Checking in with Paralympians: Achievements on and off the field

Canada’s Paralympians are staying busy, getting back to training, sharing their stories and opinions on social media, and more. We will check in regularly with what the nation’s Para athletes have been up to and share some of the top highlights here. 

Here’s a quick look at some recent updates: 

Dr. Robert Steadward of Edmonton, a founding member of the International Paralympic Committee and its first president, was promoted to Companion of the Order of Canada, as announced by Gov. Gen. Julie Payette at the end of the year. Dr. Steadward, who was originally appointed to Officer of the Order of Canada in 1999, now holds the Order’s highest honour. The Order recognizes “people whose service shapes our society, whose innovations ignite our imaginations and whose compassion unites our communities,” according to a statement from the Office of the Secretary of the Governor General.

Congratulations to Dr Bob Steadward on receiving the Companion of the Order of Canada, the highest order of achievement, in recognition of his lifelong dedication to propelling the Paralympic Movement forward on a global scale. @bob_drbob
Read more https://t.co/aSI1EyjWPc

— Paralympic Games (@Paralympics) January 1, 2021

CBC.ca looked back at some of the biggest stories of 2020 in Paralympic sport. There were some great achievements and some game-changing moments in an unusual year.

From fierce comebacks to making history, the Paralympic movement had some game-changing moments in 2020

Check them all out: https://t.co/CiNYf2ZyFk

— CBC Olympics (@CBCOlympics) January 1, 2021

Tristen Chernove and Ross Wilson, both multiple Paralympic Games medallists in Para cycling, took on a unique and exciting challenge over the holidays: vEveresting. From the safety of their homes, they virtually ascended hills on their stationary bikes until they reached the equivalent height of Mount Everest – 8,848 metres. In doing so, the pair raised money for the Paralympic Foundation of Canada to give more people with a disability the opportunity to try sport.   

I finished. Very happy and appreciative of all the support. You can still support @CDNParalympics at https://t.co/s7yx7q1nQ2 and if you like the shirt get ahold of @The_PRW (I was fortunate to get to ride a custom build by them today ) pic.twitter.com/ANW7Au7NCw

— Ross Wilson (@88rossco) December 28, 2020

‘’Everybody deserves to feel comfortable and sexy,’’ says aspiring Paralympian Anthony Lue in a feature by Global Calgary about IZ Adaptive, which produces adaptive clothing for people with a disability.

Canada’s Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games chef de mission Stephanie Dixon was among the guests in the fifth and final episode of CBC’s “Where Do We Go From Here’’ which discussed the ‘’State of Sport in Canada’’ and was hosted by Scott Russell.