Day 69, 70, and 71 Kingston to Belleville to Cobourg to Bowmanville, Ontario

Day 69 started at Cathedral Catholic school in Kingston. I was back on shuttle bus today, with Kayla as the host. This church is actually attached to the school

The rectory

We had to be there at 7 am , long before the students get there.

Our medal bearer breifing last from 1 to 1/2 hours depending on how many people are in the group. We talk about how the day is going to well, a little logistics, a little history about Rick Hansen, and a little talk about the medal they will be carrying. Most of the time is spent sharing stories about why they are there and what it means for them to carry the medal. . It gives the medal bearers a chance to brag about themselves.

It was Halloween today, Kayla did a casual Kermit the frog. Myself I just carrying a cup around and went as a cup holder.

Our group put on a presentation about Rick and the relay for the school and the medal bearers.

Another tradition the group shot before we head out on the shuttle.

This husband and wife team are going to do 2 lengths (250 metres) each together.

On the bus, laughter, a little music, and we also play some videos about the Rick Hansen story

A shot with family and friends while we visited the...........

The revved up lab (an exercise program for people with mobility impairment) of Kinesiology and Health studies at Queens university. They even had a treadmill for wheelchairs.

Michelle (a 22 year veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces, who served in Afghanistan, as is also a nurse) is seen he with her hubby who also serves in the armed forces.

Our 2nd group-group shot in Napanee, Ontario

The meeting point

Things will be great when we're downtown

A ceremony outside of city hall

Built in 1856

Ryelie and Emily both nominated by their school (Westdale Public School)

End of Day in Belleville. Karen, who has cerebral palsy and has spent a lifetime fundraising and volunteering for numerous charities and organizations is seen here with Rick Hansen.

A great end to a great day.

Day 70 started at the Quinte secondary school in Belleville. We always try to include our medal bearers with the presentations.

This school was getting Rick's message across

The kids were pumped at the Lady of Fatima Catholic School in Belleville

Then there was Colin. He was nominated by his school (Centennial Secondary school in Belleville). He started off at the meeting very shy and quiet, but by the end he was quite the comedian, and him and I were giving each other the gears on our tastes in music. He will always be one of my favorites. What a cool kid.

Everyone at his school was out to cheer him on, it was very moving for me.

Quinte Bay in Brighton, Ontario

Jessica, nominated by East North Humberland High in Brighton. Our meeting was on one side of the school, and her starting point for her segment of the relay was way over on the other side, so our pilot vehicle gave her a ride to her spot.

We often let family ride on the shuttles, this time even her dog is allowed aboard, I was assured she was potty trained!

Beautiful downtown Cobourg, Ontario, our end of day celebration town. (population around 19,000)

The impressive Victoria town hall, built in 1860. Used also as an art gallery and concert  hall

End of day celebration site

A real treat today was the Cobourg Concert band

An Ontario theme is taking shape, another town crier.

End of day group photo

The start of day 71 was back at the Cobourg Community Center. (yes, that is a whole new bunch of medal bearers, we are at about 2000 of the 7000 that are going to carry the medal. )

School kids were bussed in for the Rick Hansen relay presentation

Our end of day celebration on Day 71 was at this arena in Bowmanville, which is actually part of Clarington, I am confused, and if you are as well, check this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clarington

Kayla and I had our meeting point at the arena. It was another super fall day, so we took the warm up dance outside.

Another first, our end of day medal bearer went out onto the ice, a request of his, Marshall is non verbal, but can speak through his special computer. He has cerebral palsy, but is a role model for his community, Here is his story:

Marshall Hohman is a young man, 19 years of age, who has Cerebral Palsy. Marshall has contributed much in the community to raise awareness of special needs, with his aim being to help people understand that kids of all abilities can be an integral part of society. Although non-verbal, he has delivered many talks at high schools, Rotary Clubs and church groups in order to get this message across.
Marshall is currently the ambassador of Campbell’s Children School within the Grandview Children’s Centre where he attended school in his early years. During a Grandview Children’s Centre golf tournament, he was invited to present a gift to the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, The Honourable David Onley. Following the tournament, Marshall received a letter from The Honourable David Only thanking him for being such a great ambassador of accessibility and inclusiveness.
Through the Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital in Toronto, Marshall is also a mentor to younger children with additional needs, helping them to become familiar with their augmentative speech devices (technology to assist with speech).
Through the University of Toronto he has been part of research studies, including one to make games more accessible to children using switches (as the game users may not have the dexterity to use their hands to function the controls, other means for accessibility are researched).
In his senior year at Clarington Central Secondary School, Marshall was chosen as Prom King, a testament to the level of acceptance Marshall enjoys from his peers.
Marshall has volunteered for other causes as well, being part of the Cancer Society Relay for Life.
Cycling is Marshall’s passion and he trains each day in order to become ready to partake in marathons/races. He is currently training for the 10 km Ride for Heart that will be held in Toronto.
Through his various activities, he is striving to make a difference in the lives of those living with disabilities and in the attitudes and knowledge of those whom they come in contact with day to day.

Yah, advertising, Canadian style.

Josh, Otto, and Kyle with ( I think it's Rob)(2nd from left). He was there on behalf of McDonalds, and all 4 of these guys worked for RBC (Royal Bank of Canada) during the Olympic Torch Relay.