In The News

Hello friends! Visiting the Sketchbook Project yesterday was wonderful! If you're local and haven't been, I really recommend going today, which is your last chance before it hits the road again. I'll have a full report tomorrow.

In the meantime, the next few days are going to be a whirl wind of crossing some very big things off my life list so I'm trying to slow myself down internally so I can take it all in. 

Something really cool happened today: I made the local paper! I'm going to be  looking for copies at the library later today, but in the meantime, you can view the article here. I did the interview last week and like any interview, you never know what will come of it. I was stunned to see how much they actually printed-it was far more than I expected. I think I owe the reporter, Sarah Payne a thank you card. I am just grateful to be able to help raise awareness about MS in my own small way and to challenge people to think differently about disability and what it looks like.

Tomorrow afternoon is the official opening of the gallery show. If you're local, I hope you come out, see the show, (which I think is going to be really interesting) and say hello. I'll be there!

You're Invited!

Port Coquitlam, BC: The Rick Hansen Man in Motion 25 Anniversary presents an opportunity to showcase the artistic expression and achievements of artists with disabilities at Leigh Square Community Arts Village from visual art to film and performances, May 10 to June 3. The Rick Hansen Man in Motion Anniversary Tour stops in Port Coquitlam on May 17 and May is also Mental Health Awareness month. 

Often there are many myths that surround disability, both physical and mental and this exhibition offers an opportunity to hear these voices and share talent, stories and inspiration.  Sometimes the impossible can become possible as many of these community artists will show in their work. Featured artists include Lelainia Lloyd, Kevin Priebe, Marney Smithies, Cascadia Society for Social Working artists Fred Collins, Aiden Fisher-Lang, William Skuse and others and New View Society artists Angela Chapman, Marcia Weekes and Mary Jung.

The opening reception will take place on the Rick Hansen Relay Day on May 17 at 4pm with lots of special activities including performances, mini Farmers Market, face painting, bikes, BBQ and much more.

Double O Seven!

In writing this post this morning, I felt like I should share this image I created in Swan Dive because I am most certainly feeling the love. I am in one of those moments in my life where things feel sort of surreal (in the most positive way) and I have to keep reminding myself to take it all in. These times will never be again.  This is how it feels when I get to cross big things off my life list.

I now have the final details of my leg of the Rick Hansen Relay. I'm posting them here, as an open invitation for anyone local who would like to attend. Please do!

THE DETAILS OF MY RELAY SEGMENT

Community: Coquitlam

Starting Along: Guildford Way

From: Scott Creek Middle School

To: Falcon Dr ahead sign (100m before Falcon Dr)

On: Guildford Way

Approximate time of my segment: 8:42 AM PDT, Friday, May 18th, 2012

My Medal-Bearer number is: MB269-007 (I'm #007!)

Look for this number on the route marker at the start of my relay segment.

The End of Day Celebration for May 18th is at Burnaby Village Museum at 4:30 pm.

*****

Since the route through the Tri-Cities (Port Coquitlam, Coquitlam & Port Moody) is extensive, it spans two days. On May 17th, (the day before my segment) the Relay arrives in Port Coquitlam and crosses into Coquitlam. The Relay will be making a stop at Leigh Square in Port Coquitlam and then the End of Day Celebration will be at Spirit Square in Coquitlam (right by City Hall) starting around 4 pm.

Right after my leg of the Relay, We're hopping in the car and heading to Thermal Drive because.....RICK HANSEN IS GOING TO WHEEL UP IT for the 3rd time!! For those of you not in the know, this is a very, very steep, winding 1.6 km long hill. Rick has wheeled it twice-once on the original Man in Motion World Tour and then on the 20th anniversary of the tour. Every single time I drive up or down that hill, I think of him and marvel at the power of the human spirit. I feel very, very lucky to be able to finally see this happen with my own eyes. I will be having Kleenex at the ready, for sure.

This is going to be an amazing experience and I hope you will come share it with me! For those of you far away, there WILL be photos, I promise!

Challenging the Myths: Disability & Art

I am really pleased to announce that my photographic work has been accepted in an upcoming show, Challenging the Myths: Disability & Art at the Leigh Square Community Arts Village, in Port Coquitlam, BC. This show celebrates the Rick Hansen Man in Motion 25th Anniversary by featuring the artistic expression and achievement of artists with disabilities, through visual art, film and performances.

It will be my first gallery show in Canada as well as the first time I've shown my photographic work so I'm really excited. (And a bit nervous!) Making the decision about what images I wanted to submit for consideration was really hard, but I went with what felt right and I think it's a good representation of the work I've been doing over the last 14 months. Now I just have to have prints made and get them framed!

The show will run May 10th to June 11th, 2012.  

The Opening Reception will be on Thursday May 17th, from 4-6 p.m. 

Address: #1100-2253 Leigh Square Place, Port Coquitlam, BC

(Located behind City Hall on Shaughnessy St. & McAlliser.)

Hours of Operation:

Mon, Wed & Fri -9:30 am to 7 pm

Tue & Thurs -9:30 am to 8 pm

Sat & Sun -12:00 pm-4 pm

I hope that if you're local, you'll drop by and see the show.

A big THANK YOU to my friend Jennifer Skillen for giving me the head's up about this exhibit and encouraging me to take the leap. I love you for it!

The month of May is going to be an absolute whirlwind of really wonderful events!