Who knew that curling could be so fun?  It was remarkable the amount of enjoyment we all had tonight while fundraising and learning to curl with the local women’s curling league here in Cranbrook!  I have never been on ice before, so it was especially challenging for me.  At first I felt a little bit like Bambi, all legs and no grace!  But then after a while I started to get the hang of it.  I kinda cheated a bit by using the broom as my third leg…it really seemed to help my balance.  Then it came time for me have my turn at sweeping.  Let’s just say that didn’t go over well as I fell down immediately when I tried to take off after the stone!  Luckily for me, that was the only fall I took all night.  Unfortunately for Drew, he not only fell, but he also managed to drop his still camera and our video camera directly onto the ice….damage still to be determined! 

Curling is one of those sports that you see on TV (mostly you watch it on a Sunday because you are too hung over to do anything else!) and you think to yourself “how hard can this really be?” In reality, this sport is really hard!!  I think we all learned a lot all while having a great time.  We wish to thank the ladies at the Cranbrook curling arena for spending time with us, being so incredibly generous, and for sharing their sport!

I almost forgot to mention a very special person who we met yesterday.  His name is Reuben and he has PLS, which is another type of ALS except that, in his case, it’s staying in his throat and upper chest.  Reuben was diagnosed about 5 years ago and has lost most of his ability to speak.  Reuben is one of the sweetest people around and a bit of a local hero!  We met at the mall and as we strolled out to look at the motorcycle nearly everyone that walked by said hello to him by name. 

Reuben used to decorate all the floats for the local parade and he also helped to build many of the stores in the mall.  He gives you great big smiles and big thumbs up when he agrees with what you are saying.  Reuben has a machine that you can type into and it speaks for you.  Some of his friends have pre-programmed some basic messages that Reuben uses everyday.  Things like, “Can I have a coffee with cream please?” and “I have PLS” but the one that got me the most was the one the said “It affects my speech, but my hearing is fine, please speak normally.”  As a person without a disability I can only imagine what people must go through on a daily basis.  But I never really considered how many times people have to explain their situation or get looked upon like they are less because they can’t do something.  I forget just how much we use our voices to explain our situation and our wants and needs.  (especially someone like me, who basically never shuts up!) 

People assume that Reuben can’t hear simple because he can’t talk, which as we all know, isn’t the truth.  ALS/PLS only effects the body and not the mind (or in Reuben’s case, “not” the ears).  This is exactly the reason we are trying to raise awareness for this disease.  So that people understand what it is and how it affects the patient.  So that when someone suffering from this disease tells another “I have ALS” then they will understand and try and help them out the best they can.  Instead of thinking, wow I don’t know what that is but this guy seems a bit drunk and he probably can’t hear me well or even really understand what I am saying so I can’t really help at all. 

Anyway, I guess the point here is to slow down and take the time that is necessary to help out someone with a disability the next your run across them.  When you are feeling frustrated at the situation just remember what it is like for them….they have to do this everyday of their lives.  Imagine how difficult that would be. 

-jeannie

Last Modified : October 22nd, 2007 Filed under : On Location Navigate : Previous post / Next post