Checking in with Paralympians: Athletes making a difference

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: 

Player’s Own Voice on CBC Sports online featured Erica Gavel, a member of Canada’s women’s wheelchair basketball team and the Canadian Paralympic Athletes’ Council.

Thanks⁦⁩ ⁦@cbcsports⁩ ⁦@CBCOlympics⁩!!

Can’t wait for this dinner party…. ⁦@bigdallyboy⁩ ⁦⁦@LisaThomaidis⁩ ⁦@HLoganSprenger1⁩ ⁦@Cathgd⁩ ⁦@JLo⁩ ⁦@MichelleObama⁩ ⁦@KamalaHarris⁩ https://t.co/i9JlSS6fpO

— Erica Gavel (@EricaGavel) February 28, 2021

Trans Canada Trail and AccessNow announced last week they are working together with the Canadian Paralympic Committee and that several Para athletes are helping to map the accessibility of trails across the country. The Calgary Herald talked to Canada’s Para ice hockey team member Cody Dolan about his involvement in the project. 

Para-athletes working with Trans Canada Trail to improve accessibility across the network https://t.co/vyzVc6hZrQ

— Calgary Herald (@calgaryherald) February 26, 2021

Tony Walby, chair of the Canadian Paralympic Athletes’ Council discussed his Para judo career and post-sport goals with Ottawa Sports Pages.

I spoke with @JudoWalby
about his experiences as a para-athlete and why it made him want to give back through his work with the @CDNParalympicshttps://t.co/OS2cITUZ9M

— Stuart Miller-Davis (@StumillerDavis) February 26, 2021

Last week, Canadian Para ice hockey star Tyler McGregor raised funds for the Terry Fox Foundation by skating 25 kilometres in his sled. His fundraising was featured on Hockey Night in Canada.

Canadian Paralympian Tyler McGregor picks up where Terry Fox left off with the Sledge Skate of Hope, skating 25km to raise funds for cancer research all while preparing for Beijing 2022

Watch more: https://t.co/9Y8wNroaLC #TerryPledge4Sledge @tylermcgregor08 pic.twitter.com/K3ghrf2gQ1

— Hockey Night in Canada (@hockeynight) February 19, 2021

The PEI Archery Association invited local wounded or disabled veterans to take aim at the sport of Para archery this past weekend. The initiative proved to be a great success with some expected to pursue the sport further.

Veterans take a shot at ‘accessible’ sport of archery https://t.co/V4nkhpbVXX #pei pic.twitter.com/HvJOOcMDPZ

— CBC P.E.I. (@CBCPEI) February 28, 2021

Another member of the women’s wheelchair basketball team was in the spotlight last week as Élodie Tessier was a guest on Canal M Radio’s Les passions de Camilles.  

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