Training for a 5 k, curling, crutches

Ok...I'm lazy! Have been meaning to do an update for quite sometime now.

So...where to start.
First off. We now have a chair lift that allows me to get to the basement and a garage lift that allows me to get out of the house through the garage - thank you to all who have participated in fundraisers over the last number of months. It is because of your genorosity that I am able to live a comfortable life as a disabled person.
Since our return from Florida much continues to happen and the good news is that progress just seems to continue as every month rolls by. Below you will see some pictures attached of recent activities.
Marijo , Brenda (my sister) and I have been walking/running at the Quinte sports center. It's great as there is smooth flooring, out of the weather elements and 7 laps around gives me 1 mile of distance. I'm working on getting my endurance built up.
Marijo and I have once again entered into a local race 5k/10k called the Pitter Patter (April 10th). We did the 10 k together two years ago and my time was 51.30. This year I intend to walk the 5k using my walker. I am hoping to complete it in less the 2.5 hours...that's the goal! The race co-ordinators are allowing me to start early so I can finish with everyone else. Marijo is training for a 1/2 in Ottawa in May, so we train together. This weekend past we trained outside for the first time and let me tell you the terrain is much tougher then the smooth flooring of the sports center.

This week I will start walking at the hospital using modified crutches, I'm very excited to see if this allow me to walk without my walker. On Saturday we went to the Mall without wheelchair instead using my walker. Nice to be looking people in the eye versus from a sitting position. On Sunday (March 13th, 2010) I participated in my company's annual curling fun day. I was in my chair and was able to push the rock via a specially designed handle...I was pretty bad but heck we won both of our games due to great shots from Paul, Bill and Ron.
I have recently done two speaking engagements telling my story.....Marijo says I'm becoming better and more relaxed as I do each engagement. I went in February and spoke to a ladies church group and the last week to a Probus (retired professional business) group - both in Belleville. People are so very nice with all their praise and compliments to both Marijo and I afterwards. Sometimes I think of maybe jotting down a few words about my story while I still remember it all. I have been invited to speak to a large Christian church group in the fall of 2012 in Kingston.
In late April I will be fitted for a new component that attaches to my existing left leg prosthetic. It's called an Otto bock helix hip joint...in laymans terms, it's a hip joint that gives the user more comfort and stability when you walk. My goal is to walk Marijo down the aisle (I might hang on to her a little...but no walker!) in just a little over 3 months as we exchange wedding vows on June 25th at Huffs Estate winery.
Also I signed up for disability sailing for the summer. My home golf course, Trillium Woods, did an amazing thing for me. They have extended free golfing privileges to me for this upcoming golf season...so cool! Can you just imagine if I beat any of my golfing buddies on any hole....boys - get your game sharpened up...pressures on!
I have been working closely with P&G to see if I am able to return to work. They have been very accommodating. More to come on that as we continue to explore options. In the meantime, I am looking into options for volunteering some time to the community. There might be some teaching opportunities to help out young children that struggle a little with their schooling.
Well my first winter has pretty much past at being disabled and I have to tell you it was not much fun as I discovered that snow and road conditions can certainly keep you more house bound then you wish to be. We have some ideas how to combat this in the future....I'm searching for palm trees now...lol. Bring on Spring!.
Mike (my son) just celebrated his 32nd birthday..oh I feel so old and my daughter Jenn comes home from Switzerland on March 31st. I promise to not take so long for our next entry in this blog! My heart reaches out to all the struggles of the Japanese people after this horrific earth quake.