranbrook and we played Super Mario Bros. Sunday I went to church and then I hung out all day. Today I have some music I have to do. Well bye for now don't blame me if I don't write.

Friday and the torch

Dear Readers

KATE AND I GET TO CARRY THE TORCH! I'M SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO EXCITED.

Thursday and over load!

Dear Readers

My brain is going to explode!!!!! To much science not enough chocolate! I've been learning about the nucleus and the cytoplasm. Why can't text books speak english? I had a lovely burrito for lunch with a side of very watered down apple juice. I was so hungry at lunch I couldn't spell animal! I'm to tired to type any more. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

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Wednesday and glasses

Dear Readers

Yet again I had another brain fart. I thought I lost my glasses. So I went crazy trying to look for them. I tore my room apart. And then I look over at my desk and they were sitting there! Today I have a teleconference with SET BC and Katie Gibbs. My family has something against fruit today. We don't have any. But my father said he would go get some. Fruit is like an essential breakfast item. I have a vegetable craving so this morning I ate peppers for breakfast. Yesterday I think I ate to much chocolate! Because I got hyper and I ran around my room for an hour. I finally practiced my piano last night. And I watched Josh play wii fit. Well school time!

Tuesday and I lost my brain! Can you help me find it??

Dear Readers

Oi I just woke up. Ya I have a bed head problem. If I don't straighten my hair I look like a hippy. Why school why! I had a brain fart yesterday. Ya I FORGOT WHAT 1+1 EQUALED!!!!!!!! See now you know what I said about being as dumb as a post when it comes to math is true. Have you ever had a brain fart? It would be nice to know I'm not the only one. I'm starting my singing lessons on Friday again. I'm so excited. My singing teacher had a baby and stopped for a while. I just found a friend on facebook that I haven't seen since grade 1. Him and I were best friends up to grade 3. Then he moved. It was nice to talk to him. My favorite snack food is chips! I'm a chipoholic!!!! Speaking of food I'm hungry I'm going to eat.

Monday and back to work

Dear Readers

Back to the old desk again. My brain isn't cut out for working so hard. I'm going to tell you a secret. When it comes to math I'm as dumb as a post. What subject do you have a hard time in? My favorite subjects are Drama and lunch. What is your favorite subject? When I graduate I want to go to collage to the become a singing teacher. This is my 7th year of singing lessons. I play the piano too. This is my 3rd year. Speaking of that I forgot to practice oops!!!!! I'm super excited for the Paralympics but there is sooooooo much I've got to do. Writing in this blog is one of the things I have to do. And finding out what athletes I want to interview is another. I wish I had an assistant who could do it all for me. I have to admit I'm still a little confused about the studentslive thing but I'll figure it out. I did feel a little weird at the meeting because I always do stuff like this with Katie Gibbs. Not having her there was very hard. Well I have to practice my piano before I get in trouble.

Sunday and taking down the christmas decorations

Dear Readers:

Today is Sunday and I just got back from church. We are taking down our christmas tree and our decorations today. Sometimes I think it's pointless setting up all the decoration and then a week later taking them down. I do love setting up the tree though. We have a tradition in our family for setting up the tree. We watch "It's a wonderful life". My favorite christmas movie would be "White christmas". I swear I watched it 10 times over the christmas holidays. I hate having to go back to school right after the christmas holidays. I always forget everything I learned before the holidays. I'm guessing I'm not the only one who does that. I'm a procrastinator. I always leave my homework for the last day of the holidays, but my new years revolution is to not procrastinate. What was your new years revolution? Happy holidays everyone!

Saturday

Dear Readers:

Today is another boring Saturday. None of my friends can come over. I don't get why people see my wheelchair and not the person that is sitting in it. I've all ways had problems with making friends because I'm in a wheelchair. I don't get why people have to treat me as if I was mentally and physically disabled. I'm not mentally disable I'm physically disabled. I have a very hard time in school as well. My teachers treated me as if I was a baby. I hate that. But I'm doing better because now I'm being home schooled. So today I'm probably going to sit at my laptop and eat chips all day. I can't go outside either. I live where there is snow all the time. And people here don't think to shovel the side walks! So I hope you all are having a great Saturday!

I just got home from Vancouver today and I am very tired. We drove 12 hours! When I was in Vancouver I had my first ferry ride. We were taking my sister to Gabreola Island to get her stuff. I did get a little sea sick but I didn't puke. Vancouver was so warm, it was + 8! When we got home it was - 16! Ahhhhhhhh cold!!!!! But I'm glad to be home.

studentslive

everyone who is reading this should go to studentslive.ca and sign up. Students live is so awesome. Some teens get to go to the olympic games. We are trying to get our members list up to one thousand. Don't worry this website is perfectly safe and it doesn't send out viruses. This program is really awesome so please please sign up.