Newsletter Fall 2020
MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR We would like to express our sincere gratitude for your generosity in supporting the Adaptive Sports Foundation. Your support is truly remarkable and crucial in helping ASF reach its goal of expanding its services to as many regions of Quebec as possible. We are pleased to present our Fall 2020 Newsletter providing you with a glimpse of the work that we have achieved over the past year, despite these unprecedented times due to the Covid-19 Pandemic.
“When life gives you lemons, make lemonade“ they say!
Even though we are all going through difficult times due to the Covid-19 pandemic, our dynamic team has stayed positive and focused on updating our various policies and procedures as well as revamping our website. We also finalized new partnerships with other organizations who will play a major role in our expansion. Our goal is to offer a « one stop shop » for anyone who lives with physical disabilities to practice outdoor sports. Our role is not only to assist them with the help of our trained volunteers but also help them adopt active and healthy lifestyle habits despite their condition.
For the last 5 years, we have been focusing on gradually expanding our services and this has been a key factor in the growth of our foundation throughout the province of Quebec.
None of us could have predicted a Covid pandemic, but the truth is, it made many realize that isolation leads to increased loneliness and risk for depressions among the population. It serves as a reminder to us of the importance of the ASF community and renewed our efforts moving forward.
We are grateful for your generosity and we would like to thank you for your continued support and commitment to our mission.
I hope that you enjoy reading the latest newsletter which should bring you up to date with what has been done this past year….Thank you and happy reading!
- Steve Charbonneau
Safety First Unfortunately, we had to end our 2020 Winter Program abruptly, like many others, as a direct result of the pandemic. We were also obligated to suspend the entire Summer Program in order to respect public health measures but mostly to protect the health of our members who often have a compromised immune system. Safety has always been our primary goal and our procedures require physical proximity with our participants due to transfers in and out of the equipment. Therefore, this would significantly increase the risks of transmission of the virus. The safety of our volunteers is also our major concern for us as many of our volunteers are in the age bracket considered at a high risk.
You would like to know more about us? Call (450) 243-5985 or visit our website www.adaptivesports.ca
Keeping the ASF Community Active At ASF, we strive for inclusion and equality in sports. It is important for a person living with a physical disability to enjoy the benefits of outdoor sports while being treated with appropriate respect. Participating in our programs enables our 800 participants per year to socialize with their peers in a meaningful way that social media cannot replace. Being physically active is a perfect way to improve their health and provide a sense of accomplishment.
Despite our not being able to offer sports programs, we kept in contact with our participants and volunteers. We organized many ZOOM reunions that allowed everyone to chat and laugh together but mostly, we wanted to know how ASF could help. We wanted to offer our help to anyone in need. The strong involvement of our volunteers is the backbone of our organization. It was important for us to give them the opportunity to socialize and maintain that strong sense of belonging they find on the hill.
We’re looking forward to seeing everyone again!
Page 1 | Adaptive Sports Foundation | Fall 2020 Newsletter
How does the pandemic affect our Winter Program? The Adaptive Sports Foundation was given the green light to go ahead, plan and deliver an amended version of its Adaptive Winter Ski Program which is excellent news!
ASF plans on offering individual ski sessions, in an enduring Covid-19 environment, by developing a plan based on directions from Quebec Public Health authorities as well as collaborating with different ski hills where ASF offers its services. We feel that because of the isolation felt during the pandemic our adaptive sports opportunities take on a vital necessity to those that require our assistance to get out and play safely.
The ASF developed a comprehensive protocol designed to allow program activities to resume with modifications and restrictions and ensure the health and safety of our community. Rest assured, ASF does recognize the vulnerability of some of our participants with compromised immune systems; thus, health and safety measures will be at the forefront of all that we do.
As a result, our programs will be adapted for much smaller audiences than in the past.
Quebec City and Our Mobile Unit ASF is fortunate to have a mobile unit that allows us to collaborate with other organizations around the province for many different activities. In these times of uncertainty, each potential event will be evaluated based on recommendations from Quebec’s Public Health authorities.
ASF may be affected in different ways in various areas by the constant changes in safety measures and zone statuses. The best way for our participants to stay informed about our ski lessons, events and other news is to visit our website- www.adaptivesports.ca or by following us on Facebook.
Our ASF team will remain available to anyone who may have questions about procedures and protocols for this coming season. Our objective is to continue offering our services and fulfill our mission to the best of our ability.
+
The ASF Membership Card is Free in 2021: All participants and volunteers can subscribe for their free ASF Membership card for all 2021 activities. This is a special offer due to the Covid-19 situation and the objective is to encourage our participants to continue to be active despite the pandemic and not let the situation discourage them.
Page 2 | Adaptive Sports Foundation | Fall 2020 Newsletter
Remember that an ASF membership has many advantages: - Discounts on our new online boutique (coming soon)
- Benefits, discounts and surprises at participating partners
- Participants and volunteers are automatically covered through our Liability insurance
- Be the first to be notified and register for ASF’s Discovery Activities
+ The 2020 Winter Program Our last Winter season was off to an excellent start until the pandemic rapidly changed our lives. We were obligated to abruptly end our 2020 Winter Program in order to respect all health and safety recommendations. We can say without a doubt, that our participants and volunteers were having a great time until that point. A big thank you to all of our committed and generous volunteers for their infectious enthusiasm!
Here are some of the numbers for the 2020 Winter Program:
+
2020 Winter participations* Owl’s Head Mobile Unit ( Orford, Bromont, Vallée du Parc, Massif du Sud, Chantecler, Sutton ) Injured Soldier’s Activities Le Relais Stoneham
154
TOTAL
329
57 42 40 36
*The term participations refers to the number activities offered multiplied by the number of individuals who participated in each activity.
+
Thank you Jean-François! For 14 years, ASF was fortunate to be able to rely on a very dedicated volunteer named Jean-François Rousseau. We are sad to announce that he will no longer volunteer for our Winter Program. He spent countless hours each winter coordinating all of our volunteers’ training and certifications. He truly did much more than that. Jean-François contributed tremendously to ASF’s solid reputation across the country. We would like to wish him continued success in all of his future projects.
+ Thank you Opération Enfants Soleil
Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of Opération Enfant Soleil and its donors, we will be able to purchase a new sit ski specifically designed for smaller children. Opération Enfant Soleil continues to support healthcare facilities and other special projects like this one in all four corners of Quebec. Around the world, normal life has been put on pause, but among all the uncertainties, one fact remains: children continue to need care. Thank you to Opération Enfants Soleil and all their donors who made this possible.
+
Welcome Frédéric Jean!
+
2021 Winter Program Committee
The Adaptive Sports Foundation is happy to welcome Frédéric Jean, a new staff member who will be joining our team for the next six months. Thanks to the Canadian Armed Forces Vocational Rehabilitation Program for Serving Members, ASF can count on Frédéric Jean as an intern. During his term with us, serving full-time, you can expect him to focus on planning and coordinating activities aimed at serving our military and veteran clientele, but he will also contribute to our regular program serving ASF’s physically disabled clientele. Frédéric is very familiar with the ASF as he has been an active volunteer for our Summer Water-Sports Program for over three years. Join us in welcoming him!
Now more than ever, we felt the need to pool our knowledge and make decisions together as a team. This pandemic has brought some positive new ways of doing things and as such, we have created the Winter Program Committee. The committee is made up of ASF staff and volunteers and its mission is to come to a consensus on the best practices for ASF Winter activities. Scheduling, pairing of volunteers and participants, safety protocols are some of the items discussed with the committee on regular Zoom meetings and correspondences. The various experiences of the committee members make this team a wellbalanced group, covering every field of expertise needed to ensure a successful Winter Program.
Page 3 | Adaptive Sports Foundation | Fall 2020 Newsletter
Testimonials Diane Rodd, a 24 year volunteer “It has been 24 years since Peter Treacy asked me if I could ski and if so, would I be interested in volunteering with the Eastern Township Disabled Skiers Foundation (now the Adaptive Sports Foundation). That was a decision I never regretted. I have met so many wonderful people throughout the years, participants as well as volunteers. With the help and encouragement of the ASF team, I was able to become a certified lead instructor. You can’t help but to be proud of our program when you see our participants out on the hill gaining confidence and ability. I have shed tears of joy and cheered their success. I do volunteer once in a while with our Summer Program. As I am not a great swimmer, I help on the dock. I get a thrill every time watching our participants enjoy the water sports. The best part is the smiles, hugs and thanks we get from the participants and their families. It’s a wonderful feeling knowing that you have helped someone enjoy the outdoors and better their life. We must not forget to thank all the great volunteers (past and present) and the generous donors that make ASF what it is today. You have impacted so many lives. As you guessed: Yes Peter, I can ski.“
Felix Dion, 15 year participant
Diane
“I started skiing at the Adaptive Sports Foundation 15 years ago. My father and I were embarking on an adventure filled with rich moments of good skiing, but above all, great encounters. When I arrived, I immediately fell in love! I felt such a strong cohesion in an authentic group where each individual has as much to offer as the next. Over the years, it is certain that the foundation has grown and evolved in several aspects such as logistics and equipment for example. I remember an orange metallic sled that was used to mount the students behind the snowmobiles (ancestor of the current sleds) which was welded in a rather artistic way, let's put it that way! Quietly, the organization grew bigger and bigger without ever refining the nature of its primary mission: to bring happiness to its students through unparalleled freedom. And that is only a small part of everything that my journey with the Adaptive Sports Foundation has brought me and equipped me to become the adult that I am today, 15 years later. The foundation and the people who make it up are a strength of character in and of itself that will stop at nothing, no matter how great the obstacle. This is the message I have taken from it for 15 years! It is through mutual aid, empathy and cohesion that we can move mountains, or in our case, slide on them!” Félix
The Eastern Townships Disabled Skiers Foundation was created with its skiing program at Owl’s Head
ASF’s summer program moves to Camp Massawippi in Ayer’s Cliff
2001
1995
The Foundation changes its name to the Adaptive Sports Foundation
2009
2005
2013
2010
First waterskiing program in Brome-Lake New office and storage space at Owl's Head Page 4 | Adaptive Sports Foundation | Fall 2020 Newsletter
2015
Return of the waterskiing program to Brome-Lake
New water-skiing program in St-Jean-surRichelieu
Our founder in action
Blast from the past…
Peter Treacy established the Eastern Townships Disabled Skiers Foundation in 1995 which later changed its name to the Adaptive Sports Foundation. He worked year-round to secure funding for specialized equipment and travelled throughout the Eastern Townships to recruit volunteers and students. He has made it possible for people with a variety of disabilities to experience the exhilaration of alpine skiing while improving their self-confidence and making new friends. Through his love of skiing and compassion for people with disabilities, Mr. Treacy has created remarkable opportunities for his students, their families and the volunteers who assist them. Thank you Peter, for being a pioneer in the field of adaptive skiing in Quebec!
Skiing with Philippe and Karine Vermette 20 years later On November 27, 2000, the Vermette family was involved in a tragic life altering head on car collision. This accident tragically killed their mother and left the three children Philippe, Jonathan and Karine paralyzed. The children were very active before the accident and afterwards they kept their desire to continue to practice sports, despite their disability. They then discovered the Adaptive Sports Foundation and came skiing at Owl’s Head numerous times. At that time, there were limited adapted sports opportunities in the Sherbrooke area so their dad took it upon himself to start a wheelchair basketball team. Which eventually led the two boys to practice basketball at a more serious level. They played for their college team and represented Canada in the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio. After being away from skiing for close to 20 years, and due to our expansion in Quebec, Karine and Philippe were able to rediscover the joy of hitting the slopes again. We are very happy to have them as part of our Winter Program again!
Martin Larose Martin (in the sit ski) started skiing in 1993 and then, in 1999, he joined ASF as a CADS level 2A instructor. In 2002, he joined the National Para Alpine ski team. In 2005 he became a member of their coaching staff. Impressively Martin was the very first level 2 instructor of the Canadian Coaches Federation. We were very pleased to welcome Martin this past winter as he offered to help improve ASF’s students skills who were offered individual ski lessons at Ski Le Relais at Lac-Beauport, QC.
Remembering Dr. Bob Seymore In July, ASF lost Dr. Bob Seymour, a cherished volunteer, instructor, supporter and Board Member. Dr. Bob & his wife Shirl were instrumental in helping get the Adaptive Sports Foundation (ASF) started in 1995. They both participated at several events in Montreal and the Eastern Townships with Joan and Peter Treacy spreading the word about ASF and its incredible mission. They also visited Lion Club events, Readaptation Centres and many universities together to demonstrate the adaptive equipment. In addition, they volunteered at Owl's Head for many years. Dr. Bob as an instructor and Shirl helping with administration duties. Dr. Bob served as a member of the board of directors for several years. They were more than supporters, donors and volunteers. They are true friends of ASF and they showed their support right to the end. On behalf of the entire Adaptive Sports Foundation family, we would like to extend our most heartfelt sympathies to his wife Shirl, his two daughters and all his family and friends.
New corporate logo is announced
Very first edition of the ASF’s Annual Golf Tournament
Commercialization of the Dahü
2017
2015
2015
The mobile unit travelling throughout the province
ASF lunches its 25th Anniversary Appeal to support ASF’s expansion plan
2016
Return of the Injured Soldier Sports Camps
2018
2018 First event in collaboration with Fondation Fusée in Shawinigan
2018 Return to end of season races with the Telus Race for students and volunteers
Merge with the FSHQ and ASF’s first program in Quebec (Ski le Relais et Stoneham)
Crosscountry Skiing Program Paracycling Program
2019
2019
2020
2021
2021
New Discovery Program that includes Horseback Riding, Standup Paddle Board, and Kayaking Page 5 | Adaptive Sports Foundation | Fall 2020 Newsletter
+
New Programs for 2021
New Adaptive Cross-Country Skiing Program Winter 2021 It is with great enthusiasm that we announce the launch of this new program which will be available this winter to anyone wishing to try adapted cross-country skiing. We just purchased two cross-country sledges made in Quebec by Evo Concept who designs, manufactures and distributes sports equipment for people with reduced mobility.
An exciting bonus to this new equipment is that we have purchased skate attachments that allow participants to skate on ice. As such, we will be able to offer activities on ice this winter.
More details on locations where it will be offered will be available on our website soon. Stay tuned!
New ParaCycling program Spring 2021 We are pleased to announce the beginning of a new collaboration between The Shelley Gautier Para-Sport Foundation, Le Centre National de Cyclisme de Bromont and The Adaptive Sports Foundation. The objective of this unique partnership is to allow people living with physical disabilities all across Quebec to discover the numerous benefits of practicing paracycling. Through paracycling, participants will experience joy and independence. This is a great tool to promote inclusion through sport.
We are so excited to have Éric Van Den Eynde collaborating with us for this program as a coach. Éric was a member of the Para Cycling National Team coaching staff at the Paralympics in 1996, 2008, 2012 and 2016.
Shelley Gautier
Did you know ? School trips during the pandemic
A few months ago, a school in Granby, QC organized a school trip to climb Bromont. Instead of asking the student living with a disability to stay home that day, they borrowed an ASF Dahu. Not only did it allow the young student to participate, it also raised awareness amongst his classmates on some of the barriers one living with a disability may encounter throughout his or her life. Our goal is to have one in every city in Quebec so anyone who needs it can enjoy the beauties of nature year round just like their able-bodied classmates, friends, and family members.
+
New collaborations
Club de canotage de Shawinigan Summer 2021
e build bridges, while the « In times of crisis, the wis must find a way to look We s. foolish build barrier were one single tribe.» after one another, as if we -King T’Challa
In 2011, through our Soldier-On program, ASF purchased 6 competition level kayaks. In 2010, Christian Maranda, a member of the Canadian Armed Forces, was injured while serving in Afghanistan. A few years later, he discovered kayaking through our program. He then became a member of the Canadian paracanoe National Team in 2012. In that same year, he became the Canadian sprint kayak champion over 200m in the legs, trunk and arms (KL3) Paralympic handicap category.
Christian recently connected us with the Club de Canotage de la Mauricie, a para kayaking club in Shawinigan in order for us to work with them and to allow people living with disabilities in that region to discover a new passion...and who knows, perhaps a future para-kayaking champion will come from Shawinigan using one of our kayaks again! Thank you to the Club de Canotage de la Mauricie for making this happen.
O’sijja Summer 2021 We are proud to team up with O’sijja, a Non-Profit organization who offers adaptive Stand Up Paddle Boarding to anyone living with physical disabilities. Together, we will offer activity days as part of our Discovery Program.
Page 6 | Adaptive Sports Foundation | Fall 2020 Newsletter
The 2020
InclusActive Challenge At the Adaptive Sports Foundation, 15 pieces of equipment have been in use for over 20 years. While they are still safe to use, they are outdated. We need to replace these sit skis with more technologically advanced equipment. This lighter and more versatile equipment is easier and safer for both the participants and volunteers. The original goal of the INCLUSACTIVE Challenge was to acquire three (3) essential pieces of adaptive ski equipment with a total value of $25,000. Thanks to the generous support of our ever growing community of donors, ASF was able to raise $84,000. We can’t tell you how excited we were to see our initial objective surpassed more than 3 times! This success allows ASF to jumpstart the equipment renewal process.
We would like to thank the 821 donors, the 106 participants and all the partners who made the INCLUSACTIVE Challenge a massive success!
A success beyond expectations!
We invite you to view the pictures and videos of our Challengers through our website: www.sportsadaptes.ca
Thank you for being #INCLUSACTIVE!
700
Number of new donors through the InclusActive Challenge. ASF makes itself more well known.
19
821
Individuals donated to this fundraising campaign.
20
106
Participants stepped out of their comfort zone for the Challenge.
Individual fundraising pages were created.
20 team fundraising pages were created. 4 teams had individuals living with a disability on their team.
« Comfort food » recipe book by the ASF community Many people discovered new passions while being confined at home… such as cooking! We asked our participants, volunteers, and partners if they were interested in participating in a cookbook project. At first, we thought it was a good way to stay connected with our community but then we quickly realized that it had lots of potential such as serving as a tool to promote ASF through pictures of people involved with the Foundation. Donors, volunteers, participants and partners all came together to share their most favourite, delicious and comforting recipes. The very first “ASF Comfort Food Cookbook” will be available in February 2021. Preorders will include a complimentary ASF bookmark. Reserve yours today!
New Online Boutique and ASF 2021 Calendar
4
Many of you showed interest in buying ASF’s apparel and other souvenirs like coffee mugs, T-shirts, hoodies, hats, etc. So we're pleased to announce that our Online boutique is now live and will soon offer all sorts of cool stuff and also our Comfort Food Recipe Book and our very first ASF 2021 Calendar. Purchase yours today!
Go check it out !
Page 7 | Adaptive Sports Foundation | Fall 2020 Newsletter
25th ANNIVERSARY APPEAL UPDATE The Adaptive Sports Foundation has an ambitious goal to serve over 900 children and adults living with disabilities by the year 2022. As a result, we launched our 25th Anniversary Campaign in 2018 to raise the necessary funds to have a farther reaching impact across the province of Quebec. Our fundraising objective was to raise $2.7 million over 5 years. Since the inception of our campaign, the excitement and momentum has been building! Many members of the ASF family as well as corporations and family foundations have joined together to offer their support for this worthy cause by giving to one of our fundraising activities.
Just over two years later, our efforts are being very well received around Quebec, and thanks to the $2 million in funds already secured, our expansion work is already beginning around Quebec - from Gatineau to Alma!
We count on every one of you who have supported us over the first 25 years. Your generosity in supporting our mission has changed the lives of countless individuals with disabilities. We could not have come this far without your support and we thank you!
We have ambitious plans for the next 25 years that will allow us to reach so many more children and adults living with disabilities. The smiles and testimonials of our participants is proof that with your continued support, WE CAN improve the lives of even more individuals.
We invite you to contribute to our 25th Anniversary Campaign by making your donation to any one of our fundraising efforts online at adaptivesports.ca.
A UNIQUE CONCEPT TO SUPPORT OUR EXPANSION
WHAT ABOUT OUR EXPANSION PLAN
Since 2010 our organization has been offering sports camps to veterans and injured soldiers in collaboration with Soldier On, True Patriot Love and Supporting Wounded Veterans Canada.
We would love to be able to predict what awaits us in the year 2021 but unfortunately we cannot. Even though the coming months are very uncertain, we remain confident and excited to continue with our expansion plan.
The first objective for this program is to encourage these men and women with a Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), to come out of isolation and to become active and to socialize again. Through this program, we quickly realized that many were touched by what ASF does for people living with physical disabilities. One of the initial reasons these veterans joined the army was to help others. By joining ASF and its wonderful group of volunteers, they can help to make a huge difference again. In many ways it gives them a new mission.
The need for our participants to socialize, become active and improve their level of selfconfidence through sports won’t go away after this pandemic. In fact, it may cause even more challenges for them in the future and increase their desire to come out of isolation. As a result, this drives ASF to ensure that more people have access to our programs and services than ever before. Expansion is a necessity not an option.
When we began our expansion plan to offer our activities to other regions of Quebec our mission was to serve as many people as possible. We decided to reach out to retired veterans and injured soldiers to ask for their help by volunteering with us. This is a win-win for all! The greater the number of volunteers we can recruit and train, the greater the number of sport programs we can offer throughout the province with our mobile unit.
In the months prior to the pandemic, we had given presentations at the Canadian Armed Forces Transition Centre in Valcartier each month to injured soldiers who were waiting to be released from the military. These presentations have temporarily been put on hold during the pandemic. However, ASF will continue to inform them about the possibility of becoming volunteers so that they can once again enjoy the feeling of serving and helping others.
To realize our expansion plan, we need to keep promoting our services throughout the province of Quebec. We offer ski resorts our “turnkey” services to assist them in implementing an adaptive skiing program for all as we believe that everyone deserves an equal chance to practice sports.
Appreciation of our donors The Adaptive Sports Foundation wishes to recognize our valued donors. Without your support, we could not provide as much joy and well being to our participants. A heartfelt thank you! Find a list of ASF donors on our website.
On behalf of the Board and the entire staff, I would like to thank you for your continued support and for making a lasting difference in the lives of all ASF’s participants and their families.
Margarita Gardiner, President of the 25th anniversary appeal campaign
New tools of communication for the entire ASF community As the situation progresses, we will keep you updated via our new blog. A very interactive way to communicate with the entire ASF community as well as for those interested in joining us to discover the joy of practicing outdoor sports.
Please take a look at www.sportsadaptes.ca/blog.
Page 8 | Adaptive Sports Foundation | Fall 2020 Newsletter
Would you like to contribute? There are many ways you can contribute to our mission. If you wish to donate, organise a fundraising event and donate profits to ASF or generously donate time by becoming a volunteer, please contact us!
549 Knowlton Rd.
Brome-Lake, Qc
J0E 1C0
(450) 243-5985
www.adaptivesports.ca