As I write this newsletter, the Durham 2023 Ontario Parasport Games are in full swing. This is not going according to plan. I got hit with Covid 9 days ago, and I'm still fighting it. Oh well, c'est la vie!

It still ended up being one the most productive weeks around here since we started. Hired a writer, got 3 stories done (you're going to love these para-athlete profiles!) and edited 3 videos and all got posted on FB, Insta and got our toes wet with TikTok! I'm exhausted again just reading this!

Honestly, working on these athlete and coaching profiles was an amazing adventure! I entered a world which I knew nothing about and hope that I've done justice to Nico, Ramya and Mike by giving you a small glimpse into their world. We can use words like inspiring, challenging and determination, but once you enter the para-world and see first hand the challenges they deal with on a daily basis, it really makes our "normal" world a walk in the park. And we really have nothing to complain about, ever.

My toque goes off to all the athletes, parents, coaches, families traveling to Durham Region this weekend to participate in the Parasport Games. And to the organizers, led by Co-Chairs of the Games, Don Terry and Mike Frogley, with round the clock efforts to make these Games the best ever!

And to you our readers, I hope that you can get out there and cheer on these exceptional athletes and #BeTheRoar.

❤️‍🔥 these #Paramazing Games!

This newsletter is going to be a bit different than the others. It will focus on three participants of the Durham 2023 Ontario Parasport Games. To get the full story of these para-athletes,  read the story and watch the video. They complement each other.

✍🏽 Our first story is about Nico Iemma from Oshawa. He plays Boccia, and plays it really well. 🚀 At 9 years old he was the Ontario Jr. Champion. Two years later he was Ontario Jr. Para Athlete of the Year. And now has his sights set on the National Team. This young man is unbelievable!

You can read about Nico here.
Or you can watch this video right now, where Nico is teaching is Grade 9 Phys Ed class at Eastdale Collegiate, in Oshawa, the rules and intricacies of playing Boccia.

Next up is Ramya. She's a blind soccer player. ⚽ Officially known as “5-a-side” Soccer, it is played by athletes with a visual impairment. She started playing 18 months ago, and is now on the Women's National Team. How's that for a shooting star 🌠. And in her day job, she is a co-host of a daily podcast on ami.ca. And she is great! You can listen to her show here.

It's a great story. You can read all about Ramya on our website.
Or watch this video, as her team, The Pickering Football Team practiced just before the games.

Finally, we have the coach of the Abilities Centre Eagles ♿ - a junior wheelchair basketball team based out of Whitby - Mike Frogley. I don't want to say too much about Mike right here, other to say that he is a twice Gold Medal 🏅🏅Para-Olympic Champion with the Men's National Wheelchair Basketball 🏀 team, which is an amazing feet!

But rather, I want you to watch the video of Mike talking after a practice they had last week, preparing for their first ever ParaGames, and let me know what you think of Mike. In Mike's hands, these Eagles are going to soar on and off the court!
🦅 #Paramazing

You can also read Mike Frogley's full story on this post on our website.

As we start a new month, it might be a good time to embrace some of Coach Mike's requirements “to be an Eagle”

  • Be Respectful
  • Be a Good Teammate
  • Have Perseverance

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Until next time... do good!

MiKe D
Publisher