Watch CTV at noon on Sunday Feb 28

A Paralympic Preview is airing on CTV around noon today!

The Difference Makers (a post by Todd)

Hello everyone
Well, it’s finally here. It seems like only yesterday that Canada was awarded the bid to host the 2010 Winter Games. The last 6 years have flown by and as I get ready to leave to play in the games again this year I can only think back to everyone that has helped me get to where I am today.

For those that have been watching The Games, there is a program called “The Difference Makers, with Rick Hanson”. I wanted to be able to share with everyone my difference makers that have helped me get to where I am.

Chowder Cup to Vancouver or bust!!!

Well, this is my first entry into the blog before we head to Vancouver and I wanted to tell everyone about a different side of the Paralympic Games. This will be my third Paralympic games as a spectator - sure it was great to see our Canadian Sledge Hockey team win Gold in 2006, but there is more to the Games than the medals won.

Todd's Guardian Angels

Todd goes on a lot of school visits and has probably spoken to tens of thousands of school children over the years, but the school that has gone over the top with their support time and time again has been Guardian Angels Catholic School in Stittsville. Our sister-in-law and two of the littlest Nicholson Boys had the opportunity to go to a pep rally they had last week for Todd. Jolene remarked, "You should have seen the incredible work, preparation and amazing effort that they put into this assembly".

Two of the smallest Nicholsons posing
in front of Guardian Angels' show of love.

Todd has visited Guardian Angels several times over the past four or five years and they have always opened their arms to him with tremendous caring and support. Thanks, Guardian Angels!

Jenn

An Honour of their Own

We are all ecstatic about our Olympic and Paralympic athletes who are representing Canada, but we should also remember the folks behind the scenes. Or in this case, the ones on the scene - the much-loved, often-heckled Refs.

Believe it!!!

From the outset, the tagline in the media and on the VANOC site has been "The Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games". This is very promising for those who have struggled to find live coverage of the games over the years, but sort of a "believe it when we see it" feeling. Now that the Olympics are underway and the sponsors' advertising has hit our television screens, all I can think is, "It's really happening!!!"

Red Mitts

For those on the hunt for the famous Red Mitts and not having much luck... Lianne was in Maple Ridge/Coquitlam/Whistler, B.C. this past week and found a sea of red:

2010 Carp Winter Classic

The Sledge Hockey team are in town this week, and spent an evening in Carp last night. The Carp Agricultural Society hosted a Meet and Greet in the Carp Ag Hall from 5 to 7pm, where a couple hundred people mingled with Team Canada players. Sumi, one of the Vancouver 2010 mascots, was even on hand to spread the spirit of the Games. At 7:30pm, the players took to the outdoor arena to play a 4-on-4 Red & White game. A huge crowd, two people deep, lined the boards all the way around and were amazed at the athleticism of the Team. Judging by the smiles on their faces, the players were having fun, some even enjoying their first skate on outdoor ice. Welcome to Carp!

Prologue - Begin from the Beginning

The last time we were in Vancouver, we took our then 2 year old son, Tyler, up to Whistler and rode the gondola to the top of the hill. It was a sunny March day and the locals even commented on how perfect it was. With 100% visibility and clear blue skies, we stood Tyler in his little Canada flag hat in front of the Vancouver 2010 flag at the top of Whistler and snapped a picture. Vancouver was a strong contender for the 2010 Winter Games, Whistler was abuzz with hope and excitement, and, four months later, they won the bid. Vancouver 2010 was born, and a few months after that, Tyler's little sister, Erin, was, too.

Tyler, age 2, at the top of Whistler in 2003, a few
months before Vancouver won the bid for the 2010 Games.