GOLD MEDAL FOR CAN FUND
For the past thirteen years a remarkable woman named Jane Roos has raised millions of dollars that go directly to Olympic athletes like me. In fact 90% of the athletes currently competing in Vancouver have received funding from the Canadian Athletes Now Fund. The $6000 grants that can be applied for twice a year help to support athletes living and training expenses. Most Canadians just don’t realize that most Olympic athletes live paycheck to paycheck while maxing out credit cards to follow their dreams and passions in sport
For the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Winter games SHAW has given two floors of their downtown Vancouver building to hosting athletes and their families. It is a place where the athletes can meet with their family and friends, sometimes even their children outside of the Olympic village.
Sprott asset management has made a commitment to give $100,000 to the CAN Fund for each gold medal won at the games. Incredible.
The unbelievable vision and passion of this one woman and her small team of volunteers has helped Canadian athletes win gold here at home and abroad. Jane and her Olympian husband Conrad deserve a gold medal in philanthropy for their efforts.
SUCCESS AT SUMMER DOWN UNDER
After three weeks of training in Sydney, Australia, Mikey hit the track and road for some competition! Starting out in Canberra on a beautiful summer evening, Mikey set the World Record in the 100m at 19.81. Not that she knew it as the results did not get posted until the following day because of difficulties with the scoreboard. It was the beginning of a great night at the track with solid races in the 200m and 400m and a Personal Best in the 800m. A few days later Mikey hit the track again at Sydney Olympic Park. The winds were stronger that night, sometimes in her favor and other times not so much! The weather was good enough to set a Personal Best in the 400m, inching closer and closer to the World Record.
The traditional Oz day race through the historic Rocks on Australia Day took place on the 26th. It was an emotional day as most of us were still shocked and saddened by the sudden passing of our dear friend and fellow racer Clayton Gerein earlier in the week. I put all my energy into thinking of what Clay has taught me over the years and pushed with the passion and determination that he always did in each and every race. I know that he was there with me that morning pushing me though to the finish line in record time of 30.12. You will always be in my heart Clay.
OLYMPIC TORCH RELAY HEATS UP IN NANAIMO
The flame made its way to Nanaimo, after arriving in Victoria the day before, where it was greeted by a huge crowd of people, many of whom were dressed in the spirit of Halloween. Running a little bit behind schedule Mikey was patient as she waited to receive the flame from Michael Cunliffe of Victoria. Weaving through a parted pathway of people up to the stage, seeing many family and friends along the way, the feeling of Canadian pride was magical. Lifted up to the stage by a hydraulic platform Mikey turned around to hold the flame high for the crowd before lighting the cauldron. Treena Armitage of SeaSide Studios was there to take some fabulous pictures. The dark skies lit up one last time with an amazing display of fireworks to signal the end of the Torch Relay for the day. Check out the photo gallery for more pictures.
MIKEY COMPLETES HER FIRST MARATHON!
Traveled to Oita Japan on the 21st of October feeling confident and ready for the marathon. The training time had been put in and new racer was ready to be tested. The wonderful volunteers in Oita greeted us at the door of the plane and the excitement began. Never before have I seen so many dedicated volunteers. Some of them have been coming back year after year for more than 20! It was all looking good on race day until it started to rain just minutes before leaving the hotel. The stress level went up as wheeling 200m in the rain was frustrating enough, never mind 42.2km! Nevertheless Mikey finished in 2 hours 21 minutes beating her goal of 2:30 (in the sun!) Who knows where this could lead…
THE COUNTDOWN IS ON!
Did I say this chair is going to be the lightest on the market? What I meant to say is that there is no other chair on the market as custom and intricately designed. This weekend I had a chance to sit in the racer for the first time and it was fabulous! The amount of time, energy, thought and fine intricate work Rob has put into it is crazy. He fully admits that it has gotten a bit out of hand but is also having a blast building it. Together we are proud to boast that it is 2 pounds lighter than my current chair.
In less than seven days I will pick up the completed frame to bring home and start training in. This gives me one month to test it out before taking it to Oita, Japan to rock it at my first ever marathon.
ROBERTS AND STILWELL TEAM UP
After months of talking and sharing ideas with other high profile racers like Kelly Smith and Jeff Adams the process has started. Rob Mulder of Roberts Sailboards is building the finest carbon fiber race chair on the market. You can't get anything this custom! Looking to be lighter than the chair chair currently used by Stilwell along with amazing aerodynamics it won't be long until more records are shattered. Stay tuned for more pictures and updates on the build process.
RICK MERCER REPORT
Not sure what I was thinking but I really should have a link to the Rick Mercer Report. My time with Rick last year was so very memorable. I have had so many people come up and talk about how much they enjoyed the episode and how much it made them laugh. Me too! Just imagine how hard I laughed that day! I hope it can bring you few chuckles as well. Click on the photo!
RAISING MONEY FOR SPINAL CORD INJURY
June 14th was the Rick Hansen Wheels in motion event. Once again as an ambassador for the foundation I took part in the Nanaimo event. Raising more than $1.2 million across Canada, this money will make a profound difference in the lives of people living with spinal cord injury.
DINING WITH THE PRINCE
On June 5th (the 17 year anniversary of my injury) Prince Edward was bestowed a First Nations name (by the four bands involved in the 2010 Games) and I had the incredible honor to take part in his naming Ceremony. We casually conversed over an amazing dinner at the new Convention Center in Vancouver. He was a warm and genuine man well deserving of his First Nations name.
GONE COUNTRY
June 6th took me out to Kananaskis where Gord Bamford gave a private concert for the Western Association of Broadcasters where I was a guest speaker. He was an absolute gem and I enjoyed the evening thouroughly!
STILWELL VICTORIOUS IN VICTORIA
SUNDAY, March 26, 2009
On a brisk Sunday morning Michelle Stilwell took off from the start of the 2009 Times Colonist as leader of the pack. Athens Paralympian Al Bergman came out of retirement for the race after some coaxing and nudging from Mikey.
"Even though it was only for 400-500m it felt great to be at the front against a Paralympian like Al."
STILWELL AT THE TOP AGAIN
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Amidst great company of some of the most amazing athletes in Canada, Michelle Stilwell was named Sport BC’s Athlete of the Year (with a disability) at the River Rock Casino in Richmond. President of the Canadian Paralympic Committee, Carla Qualtrough, along with Flight Centre President, Greg Dixon presented Stilwell with the Oscar like award.
MIKEY SETS COURSE RECORD DOWN UNDER!
Stilwell won the T52 10Km event at the Summer Down Under Road and Track Series in Sydney, Australia in record time of 32.42. Stilwell bettered her last years time by almost two minutes to set the course record.
"It was perfect weather for a race through the Rocks of downtown Sydney. I just wish I had not flatted with 3km to go. It would have been great to finish in 30 minutes. I am thrilled with the p.b. at this point in the season and am looking forward to my 1/2 marathon in a couple of weeks."
BEIJING 2008: THE PARALYMPIC GAMES ON CBC
CBC TELEVISION BROADCAST SCHEDULE
Date Time and Event
Saturday September 27 2:00pm - 3:30pm (EST)
Monday September 29 12:30am - 2:00am (EST) Rebroadcast
* Schedule subject to change
As well, for web streaming of the events go to:
www.paralympicsport.tv
Official Website of the Beijing Paralympic Games
en.paralympic.beijing2008.cn
r 27 2:00pm - 3:30pm (EST)
Monday September 29 12:30am - 2:00am (EST) Rebroadcast
* Schedule subject to change
As well, for web streaming of the events go to:
www.paralympicsport.tv
Official Website of the Beijing Paralympic Games
en.paralympic.beijing2008.cn