Checking in with Paralympians: Para athletes celebrates Mother’s Day

Canada’s Paralympians are staying busy, 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: 

Many Canadian Paralympic athletes paid tribute on Sunday for Mother’s Day, including Liam Hickey, Katarina Roxon, Danielle Kisser, Lowell Taylor and Carla Qualtrough.

As the mother of a child with a disability, my mom fought for my rights and challenged any system that excluded me. Her optimism and kindness always gave me hope. She sacrificed so much for my brother and I – always with a smile on her face. Thanks, Mom. Happy Mothers Day! pic.twitter.com/a2TjLQqbwN

— Carla Qualtrough (@CQualtro) May 9, 2021

Happy Mother’s Day to the most amazing, strong, selfless person I know. Thank you for everything you do for our family. Love you! pic.twitter.com/fYny5c65uN

— Liam Hickey (@lhickey23) May 9, 2021

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Katarina M Roxon ONL (@katarinaroxon)

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Danielle Kisser (@dee_kisser)

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Julie and Lowell Taylor (@julielowellcan)

The big news last week was that Pfizer and BioNTech will be donating COVID-19 doses to inoculate athletes and officials preparing for the Tokyo Games.

Canadian Paralympic Athletes’ Council member and wheelchair basketball player Erica Gavel as well as sprinter Marissa Papaconstantinou were interviewed in major news stories.
 

Canadian athletes, coaches applaud news of vaccine doses ahead of Tokyo, saying the safer the Games the better for everyone https://t.co/L0mD3JsMJu via @cp24

— Lori Ewing (@Ewingsports) May 6, 2021

Thanks @TorontoStar @lauraarmy for the article!

Vaccines are on the way for Canada’s athletes, who continue to train for Tokyo under ‘stressful’ circumstances https://t.co/2HUFLEgxOn via @torontostar

— Erica Gavel (@EricaGavel) May 9, 2021

Canadian Para rowers Jeremy Hall and Jessye Brockway are training hard in Victoria for a World Cup event in June. They need a top two finish to qualify for the Paralympic Games.

Two Island athletes are rowing their way toward the Tokyo Olympics. https://t.co/9tTQS5stAU

— CTV News Vancouver Island (@CTVNewsVI) May 7, 2021

Canada’s top boccia player Alison Levine was featured on RDS during this year’s Défi Sportif which was held virtually.

La résilience de Alison Levine https://t.co/ulY8PTIXZ0

— Alison Levine (@BocciaAlison) May 1, 2021