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this is just a test because my blog doesn't look right to me!!

Ok here's the scoop!!

As you know, whoever reads these blogs will remember me talking about Braden's interview at ROger's cable TV. He was trying to get a co-op placement there and get the opportunity to work in the editing department. Well, the interview went great..Braden was thrilled, they said that his resume was impressive and by meeting him and having the chance to talk with him they found him inspiring!! Ya think??
We all thought he had the job, I did kind of have a feeling that something wasn't right because during the interview Braden said they asked him alot of questions about his wheelchair and the accessibilty in the building. Braden assured them that he would be fine and it wasn't going to be an issue. It still made me nervous for him, Paul and I have had way to much experience dealing with accessibility issues and at times even discrimination..something didn't feel right! On Friday the teacher told Braden that unfortunately he didn't get the job.. they had said that they were worried about his safety because the whole department was being revamped or reorganized and this included new staff. Bradens teacher felt terrible, she assured him that it wasn't his lack of ability or knowledge but they simply said something about it being a safety issue and they wouldn't have someone available for him to shadow. With all the excuses we have heard of the years...that one was a common one, the old "safety" argument. We are not new to this one!! Be prepared Rogers becasue that just screams discrimination..what a better way to not have to deal with the added issues Braden would bring to the job. We have fought this one once and were prepared to fight it again. A few years back when Braden was going to be starting at St. Andrew's the school board just didn't want to accomadate him. They would have to put a lift in the school and add a ramp..guess what?? That would cost money...and god for bid the school board spend a few dollars for a child to attend school with all the friends he has know for 6 years..his whole support system ripped away from him..all because he couldn't walk up a flight of stairs! We fought, and fought that school board untill it affected our whole world, including our marriage. We had a very unhappy child, a child who hit a deep depression, was already struggling to fit in, trying to learn how to keep up with all his buddies who were becoming hockey players, athletes and had new found independence about them. The school board didn't care, they didn't care that our world was falling apart, we were no longer functioning as a family, we were no longer functioning as a united front. It was destroying us!
Finally after many shed tears, late sleepless nights and agonizing conversations with a child who only wanted to be with his friends..we met a man who changed everything! Prayers once again...answered!! He was a writer here in Cambridge who did stories for people with disabilites, bringing attention to human rights issue's. He found us, and called one afternoon and asked if he could write a story to Kitchener Record, we couldn't have said YES quick enough. He had warned us that it might get nasty..the school board doesn't like to be put in these positions..certainly wasn't going to look good for them! This wonderful man, phoned the board, phoned the part of the government who deals with human rights, he talked with physically challenged friends who live if Toronto, he called the fire department. You see, the reason why he called the fire dept was because the school board had told us that the fire dept said Braden could not go to St. Andrew's.They felt that he would be a "saftey hazard". So you can see how, Rogers telling us that Braden would be a "safety hazard" only fueled the fire! I saw red..no kidding, I was furious and ready to kill someone!(not literally) As it turned out, the fire dept never said that to the school, they had lied...it was not an issue for him to go there! The day before the article was to be published, we got a phone call from the superintendent of the Waterloo board of education, she simply asked "What can we do for you?" It was one of the best days of my life. Braden did have to attend an "Orthopedic" school for one year while we battled, not only did we battle but his friends did as well, they had petitions and arguments just as strong as ours. It was a lesson in life for all these children that I am sure they will never forget, who would have thought in 2005 we would be fighting a humans right issue? We fought, we argued, we cried, we cheered and then...WE won!! They actually added a ramp, and even a chair lift to the school, the teachers were thrilled. They were so happy to have Braden become part of their Spartan spirit. Braden flourished those few years, he was part of the Athletics club, and he got his friends and support back!
After hearing that from Roger's..I was really upset, as was Paul and Braden. Although I so desperately wanted to start my battle, make some phone calls. I had come to a harsh reality that these problems are starting to become Braden's to fight. It was so difficult to sit back and only hope that we have given Braden all the tools he would need to investigate and challenge the reason's he was given. I could not do it, it is not my fight anymore..he is becoming a man, he needs to learn..unfortunately this is his reality and this is only one of the many that he will be up against.
I went home, back to mom and dad's house just to calm down. My parents agreed with our decision to let Braden deal with it...as hard as it was! To us this was discrimination, they didn't want to accomadate him...they would have been better to just tell him he didn't have enough experience, that would have been easier to accept. Don't pull the old "saftey hazard" card, that won't work for us!!
Braden went back to school that afternoon very prepared, he had a backbone, he had some questions and he had a mission. After questioning again the teacher, he heard things differently. Apparently Rogers Cable wasn't going to be having any co-op student this term because of the changes in the office. We still are a little unclear about the whole statement they made regarding the safety controversy..the important thing though is that Braden feels ok about it. He did feel better after hearing that, and so did we! It still doesn't sound right, and we have to believe that this is the truth. Braden is still upset he was really looking forward to this placement..as it turns out the lesson in life for him was..you can't always get what you want! Its a tough lesson...he doesn't take it too lightly! LOL..neither do I!!

Lock down.

What a day today!! We had plans to head to Toronto again to do some shopping for Greece. I told Kailey that I was going to pick her up at 1:30 from school. ALl was going well..untill I pulled up to the school and noticed 2 cop cars there with 2 men in custody. As i looked closer I saw that the police were taking pictures of weapons on the front lawn of the school. There was hammers, knife and many beer bottles. I also saw a few teachers standing outside. I pretty much knew that something has gone down, so I waited patiently untill the custodian unlocked the front doors and then they let some people out of the school. I had to go in to get Kailey, I chose not to ask questions in the office, Kailey looked like she just wanted to get out of the school ASAP! I took her and we left. Once in the car she had told me they had a lockdown due to some drunk men outside banging on the doors of the school trying to get in. They approached two girls who were returning to the school from thier lunch break and demanded that these girls get them into the school. WOW..how scary is that?? Apparently the kids were taken to the cafeteria, the teachers turned the lights off and the kids had to sit quietly in the dark until the police called in to say the incident had been cleared. COuld you imagine if I would have been a half hour earlier?? The panic of my child in that school, terrified and scared that something bad was going to happen? It was upsetting, and I am sure all of the kids were frightened and nervous. Things turned out fine, the guys were caught and taken to jail, no one was harmed, just shaken! I am glad today is done, shopping was great! We got what we needed and had lots of laughs with COlleen and Kayla!

Dear John,

Tonight I went to the movies with two great friends. These ladies have always been close aquaitances just untill the past couple years, we have become closer. It's refreshing being with them, so many laughs, lots of good conversation, and genuinly we enjoy eachothers company. Unfortunatley sometimes women can be very catty, phoney, and at times down right rude. These two friends are honest, caring and really do want nothing but the best for eachother. I love spending time with them.
So this evening we saw the movie Dear John, it was definately a movie about the choices we make in life and then having to live with the consequences. I know that everyone comes to crossroads in their lives at one time or another, and you try to look down each path to see what lies before you. Uncertainty is always about half way down the path...you just hope that you've made the right decision and then make the best of it. The movie was surprising, not at all what I had expected. I had hoped for a wonderful love story but unfortunately its a story about two people who are in love with one another but decide to take seperate paths, it was sad to see the love that they have for one another...why do people do that? Why not, make it simple? Just be together, put eachother first. People make so many decisions based on what others think they should do. Its sad, be yourself, live for yourself..it's only you that you have to answer too...you're the one accountable!!

They're Here!!

Yeah, my boots arrived yesterday! I was so excited and I have already gotten 3 positive comments on them. I look adorable in them, they are so comfortable...its hard to take them off!! Colleen, Kayla, Kailey and I are going out on Friday to shop for Greece.We all need to get some more comfy clothes. I do believe we all want more LuLuLemons...this way we can roll them up and pack them small! They would work perfect, then it leaves me more room for my boots! It is getting so exciting, we actually leave next Friday, can you believe that?? Nothing else really going on, met a friend for coffee this evening, lots of chatting...not always good. I know she will be fine, but I still worry about her. She needs to find strength and make some harsh, realistic decisions..for her, no body else but her! I have faith that she will pull through this just fine, whatever her choices are..and of course I will always be beside her! Well, my blessings to my humble blog readers..wishing you all happiness as you go about your busy days tomorrow!! Take a good luck at my boots....aren't they gorgeous!! LOL..

Provincial power...Yes We Can!!

Here's my girl in all her glory!! She is number 6, and in the bottom right she is standing beside her forward partner Amanda..these girls played amazing together, their chemistry on the ice was outstanding! Kailey will miss her this coming year..i know she will secretly wait for Amanda in the next coming years! Hopefully one day they will be partners again!! These pictures are a collage of the past weekend in Ottawa!

I just have to share with you all the events of this past weekend! It started out on Wednesday afternoon when Michelle and Carrigan picked us up, we were so excited. The music was on, the comfy clothes were on, nothing more needed!! Our drive of course included the many laughs we had and of course getting lost briefly with one cut off too early. Besides that mishap I felt good, things were going great..awesome start to the weekend! That was untill Kailey had a question, which needed to be answered ASAP..I knew that I was in trouble when Kailey asked me what "dry humping" was?? I nearly died, thank god I was NOT driving..MIchelle naturally had the biggest laugh so I kindly asked her to expain it to Kailey..since it was so funny! Michelle obliged, and began to explain how you keep your clothes on and..well..you know!! So Kailey asks is it kind of like "thrusting" (again I almost died, forgetting that Kailey is going into grade 9) and Michelle oh so eliquently agreed. Completely satisfied with the explaination Kailey shifted back into her seat, content with the new knowledge she had just learned. From here I knew what this weekend was going to be like!
Thursdays games were not strong and we had no wins, the coach reminded the girls to follow their schedules, keep positive and get ready for the opening ceremonies for the provincial events. The girls suited up, bob sleds, outfits and the torch all in check..parents were so impressed! The theme for the ceremonies was the olympics so our girls decided to be the Canadian bob sled team..they looked wonderful. I can honestly say that they rocked this event, definately the best outfits there!

The opening night was electrifying...the girls paraded proudly, not necessarily due to their year stat's..but because they did their best!! Unfortunately they did not have a successful year in the scoreboard, they had many goals and many were reached..for whatever reason their talent did not show this particulair weekend. Many of the teams that they played, these group of girls have beaten at one time or another..and if they didn't win against a team the score was never a blow out! They are a competative team and more than capable of playing at this level successfully. Something that many who watch and don't seem to realize is that this team lost alot of talent last year..unfortunately the people who left the team felt that dropping to a lower level and beating those teams were more important that pushing themselves to the limits. They didn't believe in challenging themselves, in progressing, in wanting to play because they love the game..they only wanted to play in hopes of winning. Yes of course that is the goal at the end of a game..to win! Especially when you are an athlete..but more importantly as an athelet you must have those years to grow, to assert themselves to play at a harder level to learn and push your own inner desires to limits you never knew you had. This team stuggled this year being pulled together with only 5 core girls who have played together for at least 3 years, and the rest of the girls were pulled from 5 different teams at 3 different levels...those were obstacles in themselves, to overcome that this year alone is a triumph!!
This year we shared a hotel with the Provincial petite team, those girls are 10 and 11 years old..some maybe 9 years. Anyways this team is having a very successful year and did end up winning the gold at the Provincials..so congratualtions to them!! Way to go Turbo's! These young girls had the chance to hang out a bit with the older girls..so they thought that was pretty cool. This one evening the parents were down in the lobby having some drinks, watching the olympics and just unwinding from the days events. All of a sudden 2 of the younger girls come running downstairs to excitingly tell their parents that they are playing the best game EVER with the Tween's!! So one of the mom's ask, "well what game?" Her cute little girl replies.."Suck and Blow!!" Enough said!
The mom immediately thinks she has heard wrong and asks her daughter to repeat herself..Michelle and I hear the conversation and sense the horror in the mom's voice! So, we had to jump in and explain the game to her and tell her that it's a bit of an intimate game...but its harmless. The purpose of the game is one girl starts out with the hotel key (or credit card)stuck to her mouth while sucking in to cause suction, then the next girl leans into her and tries to remove the card with her mouth while sucking in as hard as she can...while the other girl slighty blows the card to her..so hard to explain, and it sounds so wrong..lol, but its a game of today..what can we do?? The mom then said that learning this game was the highlight of her little girls weekend and that winning the gold medal was a close second to that game!! LOL..
There were many more moments like this with the parents, some table dancing, some 80's music game..name that tune? There was drinking, laughing, sexual enuendo's..but believe me..there was NO suck and blow!! We had a great time, I am going to miss this group..these girls are fiercly bonded with love, respect and friendships that will last forever, and no gold medal is worth that!!

March 1st...time is flying!

Can you belive that it is March 1st? It is so exciting to have the days longer and there is a hint of warmth beginning in the air! Will it last? Or do you think we will have another blast of winter? I have so much to Blog about, but today was a day of nothing..I didn't move! My whole body ached from the long car ride yesterday..I let Kailey sleep in this morning then took her to school for around 10:30, she looked like she had been beaten by a ringette stick..just so tired!! Tonight we watched the Bachelor..I must admit that I was shocked he picked Veinna?? What the hell is that? I guess he must see something in her...I am sure behind closed doors she is wonderful..I hope they last!! Time will tell! Ally is going to be the new bachelorette...that will be fun. Tomorrow I will be blogging about our trip to Ottawa and all the fun, excitment, tears, sweat and love these girls have shared, it was a wonderful time...I will miss this team alot! The best group of girls....EVER!!
I am off to bed..its late and I should have been in bed at least an hour ago! I am starting to feel overwhelmed, there is so much to do and I have alot on my mind! Keep it simple...thats my moto!! Good night humble readers..god bless!!