WHISTLER!!!

It's been a while since I made a post, partly because it's felt like summer and so I've been outside a lot, but also because I have been traveling a little bit.

A group of us took a trip to Buffalo, to take in a couple hockey games, spend some time with family, and attempt to energize the Sabres as they run into the playoffs.

Continuing with my skiing, had a wonderful opportunity to check out Whistler, and its awesome adaptive ski program. Spent a week out there, and three full days on the slopes, attempting to master the bunny hill. Near solo missions were accomplished. The photos below are from the Wednesday and the great sunny, groomed conditions we had. We also skied the Monday and Friday, but because of large snow falls the hill was not as friendly to my sit ski.

Whistler is quite the place and I would recommend it to everyone, just a tad on the pricey side!

We are also running a NHL playoff draft as a fundraiser to potentially purchase a sit ski, like the one pictured below! Deadline for entry is this Friday, if you would like to take part email me at joebanchy@hotmail.com

Back to the hill!

This past saturday I had the opportunity to trying skiing. A guy I met this past summer through a common friend skis and got a hold of me to come out to try it. It was a great fundraiser put on by the Regina Adaptive ski program out at Mission Ridge (Fort Qu'appelle). A full days worth of fun, food and great weather. I really enjoyed being back on the hill learning how to ski sitting down. Very different view! I had some wonderful help from the organizers and volunteers who extremely patience and understanding. I can't wait to get back out.

Some explanation. I am sitting strapped to a glorified sled, mounted to two skis, that when I lean to one side allow me to edge in that direction. I have little skis mounted to my arms for balance and stability and also to help steer. This is the equipment I used, check out the results.

So, thoughts that first came to mind on the drive to the hill- do I really want to be a toboggan and/or do I really want to be a snowball. Well, you will have to watch the videos below!!

And give the videos some time to load..

Walk Aid

We have recently become aware of a device that can assist me with my lazy (uncoordinated) left leg. I have worn what some would call an AFO and most would call a leg brace to hold my left foot at 90 degrees to my left leg. It prevents my foot from dragging which greatly inhibits my ability to walk with a proper gait. So what this device does, called the Walk Aid, electrically stimulates the muscles in my left leg that pick up my toes and foot so that they clear when I step through. We (being me, my physio and my orthotics specialist) have been trying it for nearly a month with fairly good results and so I wanted to share what it is and how it works. From the video you can't really see it because it is strapped just below my left knee but you will hear a beep every time my left knee bends which is my leg getting zapped. Fun!

If the results continue to be positive then I hope to purchase a unit for long term use!

HAPPY BELATED HOLIDAYS!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE. I AM A LITTLE LATE ON THE WISHES BUT I HOPE EVERYONE GOT TO ENJOY THEIR TIME WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY. I SURE DID!! IT WAS BUSY.

A QUICK VIDEO ADDITION OF MY LAST WALK ON THE 'ROBO' MACHINE AT PW. A FEW MONTHS AGO NOW, BUT THIS CLIP IS FROM A 15 MIN CONTINUOUS SESSION, NEARLY UNASSISTED. ABOUT THE BEST IT HAS EVER FELT.

ENJOY THE START TO 2010.