Vancouver Paralympics

Two days ago was another one of those extraordinary days. I was testing at Whistler Olympic Park in the cross country events. I tested a couple of amazing athletes and met Brian McKeever (the partially blind cross country athlete) who trains in Canmore and is guided by his brother. A wonderfully shy and accomplished person he appears to be. Everyone in the station was anxious to shake his hand and congratulate him before he left the doping station. As well we all got to see his medal - they are heavy and have a nice 3-d wave to them as well as very nice aboriginal designs on them.

One gal that I tested (German) taught me something about catherization and how well it works. She told me that she became parapeligic about 8 years ago. As she hurriedly cycled to school (she was running late) she fell off her bike. That was the end of her functioning legs. She was so easy to chat with and just quickly shared her story of how one's life changes in just a split second and how unexpectedly it can happen.

The station here is pretty laid back (a station manager and co-ordinator with great interpersonal skills and judgement). We heard that the Russian doctor/interpreter did not like coming to doping control the first time. But after that it was all good. In fact, she now loves the doping station and says that it is the best place to be. She loves us, we love her - just like it should be. We all shook her hand or hugged her ...and the athletes - so much different than I have seen before. So much human warmth. Maybe sport can be an avenue to break cultural barriers.

Then I hopped onto a bus at the Workforce check-in to get to the Athlete's Village (a 500m walk). I wanted to avoid security and this bus was going through a different security channel so I jumped on. That was fine and then I looked around the bus. I was the only one who was not an athlete! Guess that bus was not the one that I should have been looking to get on. Never mind. It was a bus with lots of standing room and only a few seats. I chatted to a Brit .....and then he did tell me that he was biking (motor?), fell off and was run over by a car. He is paralyzed from the mid-chest down. He gave me a quick lesson on life. His accident happened six years ago. He said that he could be angry and that some of the athletes still are. Or he said that he could get over it and live. He took up skiing and sits in a sit-ski. He was having trouble with the webbing straps that keep his chest secure in the sit-ski as something had broken. He could not repair it properly. He had developed the webbing himself. He needed this as his injury is so high up his spinal column that he needs to be secured in. I was expressing my understanding of his plight and he simply said that he would do the best that he could and hopefully the repair job would last the race. ....I guess that the accident taught him to put things into perspective.

From there it was an evening of wonderful entertainment with a guitar by one of our DCO's. He played in the coffee shop and a large group of us enjoyed that. I walked back to the trailer and saw the new moon and stars and felt extremely blessed to have had the opportunity for so many amazing experiences and feelings jammed into one day.

That was followed by a day of skiing. This is the first day that the sun shining brilliantly and the snow was fantastic. My other days here were at least half with very flat light. So I enjoyed the fabulous views, the mountain air and the awesome skiing. I found a lift called Peak Express and it had the moguls and snow that were perfect for me. I skiied more than half a day here and eventually went on the peak to peak to Blackcombe. It was a stunning day and I skiied alone except for the first 3 runs. I skiied so hard and for a long day with a short lunch. My legs performed pretty damned well! Managed to phone in to check about work at 200pm and eventually I arrived at 5. With no tests we were let go at 6. Several of us working this evening had gone skiing today. It was the best day weatherwise amd visibility to be out there. Then a hottub after a short shift at Club Intrawest.

Today was another day at the cross country doping station. Another brilliant sunny day, enthusiastic crowd (not as many as the other day) and wonderful athletes. Today only 2 females to test and both produced dilute samples to required a second sample. One jumping up and down and around with enthusiasm and trying to get the urine into her bladder? The other sitting quietly. She gave me her bouquet from the medal ceremony. Often they throw them into the crowd but she gave this to me. Initially I said no that we can not accept anything. I thought about it and later accepted. The manager suggested that I put it in my backpack and keep the information to myself. They are a pretty green and not very colorful. They have a banana leaf folded on the outside and white flowers that are sprayed quite green. All very natural and selected as the Olympic/ParaOlympic bouquet from a contest of entries.

Then lots of us went tubing. It was fun sliding and hooking up and going down the tube park. Not as good as skiing but fun with the gang.

Only one more day left and I shall enjoy that with a yoga class in the morning, then a walk and check-in to work. Hopefully see the closing ceremonies from some angle somewhere.

It's been quite the ride - just about time to go back home. The food has been amazing - no cooking, no dishes and such variety here. I guess that I have adjusted before. The people have been enriching - from the athletes and their wonderful spirits to the dynamics of how the doping control stations function and all of the relationships and personalities that comprise them - from the absolute rule bound to the more liberal approach, from the excellent interpersonal skills to those that seem to lack them, from the team players to those with big egos. They are all there and all a pleasure to see. I am sure that each has learned something on this opportunity that usually only comes around once. From the posh 5 star boutique hotel to the functional trailer here at Athletes' Village. I will not miss the security check everytime you enter a secure area and especially the manual check as we come into the Village from the trailer. They probably won't miss it either. Even the bus drivers have been amazing and some have tales to share with you - sometimes you go all the way to Whistler (15minutes) in a bus all by yourself....rather a big limo don't you think? They are pretty good guys and most really enjoy the people that they pick up. So the experience has touched many people in many ways. How is the contribution to breaking down barriers in this world? Anyways it's been fun!!!

Olympics and Paralympics

I have been meaning to write for so long. First of all, a week at home (sick for a few days - very unlike me) and then no connection here at the Paralympics. But the intensity of the emotions and feelings and experiences are so fleeting that I would like to write something before it becomes too far in the past and I can forget what I experienced. The experience of some moments are so intense and certainly not at all programmed - I love living it. Lots of moments have been quite boring, some exciting, some interesting, some annoying and some like today so absolutley moving. Sometimes it feels like I am travelling and yet staying in one spot. I have had conversations and met all sorts of interesting people and observed lots. Feelings come and go and it is always amazing what I experience - and don't plan. It just happens and wow! I especially enjoy chance encounters and sometimes there are more of those when you are on your own. ....so back to where I left off last time and of course it becomes more synoptic the further into the past that I remember.

....back to the Olympics after the night of sledders being so supportive of each other I then spent an evening in doping with the bobsled team winners (we test one from each sled of the top 5 and then 3 random). The American had won a bronze and when I asked her how she was going to celebrate after doping she said that she was following her schedule - a pickup at midnight to arrive in Vancouver for a 4am taping of the Morning America show that would broadcast live in Eastern America in the morning. The Canadians were gold and silver. One sat texting in the doping station and the other sat quietly. It was pretty quiet - quite unlike the comraderie of the skeleton and luge racers. Some of them showed us their shoes and talked about their sleds, etc. Someone said that the two Canadians had once been team mates and now were on different sleds. Whatever the reason it was quiet and there was no sharing.

I managed to "watch" a hockey match with Canada playing in the semi-finals at the bar next door to Nita Lodge. Locals and internationals were crammed in. We waited to get in and then two of us got in. I loved the enthusiasm at the sports bar. It was nuts with noise. The female proprietor was so careful with numbers in the bar as apparently 8 extra liquor inspectators were hired for the Olympics and they could be shut down if there were too many patrons.

I went skiing on the final Sunday of the Olympics and yes Canada was playing USA in the finals and Blue Rodeo was playing in Whistler Live (on the stroll in Whistler Village ie in the street). I skiied and it was like being blind for most of the morning. I nearly quit as I could not tell if I was going up or down. Then I decided to enjoy the challenge of having my legs react and staying on easy slopes. Then my frustration changed to pleasure. I went in for lunch and lots of people were getting ready to watch the game. I went out and came back in to see how it was going. My goodness, the lodge at the top of the mountain was ricocheting with the cheering. It was amazing as the overtime goal went in. Then I skiied down to the Village and yes, I quit early and walked down the street with my skis so that I could listen to the concert in the street. Thousands of people wandering and listening and all excited with the hockey win. The energy of the crowds, the flags flying, faces painted and such a good family time. Everyone was so positive (as all through the Olympics) - all the positive energy of the crowds as the whole world seemed to come together. What a showcase for Whistler - it has a warm space for me as a place having been here all through the Olympics.

Then on to home for a week - though I did not feel great for a few days. Still I managed to catch up with a few people and spend some precious time with precious people. I stayed home 3 extra days as I wanted the time at home and I did not want any more time being retrained for what we already know. So with the bosses not happen with my decision in the end they could not force me to return when they wished. It was a good thing that I missed the training as it was a total repeat of what we already knew - I guess that they can still read slides to us as part of the training.

I knew that returning would probably be a letdown after our wonderful accommodation at the Olympics but hey a clean bed and an ensuite - that's all you need, right? I arrived at midnight and the bus from Whistler to the Village was not appearing. Eventually I discovered that the bus was there all along, I would be the only passenger and the driver was sleeping in his 'closed' bus. Anyways I made it. The accommodation is in big trailers - clean, functional and basic. I realized yet again that I really like the room when the sun shines in or when I go across the hall and see the trees outside. That makes a difference. ....no TV, no internet, no fireplace, no big tub, no big window but still a space for me and my stuff and kind of nice. A good light to read at night, a thermostat and hot water in the clean shower.
The food is really very good - I just don't like the 'grey' noise caused by all of the ducts. I meet some very interesting people sometimes when in the dining tent...as well as lots of other places.

I worked - not just put in the time for 3 days. We were looking for athletes in the village and the IPC has been so good at providing the address of all of the athletes....much faster than the Olympic group. So we go to find an atlete and they are now pretty easy to find. Also these athletes are so helpful at finding them for you if they are not in their room. Though we do not divulge the name of the person that we are looking for - sometimes they have a good idea (there are not that many) and they are so friendly and helpful. These athletes are absolutely amazing people and so many of them exude a real joy. Their spirits and smiles are so heartwarming. And then you learn something of their story. So many with such patience... I guess that they must learn some of that because they have to depend on the help of others to get through each day. This has touched me time and time again. It brings tears to my eyes to see the strength, courage, determination and perserverance that I see in so many of them. I see how they care for each other and how they are so willing to share with people like me. By the time I do the doping test, I would usually feel like I could hug each of them. Instead I shake their hand, wish them well and tell them how I admire them and thank them if they shared some of their story.

The American who skis and got a gold in Beijing in wheelchair basketball. She became paraplegic after a snowboarding accident. She tells that she is a bit of a risk taker and so chose to take up ski racing a couple of years ago. She told me that new doors opened as a result of her accident - successful elite sports. ...how to make lemonade from lemons.... Lots of these athletes have lost limbs due to cancer or accidents; paraplegics may have been in sports accidents. A volunteer Christian gal in the prayer room whom I talked to at dinner became a paraplegic after diving into shallow water. Josh who won silver today in the seated slalom ski lost the use of his legs when training for acrobatic snowboarding at an elite level.

Lots have vision impairment - 3 categories in the Paralympics depending upon how much they can see - totally blind and then two categories of vison - it seems some have a narrow bit of vision on the side on a narrow bit in the centre or some can see the outline of shapes. These skiers have a guide. I watched and tested the alpine events today - seated, standing (but not 4 limbs) and vision impaired were the categories today. I spoke with guides and vision impaired athletes and learned that they each have a microphone and earpiece in their helmet to get instructions about the course that they are racing. The trust that the impaired person must have in the seeing person boggles my mind. It seems that most of the guides were elite skiers before they took up this kind of racing. This is a way to race after their own racing was about done. It seems in Canada that you would have to be at least a provincial racer and in the case of the Spanaird they have been a pair for 8 years professionally. Prior to that the sighted person was on the national Spanish team. One Canadian gal has only been with her guide `15 months and this second guide of hers is now pregnant (same as the first one). Some females have male guides and not all are young. One of the skiers told me today that in the downhill that they can go over 100km/hr. How you guide someone at those speeds is beyond my comprehension.

I went to the Medals ceremony tonight after testing the athletes today. Because we were so many DCO's and chaperones we shared the testing. So that meant that if I was not doing the testing that I sometimes had to sit in the room instead of the chaperone (the boring part for the chaperone). So that meant that I had tested a fair number of the athletes on the podium tonight either today or randomly in the past few days. It was very moving for me to be there. The athletes were just so joyous and they clearly showed that to the crowd of I would guess 1,000???people. They posed for the cameras, shook hands and enjoyed the moments of glory. It was beautiful with the usual enthusiastic Whistler crowd, the anthems, flags, snow flakes falling, the Paralympic flame, trees in white lights still decorated in the background and a clock tower somewhere in the background. It was magical especially with the snow all evening. After it was all over and a band was playing and people dispersing there were the Mounties getting photos with lots of people. A few athletes wandered around the medals plaza. I congratulated a couple of them. I hugged the Spanish doctor whom I had met twice in the doping station. Then I hugged and congratulated the parents of the blind Spanish athlete and then the doctor got the athletes and I hugged them. I was in tears - such a wonderful moment for them.

During the medals there was an athlete from Belarus that I had tested. Only a few feet from me was her coach - an elderly gentleman fairly large with tears below his eyes. I had to give him a hug too. It was just such a moment. The gal on the stage was loving the glory and her spirit touched so many of us.

I had gone to the Medals Plaza alone. Seven of us I thought were going but I had confused the Village as Whistler Village and they were going to the Athletes' Village. So I jumped out of the car at the intersection and jumped onto the bus to Whistler Village. I am so glad that I did. It was a moving evening after testing so many of the athletes and feeling such a connection to them. By being alone it allowed me to linger and watch as the band played and the crowd changed. I had no agenda except to savour the moment and my feelings.

Like the other day, a chaperone spent time with an athlete and when they saw each other again (in the athletes' cafeteria where we were looking for another athlete)the athlete stopped and spent 5 minutes chatting to this lady. Now that is not what I usually expect but that girl (from Iceland - the only athlete from Iceland and training in the US) took the time and obviously felt some connection. What I have seen and felt is this connection that so many of these amazing happy individuals seem to create or allow to happen.

So I have had some amazing experiences. Even tonight I had dinner with an interesting couple - travelled the world with CEDA - so Chinese leaving China in 1959 to Hong Kong and eventually to Canada as an au-pere at 21 to support the family in Hong Kong. They risked everything getting out of China. This pm I chatted with a couple who I have spoken to quite a bit. Today I learned that they spent 5 years sailing around the world in their youth. Yesterday I had lunch with someone who practises yoga as a spiritual practice and the day before the gal who had her story of Christ being her raison d'etre. Even the bus driver can tell me what it is like to live on the ship and have a roomate who snores. So many interesting things in a day. Aren't I lucky?

These Paralympic games have given me some 'food for thought'. For that, I am thankful - to enjoy so many feelings as they run through my body and to be able to think of friends and family and how important they are to me even though I choose to be away.