Paralympic Games Vancouver

My niece Callie, is participating in the closing ceremony! She is going to be on a sit ski and her father will be right at her side. She came into this world 1 lb 4.3 ounces but she has a mighty spirit, designed to battle through and we are blessed to know her. That infectious smile warms everyone that comes in contact with her and though she can’t communicate verbally she is expressive in so many other ways. Just like any other little child she has friends she has met at school and her cerebral palsy has not stopped her from trying horseback riding, swimming and skiing.

Callie was recently featured in the Variety Clubs Lotto pamphlet with the customized van that was donated to my sister and her husband. This is a such a good organization and we can’t thank them enough for all that they do for families everywhere. Callie is making her mark already in this world in large part to the hard work of her parents but also because of organizations such as Variety. I want to focus on the remarkable gifts that come from knowing children like Callie and the many people who make it possible for them to participate in life in a way the rest of us take for granted.

Callie’s Van

These Paralympians, know this. Not to take anything for granted. I see the value in supporting the organizations who assist children and adults to participate in sport, no matter what their ability level is. There have been many miracles and we truly still don’t know what the human body and brain can accomplish until examples are brought forth such as these. Callie is a symbol of that to me. I don’t know yet what she may say about what she has done in her short years with us, but I bet when she gets to finally communicate she’ll have a lot to share. One of those stories will be the day she sat on a sit ski and sailed down a slope for the Paralympic Closing Ceremony, Vancouver 2010.

Each night since the earthquake hit I found myself, as I climbed into bed, silently realizing how lucky I truly am. I thought about the thousands of people who were going through another night wandering the dark streets, with no food, water or anything else but the clothes on their back. No comfortable bed like I was about to lay down in, no partner to hold or child to kiss goodnight.

If I was in that place, life would look so different and I might have this to share with you:

There is no job for me to go to, call to make, no distractions to shift reality or entertainment to use as an escape. No chance to call a friend or text with trivial updates. What I wear is no longer important, who I am and what I believe is inconsequential. I can vote for nothing and my money (if I have any) barely will help my cause. My safety from dawn to dusk keeps me in a constant state of stress. I am tired but I am afraid to sleep. I have nothing left as my world struggles to be rebuilt from the rubble around me. I’ve never seen anything like it and I don’t want to see anymore.

This is something that most of us will never know, thankfully this suffering may never touch our lives. However, nothing is certain and it is important that when such tragedies befall our fellow world citizens that we not lose sight of the mission.

The mission is to find a way to ease the pain, provide the necessary support in whatever way we can. To not forget at the end and beginning of each day that what we do can impact positively or negatively anyone or anything. We can provide money and aid which is so vitally needed but we must also know that this will be ongoing. It is hard in a world where there are so many who “need” and a small few who have so much power and money that could easily change the course of their lives.

Right now we raise money to erect statues in honor of people who have long since left our midst or give statues to recognize people who are only doing their jobs. Their contribution was greatly appreciated but we could have used the money for a greater purpose, one that may better represent what they stood for in the first place. We build buildings for ourselves to house so much of the benefits of being wealthy when others live in cardboard boxes. We care so much about a designer that we spend what would be someone’s yearly salary on a handbag to carry our money and beauty products. The food we throw away in one week often would feed a family. The complaints we have about our government and how they are not listening to our wants or recognizing our special interests is nothing to worry about in comparison to no honorable government at all.

I hold up hope for Haiti and all the other people who try to rebuild their lives despite natures wrath and/or man-made destruction. It is also my hope that we don’t forget that we are all one event away from such horror and all that you see around you right now will be meaningless. Only your life and your loved ones will matter in the hours and days following.

Donate to the Red Cross or any other reputable organization.

Canadian Red Cross

After watching BCTV Global news tonight we were introduced to a young woman Eva, who has Cystic Fibrosis and is currently awaiting an organ donation. She was inspiring, bright in spirit, supported by family, beautiful as she shared her story and breathing at a 15% lung capacity.

It is hard to see people suffer needlessly, especially since we could give the gift of life when it is our time to leave this earth. Nothing is more precious than life itself but tragically, as Eva well noted, a gain for her of a donation is a loss for someone else.  However, beyond the deep grief we experience at the death of a loved one there is opportunity for us/them to live on.  No loss when our lungs inhale and exhale for another, no loss when our heart beats as strongly, no loss when through a corneal transplant someone sees the world in all its magnificence yet again.

I ask you to consider finding out how you can become an organ donor and let your family know of your wishes. A life is saved, that is the greatest gift you could ever give.

BC Transplant

Organ Donations

65 Red Roses Eva Journal

Have you ever recognized how much we all complain? Recently, I read an article that was touching on the very topic of complaining it was entitled The Kvetch Klatch by Amy Baskin in the November issue of Canada’s More Magazine. It explored the possibility that as we get older we may complain more and want to gather with others to commiserate.

There was some good news about our getting together to air our complaints, apparently it can be good for you to complain with people of like age and life situations according to Robin Kowalski, a psychologist who studies complaining (who knew you could study it and be paid?). “We feel validated, get good advice” and socially it brings people together. (Providing, I guess, you have something better to talk about from time to time otherwise you may just clear a room) There is more to this but I’m not going to rehash everything this woman wrote, I suggest you read the article for yourself.

Last night, again watching my Andy Rooney segment on 60 Minutes, he addressed viewers that accused him of being negative, complaining too much, that is part of his job isn’t it? He proceeded with a great little piece in which he positively enhanced negatives. Maybe that helped all those that felt he complains too much sleep a little easier, though I doubt it. After watching I’m sure they were complaining about his negativity.

I come from a long line of complainers, it is guaranteed that a conversation with my family will get bogged down in complaints and negativity. At times I interject when it is getting too much with something lighter, a humorous quip or just simply tune out the bulk of what is being said. That is not always good when you are to respond, and well…I kinda wasn’t listening. A good laugh eventually is had but still the negativity and complaints are really some of my family members claim to fame. Maybe they should have their own show, but make it 30 Minutes, less commercials which really makes it the 10 Minute show. (but, whose complaining, certainly not me)

When I complain I don’t expect anyone to fix it, it’s not necessary to fix my problem just to air it. Being truthful in the moment, complaining to my hearts content is therapeutic. It is true that going to people of like mind or understanding is far more helpful. My friends and I have the ability to complain for over an hour on the phone or in person and think nothing of it by the time we are finished. A few laughs, compassion, understanding, thoughtful suggestions, no overpowering judgement and good advice usually lightens the load.

I liken complaints, when discussed with others, as something that needs gentle pressure. Kind of like when you have a knot in the muscle and you just hold your fingers on that tension, pushing with just a little firmness makes it back off. You are released! I see this all the time in my work, people who for the most part have legitimate reasons to complain but just being heard opens the space for movement in the right direction.

It is good to complain, not all the time, but just enough to make forward progress on an issue. Some people are great at it and their complaining can be quite entertaining, providing real food for thought. If someone is an energy drainer than take in as much as you can with your ears and don’t expect to fix it with your mouth. Go to someone in your life or a group of people that can truly see it for what it is, and don’t think you are above this because there is always a reason to complain…just ask Andy Rooney.

Andy Rooney Not Negative

However, Stephane Richer and Marie-France Dubreuil had my vote and heart for quite awhile. I loved the two of them together and couldn’t believe the elegance and skating chemistry they both had. Craig Simpson and Jamie Sale (the winners) really pulled out all the stops in their last performance and well, maybe too he holds a little more in the popularity contest but they did excellent! That is what made this a good show, it was hard to pick a winner right up until the last day.

I do hope this gets picked up for a second season, CBC has a hit in this. So, all you NHL players take a look at what these guys accomplished for themselves and for charity. Leave the egos behind and switch the skates. It is time to bring both of the superior athletes of figure skating and hockey into the limelight in whole new way. Good on each of the pairs for participating! Let us not forget the charities they are contributing to, maybe pick one and send a donation in honor of your favourite pair!

Battle of the Blades