On behalf of my dear friend Ryan I am posting this letter that his father wrote about the Blind Hockey Tournament that Ryan participated in. If you are able to assist this very worthwhile cause in anyway please do so. You can also assist by passing this on to other - not only for donations but for awareness of what is available for our Blind youth. If this letter is able to even help one Blind Youth enjoy their passion of hockey or some other sport its sharing will have been successful. Many of us throughout the course of our lives have seen or been involved with athletes who have accomplished amazing results in their respective sport(s). I had the privilege of witnessing this, this past weekend while at a hockey tournament in Toronto. While I know hockey tournaments are a dime a dozen this particular tournament was unique in in one aspect. Hockey is Canada’s sport and I’m sure most of us have at one time or another wondered what is would be like to win the Stanley Cup, World Championship, Olympic Gold. While the athletes I watched this weekend understand the such dreams are not open to them, being number one in this tournament was an obtainable goal. Courage Canada is a non-profit organization that held the tournament this weekend. It’s goal is simple, allow men and women to play hockey regardless of ability or handicap. So what’s the handicap and the point to all of this? If you have ever played hockey or held a stick and tried to shoot a puck it’s not as easy as it looks. Now trying doing it if you can’t see the puck. All competitors this weekend were visually impaired or completely blind, Some as in the case of my son are visually impaired (5% vision) and deaf (hearing aid and cochlear implant). My initial thought when I took Ryan to this tournament was I would be bored throughout the weekend. I couldn’t have been more wrong. Outstanding goal tending, great passes, fantastic goals and great people. I’m hoping that I may have tweak some your interest. If I have please take a look at Courage Canada web site, on the main banner is a link to all the games played this past weekend. I’m sure you will be pleasantly surprised at what you see. Ryan played for the West and his team did very well and in well I mean to say undefeated and Gold Metal winners (proud father bragging rites..lol ). Now I asking for your help. If you have or know of someone with a visual impairment and they are interested in playing hockey tell them about Courage Canada. There may be a team in your local area. Vancouver has the Eclipse, Calgary the Seeing Ice Dogs, Toronto Ice Owls. Montreal Les Hiboux. Unfortunately Edmonton doesn’t currently have a team but Alberta Sports and Recreation Association for the Blind (ASRAB) books ice team and is always looking for players. This year tournament had sixty-four players hopefully with your help we could add another team or more. Thank-you for taking the time to read this and play on. Rory Kucy
Posted on: Thu, 27 Mar 2014 18:06:48 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015