Second Co-Op Plaement

School year 2016 - 2017

In grade 12, I continued to take part in the  CO-OP program at school.  By doing CO-OP I was able to earn credits towards my high school diploma.   I completed  a two-credit CO-OP in grade 11 and knew from my CO-OP experience I wanted to do more CO-OP placements.  I knew CO-OP would help me earn valuable experience that I could take to the work force when I graduated from high school..

I did not want to go back to the grocery store where I had my placement in Grade 11 but the options I had were very limited and I stressed to my teacher that I would like to work someplace where they sold video games and electronic equipment.  My  CO-OP teacher managed to get me an interview with Vhing at Best Buy in Kanata. I was really excited to go to this interview and was ready for any question that was asked.  I did the interview and was told I could start the next week.  I was so excited as this was going to be a dream CO-OP placement. - it WAS!  I now know that I want to work with electronics and video games in the future so this placement was the best place for me.

First Co-Op Placement

School year 2015-2016

In grade 11, I wanted to take the co-op program which I knew would help prepare me for the future.  I had an interview at our local grocery store and landed my co-op at Brown's.  In my job I stocked shelves and assisted customers.

When I completed my co-op placement at the grocery store, the manager gave me a beautiful gift basket filled with lots of goodies.

Grade 10 English Award

I always try to do my best and I was really surprised when I received the award for English in Grade 10.  The school had an award's ceremony where I was presented with my certificate,

Water Skiing - trying stand up skis

Summer -2015

During the summer of 2015, I became very confident on the sit ski and so I wanted to experience water skiing standing up on skis.  This was not as easy as I thought, but I gave it a good try and the volunteers with CADS were very patient with me.  My legs were strong enough to stand on the skis but with my balance I was not able to control the skis against the strength of the water.  But I gave it a good try and I am very proud of myself for trying.

See, I did it.  I was almost doing it on my own, but I have to admit this was one of the hardest things I tried, but I am proud to say I got up on the skis and managed to stay up for a bit.

My first part-time job

November 2014

My first job was working at MacDonald's.  I prepared my resume with the help from my mom and applied for the job at our local MacDonald's.  I was nervous when I went for the interview but my brother helped prepare me by putting me through a mock interview.  My brother worked at MacDonald's and knew what type of questions I would be asked.  I worked hard to make sure I was really prepared for the position and I got the job.

Before I could start I had to go through a training period where I had to do some on-line tests for WHIMS and safety in the work place.  I did not find this hard because we had practiced these tests in my career's course at school.

Water Skiing - using a sit ski

Summer 2014

I was not sure about going out on the water but I was able to use a sit ski and I got to be very good on the water.

On the water - water skiing

Baseball

Every summer I played baseball with the Challengers Division of Nepean Little League.  We had players with all abilities and I really liked playing with this group.  I gained confidence in my hitting and my running.  I started playing when I was 5 years old.

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: