“Three more Angels have been healed”

I’m training harder than ever and will all pay off for my Canadian International Championships, Jan 2011, and World Cup in Calgary, Feb 2011. Both of these competitions will be against able-bodied skaters.

Cancun mission

My trip to Cancun changed the lives of two more very lucky children. Thanks to the support of friends and supporters all over.

The mission lady, Ivonne Castillo, has helped tremendously on these incredible missions. Her knowledge and skills always seems to blow me away. I would also like to recognize Gail Soares from Boston and Mr. Brighton from Ottawa who’s financial help has done wonders. And last but not least, a special thank you to all the people who have helped in the Ottawa area.

Manuel, who we helped last year, has been fighting a nasty ear and nose infection. I, Ivonne and Gail went to Manuel’s many doctor appointments to inquire about his progress. We saw on a big screen the problem in his ears and nose. The doctors has put Manuel on prescriptions until his infection has healed. But prescriptions won’t last forever. There is talk of an operation. We are not sure what kind of operation awaits poor little Manuel, but I am confident supporters across Ottawa and the world will pull together to help Manuel be a normal kid again.

I have also had the chance to meet a young girl named Marie Carmen. She is 10 years old and will hopefully get a new hearing, thanks to the fundraising I have done for her. When we arrived at Marie Carmen’s village, 3 hours away from Cancun. Her village has no running water or electrivcity and the living conditions are very rough. At first, Marie Carmen was shy and scared of us. Her curiousity peaked when she saw the contraption of a hearing aid in my ear. Soon she was comfortable and at ease with her new friends.

When she settled down, we put my hearing aid on her. At first she was not impressed. The strange sounds and the feeling of a big plastic apparatus in her ear through her off. However, after a few minutes, she smiled. She got to experience crystal clear sound for a whole hour. I wanted to extend this miraculous experience for her. So I let her try my MP3 player. Just like when she tried the hearing aid on, she was a little confused and perplexed at the music coming out of this strange object. After five minutes, she was dancing to the beat with a big beautiful smile on her face. I could never explain in words the feeling I get when I see these children enjoying the gift of hearing.

Back home, but there is more

When I got back from Cancun, I received a call from a teacher asking for some help with her 12 year old student, Daniel. He is almost completely blind and having a hard time adjusting to school. I offered to do a presentation at Daniel’s school so I could meet both Daniel and his parents.

I quickly learned Daniel’s teacher and parents were trying to raised $1,200 for a new special computer for the blind. Due to his family situation they could not afford it. So like I have done so many times before, I offered to do some fundraising. The next day I approach the Orleans Lions Club and told them about Daniel. And just like that, we raised the funds for Daniel’s new computer. We presented a cheque to Daniel and his mom at a Lions dinner to help Daniel feel special and regain confidence.

A dream

I asked Daniel if he had a dream. He told me, “I would like to go and see the Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs game.” A few calls and I presented a pair of tickets for Daniel and his mom to go to the game.

Dreams really do come true!

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