Winter 2019 ParaSport Magazine

“I have found that keeping open lines of “ We as coaches see the differences, but kids
communication with both the athlete and just want to be kids. They want to play the
their parents (depending on the age of same games, do the same drills and race
the athlete) provides the best possible just like everyone else. If they think they can
outcomes. When I first started coaching do it, why do we doubt or hinder them? Is
para-athletes I wasn’t always sure what it a doubt within ourselves? We as coaches
kind of support they needed. I’ve learned have a duty to be inclusive, adaptable and
that asking my swimmers what they need push the limits for our athletes. Parents
is best. Being open to learning new things of para-athletes want the same treatment
and modifying your current coaching tac- we give everyone else. So next time, do not
tics can go a long way to making an ath- doubt them or create something special for
lete feel empowered and appreciated both them. Let them be who they are. Let them
show you what they can do.”
in and out of the pool.”
– Coach Lucy,
– Coach Michael,
Athletics, Toronto, 11 Years
Swimming, Oshawa, 4 Years

For more information on coaching athletes with a disability,
visit the Coaches Association of Ontario at www.coachesontario.ca.

ParaSport Magazine | WINTER 2019 51

PARALYMPIC SPOTLIGHT

A GUIDED TOUR

Photos by: Dave Holland/Canadian Paralympic Committee

MAC MARCOUX Makes His Mark on the Mountain

AT JUST 16 YEARS OLD this By Erin O’Sullivan of hard work, countless months of
young skier from Sault Ste-Marie, dedicated training and a determined
Ont., stood proudly at the top of a Paralympic Games at just 16 years attention to mental preparation ulti-
Russian mountain, outfitted in his old made him the youngest team mately bringing them to the podium
nation’s team colours for the first member of the Canadian Para-alpine together.
time, ready to compete in the men’s ski crew at those Games. Marcoux
visually impaired downhill event. repeated his success in 2018 with “Being on the road as a compet-
Four years later, in PyeongChang, another gold and two bronze medals itive skier since I was fourteen, it
South Korea, Mac Marcoux would at the Winter Paralympic Games in teaches you a ton about yourself and
prepare to do it again. South Korea. how to be an advocate for yourself,
to ask for help when you need it, and
Four years ago in Sochi, Russia, Competing in the downhill race, his being able to take care of yourself,”
Marcoux won gold in the visually im- gold medal run clocked in at one min- explains Marcoux. Add to that a les-
paired giant slalom event and claimed ute, 23.93 seconds. His guide in that son in discipline, with a commitment
bronze medals in both the downhill race, Jack Leitch, beamed with pride to his sport that got him up at 5:00
and super-G events. His debut in the next to Marcoux on the podium after a.m. every day for training to be on
an intense ten days of competition. the slopes for 9:00.
For both Marcoux and Leitch, these
games were the culmination of years

52 ParaSport Magazine | WINTER 2019

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“I wouldn’t be here without
the support of my family,
the community, my sponsors –
it all happened because
everyone really wanted it to.”

Marcoux likes to keep things super important to my skiing when For more on the Paralympic Games
simple on race days, no exciting it comes right down to it.” and Canada’s Pararlympians, visit
music, no meditation zones. But he the Canadian Paralympic Committee
does have good advice for those Marcoux’s brother, Billy Joe, was at www.paralympics.ca.
looking to keep their mental focus a key cog in Mac’s early success. Billy
when it comes to competition time. Joe skied with his then 14-year-old
“Keeping a routine that’s similar to younger brother as his guide when
training is, I think, the biggest thing Mac began to fly across the country
for me. We train how we race. Every to train to be the best in his sport.
morning we get up and we do our After Billy Joe suffered a back injury
warmups before we get out on the just before the Winter Paralympics in
snow or on the course, doing every- Sochi in 2014, Marcoux was guided by
thing strictly the same way. You just Robin Fémy and later by Leitch.
feel more prepared when it comes
to your race start time for sure.” For future Paralympians looking
to embark on their own athletic
When it comes to competition, journey, Marcoux advises that there
Marcoux credits many others in are no short cuts to success. Join
his life for helping him train and the sports and clubs available, work
compete at the intense level that hard and enjoy what you do.
he does and succeed. “I wouldn’t
be here without the support of my While it may not be an easy road
family, the community, my sponsors and there will be challenges, Mar-
– it all happened because everyone coux has some great advice: “Take
really wanted it to. Always remain- the losses as they come and find the
ing positive and staying focused on positives in them and work forward.
what we were trying to accomplish That’s sometimes tough to do when
made it easier on the tough days. you’re younger, but you learn that
Having outlets to reach out to is there’s always tomorrow to do
better; just keep pushing and move
forward.”

54 ParaSport Magazine | WINTER 2019

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Photos courtesy of Ontario Track 3 Ski Association

Making
Sustainability for Track 3 means focus- to children with cognitive and physi-
Every now and then a fresh ap- ing on long-term donor and funder cal disabilities, the Track 3 Board has
proach, new ideas and a strategic procurement, building amazing part- redefined their value proposition
plan help propel non-profit orga- ners in the industry and most impor- to focus their energy on Inclusion,
nizations to greater success. And tantly of all, increasing its volunteer ski ability and freedom.
success in the adaptive recreation and snowboarding instructor base.
sector, which never meets the “We want to create a culture
growing demand for programming, “Volunteers are the lifeblood of this where our tenured volunteers
means a constant search for the organization – we are putting out a are encouraged to motivate and
almighty grail of sustainability. refreshed platform to make sure empower younger volunteers,
Times are changing and in the case that the experience we offer our giving them the feeling of trust,
of Ontario Track 3 Ski Association, valued volunteer instructors fits in responsibility and satisfaction,”
with a proud 40-plus-year history with their lifestyle,” says Naomi explains Fayaz Teja, a volunteer sit
of success, the time has come to Schafler, Executive Director. ski instructor and Board Director
make some new tracks. with Track 3. “Looking at volunteer
Striking at the heart of the incredi- recruitment from the perspective of
ble impact this organization provides

56 ParaSport Magazine | WINTER 2019

“T rack 3 taught me how to fly on my own. Now
I’m back as a volunteer, mentoring young sit
skiers. What an amazing way to give back!”

– G eorge Alevizos (in yellow),
Track 3 Beaver Valley Program

NEW TRACKS
the next generation means invest- the demand of approximately 8,195
ing in strategies that capitalize on teaching hours. Ontario Track 3 Ski
their time (which is increasingly Association is always looking
more limited), skills and personal Students learn to ski and snow- for new volunteer instructor
goals.” board with adaptive equipment recruits. Experience the best
and teaching techniques. The seven days of your alpine
Ontario Track 3 Ski Association physical health and social benefits season by joining us for a fun-
started out with a few committed are huge, appreciated by every filled skiing or snowboarding
volunteers who wanted to provide family in the program. But the more adventure with our athletes.
a ski experience for children with important successes come with
physical disabilities. Over 40 years building confidence and indepen- Visit www.Track3.org for
later, this charitable organization dence. Those intangible benefits, details or call the Central
is still making magic on the snowy which appeal to student athletes Office: 416-233-3872.
hills at many of Ontario’s private ski and volunteer instructors alike, are
resorts. More than 330 instructors where the true path to inclusion, ParaSport Magazine | WINTER 2019 57
every season are required to fulfill ability and freedom lie.

ACTIVE LIVING

PDAaRnAceSport

Rolls into Canada

By Iris Kulbatski, PhD

As the days get shorter, the tempera- What do a movement therapist, is governed by the International
ture drops, and we wind down after physiotherapist, physiatrist, profes- Paralympic Committee, and orga-
a busy summer, new opportunities to sional choreographer, champion- nized by the World Para DanceSport
connect and turn up the heat pres- ship-level Ballroom and Latin dance Technical Committee. A popular sport
ent themselves. WHEEL DANCE is instructor, sports classifier, and practiced in many countries, it incor-
excited to kick off our new season medical researcher have in com- porates the grace, elegance, physical
with new programs and events for mon? Well… they’re all part of a stamina and artistry of competitive
people of all ages and abilities! We growing team of professionals who partner dance. Athletes can compete
hope you’ll take the time to get to are paving the way for Para Dance- as a duo couple (two wheelchair danc-
know us, learn about our activities, Sport in Canada. ers), combi (one wheelchair dancer
and get involved in our ongoing and and one standing partner), group
upcoming classes and events. Though not an official sport on the (wheelchair dancers only or with
Paralympic program, Para DanceSport

ParaSport Magazine | WINTER 2019 59

Our objective is to help spread Para
DanceSport across the province and
country, at a level of popularity similar
to that of other regions, such as
Europe. Our classes are subsidized, re-
moving the financial barriers to dance
that often prevent people from pursu-
ing lessons. We believe that dance is
for every *body* and its social, psycho-
logical and physical benefits should be
universally accessible.

standing partners), formation (four to milestone that further supports our A Bit About Classtime
eight couples), or single (one wheel- efforts to promote sports and physical Meeting weekly in a quiet suburb of
chair dancer). Dance genres focus activity to individuals with disabilities. Toronto, WHEEL DANCE classes are
predominantly on Ballroom and Latin led by various professionals including
dance, with additional opportunities WHEEL DANCE is proud to be train- a movement therapist, a champion-
for freestyle show dances that include ing dancers, instructors and classifiers, ship-level Ballroom and Latin dance
a range of other dance genres. as well as organizing competitions instructor, a professional choreogra-
and workshops, thereby building the pher, a physiotherapist, and others.
Generously funded by the Ontario infrastructure and governance of Para Each instructor brings unique skills and
Trillium Foundation since 2014, DanceSport from the ground up. For experience, encouraging our dancers
WHEEL DANCE is a Canadian non-prof- example, WHEEL DANCE has trained to learn new athletic and artistic skills,
it that provides subsidized social and the first Canadian Para DanceSport and develop their potential. Through
competitive wheelchair Ballroom and classifiers, developed internationally- improvisation, range of motion ex-
Latin dance classes to wheelchair us- recognized classification training ercises, interactive warm-ups, tech-
ers and their friends, family, and com- materials, and supported the training niques for improving body awareness
munity members. WHEEL DANCE is of the first internationally-recognized and movement vocabulary, freestyle
the national body for Para DanceSport World Para DanceSport classifier in dancing, basic and advanced Ballroom
in Canada recognized by Canada Danc- Canada and North America. and Latin dance techniques, or struc-
eSport and the World DanceSport tured choreographies – the goal is to
Federation. More recently, WHEEL Above all, we are committed to in- engage, be active and have fun!
DANCE has become an official partner troducing as many people as possible
of ParaSport® Ontario, an exciting to the joy of dance, by providing social Our classes include private sessions,
and competitive dance opportunities. social group lessons, and competitive-
60 ParaSport Magazine | WINTER 2019 level group and private classes. Wheth-
er you’re interested in learning and
performing a specific choreography,
improving your social dance skills for
clubs, parties, and weddings, under-
standing how to connect to your part-
ner and to the music in a fun and social
atmosphere, or learning Ballroom and
Latin dance technique for performance
and competition, WHEEL DANCE has a
class to suit your goals.

Partner dancing has many ben-
efits, including improved strength,
posture, coordination, endurance,
balance, flexibility, range of motion,
mood, stress management, confi-
dence, memory, concentration and
general fitness. As a social activity,
wheelchair partner dancing encour-
ages new friendships and promotes
understanding and communication

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A member of

[email protected] www.drivelab.ca

between people with and without Newcomer, Jane Warner, joined When surveyed about how participat-
disabilities. Wheelchair dancers and our program last fall after attending ing in WHEEL DANCE contributes to
their standing partners have formed our annual competition as a specta- their overall physical and emotional
unique, long-term connections and tor. After six months she performed well-being, our participants expressed
friendships on and off the dance her debut choreography at Beyond the following:
floor, creating a community of caring, Ballroom. When asked how she feels
warmth, encouragement, support about dance, Jane shared: “When I “I often visit the community center
and inclusivity. am dancing it is two hours of letting gym. I sweat more at WHEEL DANCE.”
go of any stress or worries that I have,
Competitions and Dancers work or home. I just dance. I have “Keeps me active and lets me dance
In 2016, in collaboration with always wanted to dance and have with my wife.”
Ontario DanceSport and Canada found a place that is welcoming and
DanceSport, WHEEL DANCE ran has given me the freedom to express “It’s fun, interactive and makes me
the first annual Para DanceSport myself as a dancer.” feel good. I’ve developed more
competition in North America, self-confidence since I’ve started.”
attracting participants from Canada, WHEEL DANCE is committed to
Mexico and the United States. Our providing opportunities for individ- “My core as well as my arms and
third annual Competition/Showcase uals to push beyond their perceived upper body strength has increased
at the Ontario Open Championships limitations by learning to relate to significantly.”
took place in October 2018 and themselves, their wheelchairs, and
featured the excitement and beauty their community in new ways. We “Closer connection with my wife/
of wheelchair Ballroom and Latin love hearing from you, so if you have partner.”
dance sportsmanship and entertain- any questions, suggestions, or would
ment. It marked a major milestone just like to say hello, feel free to get in “I have become stronger and can turn
for both WHEEL DANCE and Para touch online or by phone. the upper part of my body more than
DanceSport in Canada as a whole, as I used to.”
WHEEL DANCE, Canada DanceSport The WHEEL DANCE Family
and Ontario DanceSport celebrated www.wheeldance.ca “Makes me feel more confident and
the receipt of a new collaborative www.facebook.com/wheeldance like I can participate more in social
Grow Grant from the Ontario www.twitter.com/WHEEL_DANCE gatherings.”
Trillium Foundation. T: 647-297-3198
E: [email protected] “Gives me better posture, endurance
and strength.”
About the Author: Dr. Iris Kulbatski is Founder and Executive Director of WHEEL
DANCE. She holds a PhD in Medical Science, with a specialization in spinal cord “Feeling of accomplishment, happier
regeneration. She is grateful to be a part of the WHEEL DANCE community and for with myself and with being able to
the opportunity to bring awareness to issues of accessibility and inclusivity. share with others.”

62 ParaSport Magazine | WINTER 2019 “Increases stamina, helps with breath-
ing, flexibility, circulation.”

“WHEEL DANCE has become family
and it’s always great to see everyone
and enjoy our time together.”

“It gives me a sense of inclusion and
pride and allows me to forget every-
thing and just enjoy the moment.”

“Makes me feel happy.”

Supporting Athletes
Wherever Their Dreams
Take Them

MNP is celebrating 60 years of our clients success.
MNP has been recognized as one of the ‘Best Employers in Canada’ for 11 years in a row.
MNP is proud to support athletes and build communities as diverse as the clients they serve.

Photo: Matthew Murnaghan/Canadian Paralympic Committee

EQUIPMENT

PEDAL POWER

Braced for Success
with a Custom
Orthotic Device

By Emma Holmes

From a rocky recovery after a cycling
accident, to rocking the para-cycling
world on her custom-made trike,
SHELLEY GAUTIER IS GOING FOR
PARALYMPIC GOLD IN TOKYO 2020.

Shelley Gautier’s road to becoming
a renowned para-cycling champion
began unexpectedly 17 years ago.
An avid mountain biking racer, she
crashed her bike while holidaying in
Vermont, suffering a severe brain in-
jury. She was in a coma for six weeks,
which left her with hemiplegia, or
one-sided paralysis, affecting the right
side of her body.

An arduous six months in a rehab
hospital followed, made all the more
difficult by the fact that the staff at
the hospital didn’t quite know what
to do with her. “I was wearing a brace
from Shoppers, one designed for a
sprained ankle, which hardly ad-
dressed my mobility issues,” Gautier
recalled. “Finally Pat McKee, an
Associate Professor Emerita at the
University of Toronto, referred me to
Gordon Ruder, a certified orthotist
at Boundless Biomechanical Bracing.

She said this was someone who could shifters and brakes are all on the left Gautier uses for competition is a
help me.” side of the trike. Although she has wrist-hand-orthosis (WHO), which
limited movement in her affected allows her to steer with her affected
It helped that Ruder was a com- right leg, she can still use that leg to right arm. This means she doesn’t
petitive cyclist as well; it gave him a pedal the trike. have to rely solely on her left hand to
unique skill set, an understanding of brake and steer at the same time. “It
the elements integral to both custom This is where her specially- keeps my wrist straight in competi-
orthotics and competitive cycling. designed orthotic device comes in. tion,” she stated. “If I don’t bend my
“My coach Eric Van den Eynde came wrist, it makes it easier to grab the
The first step in Ruder’s treatment up with what I needed in terms of an handlebar.”
plan was to get Gautier back to inde- orthosis for racing,” she explained.
pendent living with an ankle-foot-or- “Using that knowledge, Gord took it With many wins behind her, Gautier
thosis (AFO). This is a brace that from there.” has achieved international success,
helps to control the position and receiving major recognition in 2015
motion of the ankle, and is one that Ruder created a rigid racing ankle- when she was nominated for the pres-
Gautier still wears daily. With mobili- foot-orthosis (AFO) that connects tigious Laureus World Sportsperson
ty on her right side partially restored, directly to the pedal so there is no of the Year with a Disability Award.
it was back to her dream of racing unwanted leg movement. “This A silver medalist at the Guadalajara
competitively. reduces inefficient movement in the 2011 Parapan American Games, she
leg as much as possible,” he explained. went on to win a bronze medal at the
Gautier returned to racing within “So whatever power Shelley has in her Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. Currently
a year of her accident, using a spe- affected leg can now be dedicated to she is training for the 2020 Paralympic
cially-modified tricycle designed to moving herself forward.” Games in Japan with a new tricycle,
increase stability. Tricycle athletes which will entail accommodations to
are divided into two classes, T1 and For Gautier, the rigid AFO allows her brace.
T2. Gautier competes in the TI class her to produce a full circle all the
for athletes with more significant way without stopping in her racing “I’m using a tricycle that’s two inch-
co-ordination difficulties and greater loop, which is essential to qualify for es shorter than the one I used in the
loss of muscle power than those in the trials. “With the AFO, I don’t stop, previous Paralympic Games. I’m riding
the T2 class. Since Gautier cannot use and that helps me shave milliseconds without a cross bar. Gord is making
her right hand, her custom tricycle off of my time,” she enthused. the brace modifications to accommo-
has been adapted so that the gears, date these changes,“ says Gautier.
Another orthotic device that
When not training for competi-
tions, Gautier can be found wheeling
around the city on her tricycle. She
also launched the Shelley Gautier
Foundation in 2014, and donates her
time to different programs at the
University of Toronto, including the
anatomy and occupational therapy
departments. And yet, while she is
proud of her athletic achievements,
she is also a person who fully em-
braces the smaller everyday plea-
sures in life.

“It’s really important that people
understand what orthotic devices
are,” she emphasized. “Yes, my
braces allow me to win races, but
they also allow me to get out of the
house and interact with my com-
munity. People with mobility issues
can become isolated, so we need to
get out there, be social and do the
things we love.”

ParaSport Magazine | WINTER 2019 65

Ontario Cerebral Palsy Sports Association

Sport and physical activity help people of all abilities
reach their full potential in life.

To support this philosophy, OCPSA, the governing body for the sport of
boccia in Ontario, has developed the Boccia Bratz program.
Boccia Bratz is an 8-session program led by trained instructors.
Teachers, coaches, volunteers or community recreation leaders
can deliver this inclusive program… training session, lesson workbook
and equipment kit included!
It’s great for therapeutic settings, summer camps, schools, municipal
programs and more!

Does the Boccia Bratz
program sound right for
you?! Visit www.ocpsa.com
for more information and
apply to get involved!

Stand Up and Play

The ParaGolfer cart is now available in Canada.

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