If you look to the right margin you will notice that I have established a 'blogging group' which is representing the different areas of expertise within the house. Joan is a peer volunteer and she works every Friday night. The other bloggers are not real people...yet. It is my hope that we can get regular contributions that will share different perspectives from the people who work at the house. I have thought about it before but it was an email from Meyrick Jones (http://meyrickjones.blogspot.com/ ) that provided the impetus to actually do something about it. Thank you Meyrick!
I am hopeful that we will get a good response to the idea!
Tuesday, 27 January 2009
Monday, 26 January 2009
Hello!
Hey everyone,
I'm Joan and I'm a peer volunteer at Canuck Place every Friday night; I get to spend every other shift with Malcolm, who has invited me to become a contributor to this blog! I am honoured.
Look forward to awesome posts by me - I will try to post after every shift. Actually, it might be a good plan that Malcolm and I post on alternate fridays - Malcolm after his shifts, and I after the shifts that Malcolm wasn't there for. yay!
I'm Joan and I'm a peer volunteer at Canuck Place every Friday night; I get to spend every other shift with Malcolm, who has invited me to become a contributor to this blog! I am honoured.
Look forward to awesome posts by me - I will try to post after every shift. Actually, it might be a good plan that Malcolm and I post on alternate fridays - Malcolm after his shifts, and I after the shifts that Malcolm wasn't there for. yay!
Jen and Stel's Blog
Sebastian's mum Jen has been blogging for a while about their triumphs and setbacks as a growing family. Please find her blog here http://jenandstel.blogspot.com/
It is another perspective that puts faces to the lives, and deaths, of Canuck Place.
Thank you Jen.
It is another perspective that puts faces to the lives, and deaths, of Canuck Place.
Thank you Jen.
Sunday, 25 January 2009
Friday night at the House
After 6 weeks of not being the house it was nice to be back! Met my new Friday night partner Steve and Joan was, as always, here on Friday night. Joan has become the new Kyle the only difference being that she can't eat as much as Kyle could.
Dinner was awesome tonight!
There was a ton of people at dinner. One little boy, who I'll call Normie, had his whole family: aunts, uncles, cousins, brothers, sisters, and Grannie! The neat thing about this is that after dinner I went into the Playroom/tv room and they were ALL in there talking, playing table hockey...and there was tons of room. Little Normie was waiting patiently for the X-box to be set up...yes...even 3 year olds like to rock it out at times.
Normie is in a little makeshift comfy rolling chair. It is an old lounging chair that has been adapted into a wheel chair! Normie was so happy playing the drums...ok...holding the drum sticks! His mum and I tapped the right drums for him! Joan rocked on lead guitar.
All this time Steve was up on the Kid's floor snuggling with Mira. That was his job that tonight. He also had a bit of a nap. One of the perks you get when you are sitting in a comfy chair with a sleeping toddler. Mira's mum and dad (and little sister) are also in the house. Mum and Dad used Steve's high cuddle proficiency to get some time to watch a show on TV.
Corrine is a young teen with not much verbal communication. She is pretty good at one word missives and grunts and shakes of the head. I don't think she likes me!!! Joan was hanging with her in the school room and she was grooving (and singing) to videos. I started to talk to Corrine (in between videos) and she was getting upset. "no!", "bed!", "No!"...finally, "Do you want me to go away?"..."Yes!"
She and Joan continued to watch and sing with music videos....I scooted back to the other side of the room!
There were a couple other girls in the house. They were with their families too.
I think tonight, more than any other night, it struck me that the house is really a family house. Nobody in the house was without their family tonight. When kids are without their blood relatives there are awesome alternatives who get to step in.
I like being a part of this whole business!
Dinner was awesome tonight!
There was a ton of people at dinner. One little boy, who I'll call Normie, had his whole family: aunts, uncles, cousins, brothers, sisters, and Grannie! The neat thing about this is that after dinner I went into the Playroom/tv room and they were ALL in there talking, playing table hockey...and there was tons of room. Little Normie was waiting patiently for the X-box to be set up...yes...even 3 year olds like to rock it out at times.
Normie is in a little makeshift comfy rolling chair. It is an old lounging chair that has been adapted into a wheel chair! Normie was so happy playing the drums...ok...holding the drum sticks! His mum and I tapped the right drums for him! Joan rocked on lead guitar.
All this time Steve was up on the Kid's floor snuggling with Mira. That was his job that tonight. He also had a bit of a nap. One of the perks you get when you are sitting in a comfy chair with a sleeping toddler. Mira's mum and dad (and little sister) are also in the house. Mum and Dad used Steve's high cuddle proficiency to get some time to watch a show on TV.
Corrine is a young teen with not much verbal communication. She is pretty good at one word missives and grunts and shakes of the head. I don't think she likes me!!! Joan was hanging with her in the school room and she was grooving (and singing) to videos. I started to talk to Corrine (in between videos) and she was getting upset. "no!", "bed!", "No!"...finally, "Do you want me to go away?"..."Yes!"
She and Joan continued to watch and sing with music videos....I scooted back to the other side of the room!
There were a couple other girls in the house. They were with their families too.
I think tonight, more than any other night, it struck me that the house is really a family house. Nobody in the house was without their family tonight. When kids are without their blood relatives there are awesome alternatives who get to step in.
I like being a part of this whole business!
Wednesday, 21 January 2009
Sebastian
After this mornings post we received a note about Sebastian:
Dear Volunteers:
It's with great sadness that I share the news of Sebastian G. passing away
at 11:35 am this morning. It was very peaceful and Mom and Dad were there
with him.
Please take care of yourselves and each other.
Leanne
Dear Volunteers:
It's with great sadness that I share the news of Sebastian G. passing away
at 11:35 am this morning. It was very peaceful and Mom and Dad were there
with him.
Please take care of yourselves and each other.
Leanne
Friday
Looking forward to getting to the house this Friday. It has been over a month! The morning of my last shift I woke up with my uvula hanging like a swollen speedbag that had been punched at all night. Called in sick. There are enough bugs out there that the kids don't need me bringing them directly to them.
I am looking forward to seeing Sebastian and his parents. They have been at the house for 6 weeks straight. Sebastian hasn't been feeling well since the last time I was there. He is a tough kid (aren't they all?) and the family even more so. They had the big old house all to themselves over christmas.
I am looking forward to seeing Sebastian and his parents. They have been at the house for 6 weeks straight. Sebastian hasn't been feeling well since the last time I was there. He is a tough kid (aren't they all?) and the family even more so. They had the big old house all to themselves over christmas.
Saturday, 13 December 2008
Boyz to Men
It has been a while since I was at the house. I have been switched from one Friday to another. I have been doing Friday nights with Tony for 4 years now and will now be working with another family volunteer.
I ended the night with the neatest conversation with a couple of the boys in the house. There is Jason who turned 19 in May and Brent who is seventeen. This was Jason's last weekend of respite care and then he officially graduates from the program. So what is next? That's when the talk got really neat. There is nothing like Canuck Place once you are an adult. There are few options...long term care (aka old folks home), full time nurse, or maintain status quo with your family. These guys would truly love a little independence and one of the ideas they had was to buy a house or large apartment and hire full time care. Of course they were pretty aware of the fact that it could cost as much as 2 -3 million to start a venture like this...but in their minds they had already formed a non-profit society (aligned with Canuck Place) and felt they could get the funds in place! They envision a place with 5 rooms, fully modified for chairs, hygiene and basic care. There would be 24hr care on hand. This would be their legacy to Canuck Place graduates and as a bed opens up in the house because somebody has moved onto bigger and better things...bang...the spot is filled!
When you have been in the care of your family for your whole life and you reach the age of majority a little independence is warranted. I also get the feeling that these guys realise how much effort their families have put into caring for them. Maybe their ideas tonight will never come to fruition. Perhaps the funds are too out of reach.
What I learnt tonight was that Jason and Brent will live their lives way beyond most people's expectations. Like all of us they make plans for their future. Being part of a hospice program doesn't phase them.
I said to Brent I can imagine the first purchase they would make is a case of beer. Not that they would drink it...just that it would seem the right thing to do. Brent replies that it wouldn't take much him being all of 20kg!
Guess what we did for the first 3 hours of the shift?
Rock Band! Jason had the best line of the night. He feels that X-Box 360 and RockBand should be covered under medical therapy. Jason has a reduced lung capacity because of muscular dystrophy. Part of his therapy has been to blow bubbles into a device; exercises to keep his diaphragm and intercostal muscles as active as possible. Singing does the same thing! Jason rocked out a few songs. Until you get out there and sing you don't realise how tiring it can be!
I ended the night with the neatest conversation with a couple of the boys in the house. There is Jason who turned 19 in May and Brent who is seventeen. This was Jason's last weekend of respite care and then he officially graduates from the program. So what is next? That's when the talk got really neat. There is nothing like Canuck Place once you are an adult. There are few options...long term care (aka old folks home), full time nurse, or maintain status quo with your family. These guys would truly love a little independence and one of the ideas they had was to buy a house or large apartment and hire full time care. Of course they were pretty aware of the fact that it could cost as much as 2 -3 million to start a venture like this...but in their minds they had already formed a non-profit society (aligned with Canuck Place) and felt they could get the funds in place! They envision a place with 5 rooms, fully modified for chairs, hygiene and basic care. There would be 24hr care on hand. This would be their legacy to Canuck Place graduates and as a bed opens up in the house because somebody has moved onto bigger and better things...bang...the spot is filled!
When you have been in the care of your family for your whole life and you reach the age of majority a little independence is warranted. I also get the feeling that these guys realise how much effort their families have put into caring for them. Maybe their ideas tonight will never come to fruition. Perhaps the funds are too out of reach.
What I learnt tonight was that Jason and Brent will live their lives way beyond most people's expectations. Like all of us they make plans for their future. Being part of a hospice program doesn't phase them.
I said to Brent I can imagine the first purchase they would make is a case of beer. Not that they would drink it...just that it would seem the right thing to do. Brent replies that it wouldn't take much him being all of 20kg!
Guess what we did for the first 3 hours of the shift?
Rock Band! Jason had the best line of the night. He feels that X-Box 360 and RockBand should be covered under medical therapy. Jason has a reduced lung capacity because of muscular dystrophy. Part of his therapy has been to blow bubbles into a device; exercises to keep his diaphragm and intercostal muscles as active as possible. Singing does the same thing! Jason rocked out a few songs. Until you get out there and sing you don't realise how tiring it can be!
Friday, 5 December 2008
gift of time
wow...the numbers for gift of time were astounding....over $750 000 . wow and thank you!
Monday, 24 November 2008
Radiohead + Creep + Me + Jeffrey = 97%
I tell you. This Rockband game is da bomb! Cut to the chase: Jeffrey and I had the game to ourselves for a few songs and we nailed Creep by Radiohead. I was on 'expert' in case you were wondering.
Jeffery has become one of my followers along with Joan. That sounds a bit creepy. No Kool-Aid to be served.
Meat and potatoes for dinner. I managed to put a rather tough piece of meat into Jeffrey's mouth. He was taking forever to get it down. I told him he had NO CHOICE but to swallow it because I wasn't going to deal with the 'spit it out into a napkin' plan. So I just kept giving him some of the creamy potatoes and juice to help it slide on down. He eventually got through the piece!
Quiet night tonight: Jeffrey was in, a girl I have not met before was in with her family. Sandy got us going with the Rockband and we played a number of songs. This game is absolutely addictive. Every other thursday I run a 'meeting'in my classroom. Very fun.
Jeffrey played guitar, Sandy played drums, Joan played base and I sang my heart out.
When we finally go a bit tired we made our way upstairs and explored on the computers. Sandy was with her family for most of the time after that.
Turns out that Jeffrey can barely read the screen of a computer. This boy needs his eyes checked. Next time I see him I hope that he is wearing some new eye candy.
Jeffery has become one of my followers along with Joan. That sounds a bit creepy. No Kool-Aid to be served.
Meat and potatoes for dinner. I managed to put a rather tough piece of meat into Jeffrey's mouth. He was taking forever to get it down. I told him he had NO CHOICE but to swallow it because I wasn't going to deal with the 'spit it out into a napkin' plan. So I just kept giving him some of the creamy potatoes and juice to help it slide on down. He eventually got through the piece!
Quiet night tonight: Jeffrey was in, a girl I have not met before was in with her family. Sandy got us going with the Rockband and we played a number of songs. This game is absolutely addictive. Every other thursday I run a 'meeting'in my classroom. Very fun.
Jeffrey played guitar, Sandy played drums, Joan played base and I sang my heart out.
When we finally go a bit tired we made our way upstairs and explored on the computers. Sandy was with her family for most of the time after that.
Turns out that Jeffrey can barely read the screen of a computer. This boy needs his eyes checked. Next time I see him I hope that he is wearing some new eye candy.
Wednesday, 12 November 2008
sitemeter
http://www.sitemeter.com/
holy crap! I thought that the google application that keeps track of the number of visits to your site was cool. not so!
Sitemeter tells you things like who referred the visit...so if you 'google search' something about canuck place and you happen to see the link to my page and click on it...sitemeter will show me that. cool!
of course it is all about vanity...but that is ok.
ps...click on the thing that says 'followers'. then i know who you are (of the 13 that have the rss feed)!!
holy crap! I thought that the google application that keeps track of the number of visits to your site was cool. not so!
Sitemeter tells you things like who referred the visit...so if you 'google search' something about canuck place and you happen to see the link to my page and click on it...sitemeter will show me that. cool!
of course it is all about vanity...but that is ok.
ps...click on the thing that says 'followers'. then i know who you are (of the 13 that have the rss feed)!!
Saturday, 8 November 2008
Raffi and Me
I have a penchant for singing Raffi songs. My kids grew up on Raffi and I remember singing Raffi songs for a number of years. I think I sing in the key of Raffi. Raffi has a wonderful website:
http://www.raffinews.com/
As remarkable as it seems he has been doing this for over 40 years. His focus now is one of sustainablity and of honouring the child. He is still teaching fortysomethings to be good stewards of our earth and to each other, so that they can teach their children.
Last night all I did was sing. Sing and colour. Colour and sing. Raffi tapes were lined up in the art room, Jesse (a 6 year old girl whose baby brother is in the house), Chancy (who is also about 5 or 6) was beside me playing floppy head, Tony, Joan, and me were all doing what we do best: hanging out. No TV, no rockband, no computer....just me and Raffi (and everyone else).
I think we did this for about 2.5 hours. Tony had no idea I knew so many Raffi songs.
Go to Raffi's site. I was not at all surprised to see the direction he has taken with his work. He always sounded like a real nice guy when he sang for me and my kids. Turns out he is!
As remarkable as it seems he has been doing this for over 40 years. His focus now is one of sustainablity and of honouring the child. He is still teaching fortysomethings to be good stewards of our earth and to each other, so that they can teach their children.
Last night all I did was sing. Sing and colour. Colour and sing. Raffi tapes were lined up in the art room, Jesse (a 6 year old girl whose baby brother is in the house), Chancy (who is also about 5 or 6) was beside me playing floppy head, Tony, Joan, and me were all doing what we do best: hanging out. No TV, no rockband, no computer....just me and Raffi (and everyone else).
I think we did this for about 2.5 hours. Tony had no idea I knew so many Raffi songs.
Go to Raffi's site. I was not at all surprised to see the direction he has taken with his work. He always sounded like a real nice guy when he sang for me and my kids. Turns out he is!
Saturday, 25 October 2008
Boy's Night Out
More accurately put Boy's Night In but it appeared to be full of as much debauchery as could be: loud music, swearing, false accusations, falling out of wheelchairs, high fives, and the oddest event of the night being the whole crew sitting around the poker table watching a little Sing With Me Elmo doll sing "Shout". Not proud of that, but there is a really good reason for it.
In the House tonight for boys teen night are rod, liam, kenny, randy, saul, and jeffrey.
I was early and half the crew were in the TV room doing the Rock Band video game. I love that game. I can't sing, or play the drums but I can't help myself...I love the sound of my bad voice and I know others like it too. A couple of hellos, a couple of songs, and then off to dinner.
Awesome pasta!
Back to the TV room and a couple more songs until Poker Time.
Poker is a very high class game and must be played in the high class room: the Great Room. One day I will have to run through the house with my camera and do a bit of a show and tell. It is a beautiful house. Yours truly got to deal for Texas Hold 'Em. I don't know anything about poker, but am know well versed in the Burn and Turn, the flop, the turn and the river.
One of the prizes that went into the pot during a game of 21 was a dancing Elmo doll who sings shout. With his squeaky little voice at the end of his dance Elmo proclaims "oh boy! You really want to make Elmo SHIT!" Every time Elmo spoke the word 'shout' it comes out 'shit'! It had to be the funniest thing to happen all night....other than the time Kenny was doing a wheel stand in his chair. I was dealing and I could see him rocking back in his chair....he was holding it and had a big Elmo Shouting grin on his face...and then he started to go backwards. It was all in slow motion and he still had the Elmo Shouting grin on his face as I leapt across the room only to end up standing over him and laughing my ass off. It was the funniest thing to watch! Good thing it was on the carpet because he smacked the floor pretty good.
After poker Liam kept egging me on to go sing while he does guitar. We got Saul on the drums.
I like that game. Need one in my classroom.
In the House tonight for boys teen night are rod, liam, kenny, randy, saul, and jeffrey.
I was early and half the crew were in the TV room doing the Rock Band video game. I love that game. I can't sing, or play the drums but I can't help myself...I love the sound of my bad voice and I know others like it too. A couple of hellos, a couple of songs, and then off to dinner.
Awesome pasta!
Back to the TV room and a couple more songs until Poker Time.
Poker is a very high class game and must be played in the high class room: the Great Room. One day I will have to run through the house with my camera and do a bit of a show and tell. It is a beautiful house. Yours truly got to deal for Texas Hold 'Em. I don't know anything about poker, but am know well versed in the Burn and Turn, the flop, the turn and the river.
One of the prizes that went into the pot during a game of 21 was a dancing Elmo doll who sings shout. With his squeaky little voice at the end of his dance Elmo proclaims "oh boy! You really want to make Elmo SHIT!" Every time Elmo spoke the word 'shout' it comes out 'shit'! It had to be the funniest thing to happen all night....other than the time Kenny was doing a wheel stand in his chair. I was dealing and I could see him rocking back in his chair....he was holding it and had a big Elmo Shouting grin on his face...and then he started to go backwards. It was all in slow motion and he still had the Elmo Shouting grin on his face as I leapt across the room only to end up standing over him and laughing my ass off. It was the funniest thing to watch! Good thing it was on the carpet because he smacked the floor pretty good.
After poker Liam kept egging me on to go sing while he does guitar. We got Saul on the drums.
I like that game. Need one in my classroom.
Tuesday, 21 October 2008
Celine Dion
I never thought I would ever say this but, thanks to unknown benefactors, 60 Canuck Place volunteers (including me) are going to the Celine Dion concert tonight. As I said to Sara our Volunteer intake worker "my street cred has been destroyed...
It should be a great show...I will drive all night.
It should be a great show...I will drive all night.
Sunday, 12 October 2008
Monopolised
Very quiet in the house tonight. Bobby and Denny are in for respite care. While we were doing our thing tonight one of the most important events that occurs at the house was taking place. An 11 day old baby and family were coming into the house for an end of life stay. This must be incredibly hard to do for a family but I can think of no other place where the short life of a child is so revered and the care given to all involved is so expert.
Bobby is a veritable senior citizen of the program and is in for his very last admission. Bobby turned 19 and has therefore graduated from the program. If I am not mistaken this is the third Grad I have known. I would have to think that it is both exciting and sad to graduate from the house. If you have to leave the house because you are too old is a fantastic event, but not being part of Canuck Place and getting their special care would be an absolute bummer.
Denny is a boy from Penticton. He has Duchennes muscular dystrophy. He is the monopoly in monopolise. After dinner we all (Denny, Bobby, Joan, and me) went up to the school room to continue a game of Monopoly. We played for a long time. Bobby was whisked away by a nurse...maybe for bed?
Denny made sure that he put Joan and I into the deepest and darkest realms of debt. Even when Joan tried to concede he said no and made her sell him every last piece of property she had mortgaged to the bank. Only then was the game over.
After a trip to the Kid's floor for a potty break we were upstairs for a game of Scrabble.
Yours truly kicked fanny.
Bobby is a veritable senior citizen of the program and is in for his very last admission. Bobby turned 19 and has therefore graduated from the program. If I am not mistaken this is the third Grad I have known. I would have to think that it is both exciting and sad to graduate from the house. If you have to leave the house because you are too old is a fantastic event, but not being part of Canuck Place and getting their special care would be an absolute bummer.
Denny is a boy from Penticton. He has Duchennes muscular dystrophy. He is the monopoly in monopolise. After dinner we all (Denny, Bobby, Joan, and me) went up to the school room to continue a game of Monopoly. We played for a long time. Bobby was whisked away by a nurse...maybe for bed?
Denny made sure that he put Joan and I into the deepest and darkest realms of debt. Even when Joan tried to concede he said no and made her sell him every last piece of property she had mortgaged to the bank. Only then was the game over.
After a trip to the Kid's floor for a potty break we were upstairs for a game of Scrabble.
Yours truly kicked fanny.
Friday, 3 October 2008
Gift of Time
This is a time to share your wealth: The Gift of Time
If you are feeling particularly flush and would like to seat a table of 7 of your close and personal wealthy friends $2800 will do that wonderfully. Bring your chequebook. An auction for many beautiful items will take place.
Entertainment for the last three years has been Chantal Kreviazuk, Jan Arden, and Amanda Marshall...who's next?
If you are feeling particularly flush and would like to seat a table of 7 of your close and personal wealthy friends $2800 will do that wonderfully. Bring your chequebook. An auction for many beautiful items will take place.
Entertainment for the last three years has been Chantal Kreviazuk, Jan Arden, and Amanda Marshall...who's next?
Saturday, 27 September 2008
Finally..a night at the house
Wow...it has been a long time...I think. I was all by my lonesome as far as volunteers go (Tony sprained his ankle and Jen is naming limpets after Tony and I in Bamfield), but certainly not alone in the house. In the house tonight were a handful of kids...Grenadine (I know...bad name...) and her mum, sister and brother from the island, Stephen's , mum and dad, brother and sister (Brady and Insia), Jerrold and Eliza.
Dinner was awesome. Meat. I love meat.
AFter dinner I went with Stephen's brother to the Sun room. Rock band was calling our name. With Isaac and Ophelia in tow Brady and I kicked Rock Band proverbial butt for three songs. Brady kept choosing the most difficult songs. I really do sing better when I know the words.
I had promised Ophelia and Isaac that I would read them a story so I went to find them. They were upstairs with mum. Ophelia was painting in the art room. I helped set Isaac up for a paint. Elsa was with us as well. Isaac found a broom after he painted and it looked suspiciously close to a NIMBUS 2000 so I taught him how to fly on a broom.
After our time in the art room we went next door to the Schoolroom. I was bound and determined to read tonight...and we did. I haven't read a John Burmingham book for so long and we read Would You Rather... and a bunch of others. I miss reading to kids. I am so glad I got to tonight. Isaac's mum came to take him for a bath and I kept reading to his sister and Insia then it was Ophelia's turn for a bath. Insia's mum came and took her away for bed. I mosied down to the kids floor and found Eliza watching The Aristocats. I hung out with her for a while. Jerrold joined us ...he must have woken up from a nap. It was time for some of his meds so I helped the nurse. I helped keep Jerrold kind of upright while he was being "steamed" a cortizone steroid to help his lungs. ELiza got quite anxious when The Aristocrats ended. One of the nurses put the next movie. I think Eliza has watched thousands of movies!
My night ended and I quietly said goodbye to those who were still awake and around.
There are times when you feel that life is tough and you feel crappy. I am so lucky to share part of my time here. It makes me feel better. I hope that a little bit of what I feel rubs off on those I am with.
Dinner was awesome. Meat. I love meat.
AFter dinner I went with Stephen's brother to the Sun room. Rock band was calling our name. With Isaac and Ophelia in tow Brady and I kicked Rock Band proverbial butt for three songs. Brady kept choosing the most difficult songs. I really do sing better when I know the words.
I had promised Ophelia and Isaac that I would read them a story so I went to find them. They were upstairs with mum. Ophelia was painting in the art room. I helped set Isaac up for a paint. Elsa was with us as well. Isaac found a broom after he painted and it looked suspiciously close to a NIMBUS 2000 so I taught him how to fly on a broom.
After our time in the art room we went next door to the Schoolroom. I was bound and determined to read tonight...and we did. I haven't read a John Burmingham book for so long and we read Would You Rather... and a bunch of others. I miss reading to kids. I am so glad I got to tonight. Isaac's mum came to take him for a bath and I kept reading to his sister and Insia then it was Ophelia's turn for a bath. Insia's mum came and took her away for bed. I mosied down to the kids floor and found Eliza watching The Aristocats. I hung out with her for a while. Jerrold joined us ...he must have woken up from a nap. It was time for some of his meds so I helped the nurse. I helped keep Jerrold kind of upright while he was being "steamed" a cortizone steroid to help his lungs. ELiza got quite anxious when The Aristocrats ended. One of the nurses put the next movie. I think Eliza has watched thousands of movies!
My night ended and I quietly said goodbye to those who were still awake and around.
There are times when you feel that life is tough and you feel crappy. I am so lucky to share part of my time here. It makes me feel better. I hope that a little bit of what I feel rubs off on those I am with.
Thursday, 25 September 2008
RESULTS AND PICS FROM THE CHALLENGE
Yea!
1 metre ahead of me is a rock.
Thank goodness these are plastic.
I have never had so much fun on a bike.
I have had better runs.
Final Bib Final Kayak Bike After Bike Run FinalFrom 23rd to 4th! See what riding to work can do for you? Next year I vow to run a bit for training!
Place No. Name of Competitor Pos Time Pos Time Pos Time Pos Time Pos Time Pos Time Team Name
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
1 861 Mark Coates 1 3:28:25 3 49:15 4 1:36:58 2 2:26:13 4 1:02:13 1 3:28:25 Team mc bah
2 860 Billy Adams 2 3:28:25 4 49:16 3 1:36:56 1 2:26:12 5 1:02:14 2 3:28:25 Team mc bah
3 864 Nicole Akeroyd 3 4:27:30 20 59:32 7 2:29:30 9 3:29:01 3 58:29 3 4:27:30
4 865 Malcolm Chrystal 4 4:34:31 19 59:22 5 2:17:30 3 3:16:52 8 1:17:40 4 4:34:31
Tuesday, 16 September 2008
death is hard to understand
I have been at Canuck Place for about 4 years. Many of the house's kids have died in that time. Some I have known a little and some I have never met, but no matter who it is, they are somebody's baby girl, big brother, little sister, or grandchild. As a volunteer we are informed of when a child at the house dies. Recently there were two little boys who passed away with whom I was able to share a night holding, cuddling, and singing songs that I can't remember the lyrics to. When I read of their deaths there is just that little bit more familiarity, a clearer face to put a name to, and a little more sadness. It pales in comparison to what a family member feels.
On Sunday, my wife lost her little bother. Very suddenly and very unexpectantly. He is also an uncle, a son, a husband.
I have never experienced the death of anyone close to me. What I am feeling I am not able to express well. As I watch my family deal with the death of Chad it is clear to me I have no comprehension of what they are feeling.
I can see what they have lost: I have shaken his hand, hugged him, laughed at his corny humour, and danced his silly clotheswasher dance, but I don't know what it is like to lose someone who has alwasy been a part of your life, or you theirs.
When we hear of a death at the house it is from Leanne. She always signs off by saying "take care of yourselves, and each other"
Do that. Always.
On Sunday, my wife lost her little bother. Very suddenly and very unexpectantly. He is also an uncle, a son, a husband.
I have never experienced the death of anyone close to me. What I am feeling I am not able to express well. As I watch my family deal with the death of Chad it is clear to me I have no comprehension of what they are feeling.
I can see what they have lost: I have shaken his hand, hugged him, laughed at his corny humour, and danced his silly clotheswasher dance, but I don't know what it is like to lose someone who has alwasy been a part of your life, or you theirs.
When we hear of a death at the house it is from Leanne. She always signs off by saying "take care of yourselves, and each other"
Do that. Always.
Wednesday, 10 September 2008
Canuck Place Video
This is the reason I volunteer at the house:
Garghttp://canuckplace.com/news_events/video_gallery/articles431.php oyles, Grotesques and Chimeras Gargoyles, Grotesques and Chimeras
Garghttp://canuckplace.com/news_
Sunday, 7 September 2008
Race Day Over $201 000 Raised
What a day! Absolutely freakin' fantastic! Calm waters, cool bike, and the run was ok too. Cramping legs for me and a number of others today!
I get to introduce to you the 'Adventure Cam'.
I get to introduce to you the 'Adventure Cam'.
Images of the bike trails from a very deftly mounted camera atop the handle bars of "The Bike".
This year I think I have an idea of how I did compared to all these young, agile, and superfit individuals in the race. Last year I had know idea what happened and was very surprised when I won the 'Solo Mens' category. This year 'The Bike' was a tool of absolute precision and awesomeness. Thank you to Leslie and her guys at Dizzy Cycles who did some things to 'The Bike' for $90 and made it run like a $150 bike and made all the difference in the world. Mercer...I will get you the $90...soon!
If my oxygen and electrolyte depleted body figures correctly: 2 young guys completed this years race way under 4hrs as a team. In third place there is Nicole who is a Thursday Night family volunteer at the house (so she wins the Women's Solo), and then me who represents the Friday night family volunteer shift (and I win the Men's Solo!). The house was well represented on the podium!!
Leah from North Shore Orthodpedic massaged my legs after the race....and she kept telling me I was "damaged". The massage helped to get the post race gunk out of my achy legs but that I needed way more massage therapy....damaged....sigh....
I raised over a thousand dollars this year again. Next year I hope that I can do even better in raising funds. There were 3 or 4 racers who raised over $8000. Top fund raiser did over $11 000.
Thank you to anyone and everyone who helped in sponsoring a competitor this year.
The House is an magical place where the kids are the magicians. The staff and volunteers get to be assistants in a wonderful show.
Ps If you missed doing a donation before the race it appears the sponsor page is still open (!!!).
More Adventure Cam:
This year I think I have an idea of how I did compared to all these young, agile, and superfit individuals in the race. Last year I had know idea what happened and was very surprised when I won the 'Solo Mens' category. This year 'The Bike' was a tool of absolute precision and awesomeness. Thank you to Leslie and her guys at Dizzy Cycles who did some things to 'The Bike' for $90 and made it run like a $150 bike and made all the difference in the world. Mercer...I will get you the $90...soon!
If my oxygen and electrolyte depleted body figures correctly: 2 young guys completed this years race way under 4hrs as a team. In third place there is Nicole who is a Thursday Night family volunteer at the house (so she wins the Women's Solo), and then me who represents the Friday night family volunteer shift (and I win the Men's Solo!). The house was well represented on the podium!!
Leah from North Shore Orthodpedic massaged my legs after the race....and she kept telling me I was "damaged". The massage helped to get the post race gunk out of my achy legs but that I needed way more massage therapy....damaged....sigh....
I raised over a thousand dollars this year again. Next year I hope that I can do even better in raising funds. There were 3 or 4 racers who raised over $8000. Top fund raiser did over $11 000.
Thank you to anyone and everyone who helped in sponsoring a competitor this year.
The House is an magical place where the kids are the magicians. The staff and volunteers get to be assistants in a wonderful show.
Ps If you missed doing a donation before the race it appears the sponsor page is still open (!!!).
More Adventure Cam:
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