Catching and kicking a football

Co-ordination is one of the biggest issues for someone who has no cerebellum.  I practiced a great deal to get my timing just right so I could kick and catch a football.  I was never going to play the sport but I wanted to show that I could train my brain to react quick enough to catch a football that was thrown in the air - my hard work paid off when I finally was able to catch and kick a football.

Here I am kicking a football:

Here I am catching a football - sorry it is sideways.

Curling

I have always been one to try anything and curling was a sport that my mom loved and when I had an opportunity to try it out, I was excited.  I enjoyed the opportunity and I played it like, it was a video game.  I tried to knock my opponent's rocks out of the rings and I did.

This opportunity was given to me because I was part of the OCTC (Ottawa Children's Treatment Centre)

Therapeutic Riding - 2012

I took part in the Therapeutic Riding program where I learned more about balance and control while riding on a horse.  I was not fussy about the smell of the horse but it was a fun experience and it helped to build up my core and did help with control of my balance.

Therapeutic Riding - click to learn more

Down hill skiing - CADS

In the winter of 2012, I became part of the CADS association and I learned to ski down hill. At first this was very scary but as I became more comfortable with the skis, I mastered the hill.  I was able to ski without assistance and as a result I won the most improved youth skier award.  I was very proud of this accomplishment as doctors told my parents I might never walk and that balance would be an issue. Well, if anyone has ever skied you know that balance on two skis can be challenging even for a person without a disability.

CADS

CADS (Canadian Association for Disabled Skiing) is a national organization with 1130 members with a disability and 1900 able-bodied volunteers from all regions of Canada, committed to the idea that "SKIING AND SNOWBOARDING IS FUN FOR EVERYONE". The CADS organization has touched thousands of individuals, both on and off the slopes in its 40 year history.

Vision

CADS is recognized nationally and internationally for its leadership in alpine adaptive snow sports.

Mission

CADS provides opportunities for people with disabilities to experience the joy of participating and competing in alpine snow sports. CADS does this by developing and promoting adaptive snow sports through partnerships, training, and instructor certification programs.

For more information following the link below:

Information about CADS

Wrestling - Grade 7

When I was in Grade 7, I wanted to join a sports team at my new school - Sacred Heart High School.

I heard the announcement that there would be tryouts for the school wrestling team.  I wanted to go. The school had to call my parents as they were very worried about me doing this sport, but I wanted to try.

My mom said she was nervous about letting me do this, but she knew I was really interested and that I always pushed myself to go beyond, so she said I was allowed.

I had a great deal of fun and I was even able to take part in the grade 7 wrestling tournament that was held at another high school.  That was very exciting.  I did not win, but I had great fun and no one knew I was wrestling with a disability.

One was the highlights of the day was meeting Mr. Lee McKay one of the respected referees in the world of amateur wrestling.  He has served as a clinician or head official at many national and international championships. (the Olympics for one).

Early pictures of Luke and his accomplishments

Taking my first steps:

Practicing for speech therapy.  To exercise my tongue and lips, they started me off by blowing bubbles in speech therapy.

I loved to help the teacher when I was in Kindergarten:

Playing tennis (working on my hand/eye coordination):

Using a knife and fork: