CF program unites soldiers and Paralympic athletes

Vancouver, BC — Eighteen members from the Soldier On program embarked on a nine-day, whirlwind tour of the Vancouver 2010 Paralympics with their families March 9.

The group planned to get the full Paralympic experience as they started the week off with a wheelchair curling clinic. The clinic was held at the Vancouver Curling Club and the group picked up some tips from one of the best wheelchair curlers in the world.

Wheelchair curling clinic
Chris Daw was the skip for Canada’s wheelchair curling team, which won gold, at the Torino 2006 Paralympic Winter Games. Daw spent the morning with the group explaining the fundamentals of the game and giving everyone a chance to send a few rocks down the ice.

“It’s good to get back with soldiers again and have a little camaraderie,” said Sergeant (ret) Steve Daniel of Soldier On.

The Soldier On program, and the complementary Soldier On Fund, aims to encourage ill and injured Canadian Forces personnel to attain and maintain a healthy and active lifestyle.

General Motors Place was the scene where both the men’s and women’s Olympic hockey teams won gold, so there was no better place for the Soldier On crew to try out the sport of sledge hockey. The group was joined on the ice by Minister of National Defence Peter MacKay, along with some of their counterparts from Great Britain, who belong to the Battle Back program.

Bragging rights
The friendly clinic soon turned into a pick-up game as the Soldier On group battled their British rivals. No punches were pulled in the fight for bragging rights. There were some big goals and a few big hits, including a couple dished out by the British group to Minister MacKay. After all was said and done, the Canadians were able to pull off a win.

The highlight of the trip for the participants was attending the Paralympic opening ceremony in which two members of the Soldier On program played a very important role. Sergeant Karen McCoy and Master Corporal Mike Trauner raised the Paralympic flag in front of more than 60,000 people at BC Place stadium.

Unique experience
The Soldier On group also spent time as spectators of Paralympic events in Whistler and Vancouver. Four members were the guests of the Prime Minister Stephen Harper for the opening sledge hockey game between Canada and Italy.

“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It’s fantastic; I never thought I’d have the chance to experience the Olympics,” said MCpl Trauner.

Article and photos by Sgt Dan Milburn.
Sgt Milburn is a reporter with Army News, Edmonton.