Vancouver 2010 Whispering Winds ...the voice of the Métis Community in British Columbia
Inspiring a new generation through the Paralympic Games for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC). The pilot program – which toured British Columbia’s Lower Mainland and Seato-Sky Corridor in May and June – not only boosted excitement for Paralympic sports, but earned rave reviews from teachers.
Matthew Hallat, Canadian Paralympian in alpine skiing, displays his outrigger to the students
“[VANOC] wanted to inspire and excite a new generation about the Paralympic Games,” said Kristina Molloy, VANOC Paralympic Games coordinator. “The schools really embraced the program and got right into the spirit of things.”
Paul Rosen knows how to turn a packed gymnasium of restless elementary school students into a captive audience. He reaches down, removes his prosthetic leg and raises it overhead. What follows has the power to inspire a new generation of Canadians. Rosen, goalie of Canada’s Paralympic ice sledge hockey team, was one of five presenting Paralympians for the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic School Days pilot program developed by the Vancouver Organizing Committee
Getting Into the Games Vancouver 2010 Paralympic School Days is intended to create a positive buzz around Paralympic sport, with increased attendance at Paralympic venues being another natural spinoff of the program. Added Molloy: “This is a great way for [students and teachers] to learn about the Games in advance of them being here since they could potentially be going as spectators.” The first 10 schools selected for the pilot phase of the program were selected by VANOC and included at least one school from each of the Olympic and Paralympic venue communities – 57
North Vancouver, Richmond, Squamish, Vancouver, West Vancouver and Whistler. Every stop on the pilot tour featured a motivational speech by a Paralympic athlete, a presentation on Vancouver 2010 and the Paralympic Movement, promotional videos, interactive sport demonstrations, a poster-drawing station and autograph sessions with the visiting Paralympian. Occurring In their school’s gymnasia, students were able to try wheelchair curling, sledge floor hockey on wheeled sleds and a cross-country sit ski on wheels. Understanding Takes Questions Fun and games aside, in Rosen’s view, the Paralympic School Days program is imperative for teaching kids that Paralympians are “athletes with disabilities, not disabled athletes.” He has seen every kind of reaction, from raised eyebrows, to unease, to curiosity. But no matter the reaction, Rosen is open to any questions or comments because his measure for success is the amount of dialogue he can stir up. Any question is a good question. Rosen makes a living from corporate speaking events but says nothing Fall 2007