Olympics, amateur athletes, disability and getting OUT THERE

Judging from my people I have talked to and some misconceptions, I want to talk a moment about the Olympics.

The Olympics is an event of amateurs.

Now that may shock or anger some people but it is the truth. The Olympics was never recreated over 100 years ago as anything other than a place where amateur athletes, people who practice in the early morning, or after work, gather to strive for the love of their sport and individual best. Of course, the Olympics was originally stated that women shouldn’t be involved and though unsaid, likely that non-white shouldn’t show up either. This was for the “boys” of Yale and Oxford, McGill, Cambridge, Harvard and some of the best of Europe and Australia would meet; kind of like the regattas, that “sports” spirit.

Now of course with some countries giving money for medals, some of that has disappeared but I can assure you that most of the world’s countries including Canada are not lavishing money on athletes (you are lucky if they are paying your airfare!). Nor will these athletes be ending training when Olympics finish, but rather going on to another competition, a world cup or another amateur event in a few weeks. When I fenced or trained with some of the women who are at the Olympics, they did not receive money for winning tournament X or even the nationals. Yes, eventually they would get a “Card” which would give them about 40% of the money needed to make the tournaments they needed to just in Canada (know what a round trip to Regina costs?). In my salle, The three time National Champion, winner of the Pan-Am Games and winner or bronze medalist of the Commonwealth games (which only happen once every few years, much like the Student games), was not only going to university but also working part time at the clothing store The Gap – and doing 4+ hours of training a day. That is considered being an Amateur. When you are paid a salary like pro (like “professional”) hockey, basketball, baseball, soccer/football, American football or even boxing or triathlons you are a professional. So when the boxer from Zimbabwe shows up at the Olympics, there will NOT be Mike Tyson facing him (I say he because women still can’t box at the Olympics). That determines the arenas you compete in; are you going pro or not? (For some sports like fencing or archery we only WISH there was a professional circuit like the golfers have!).

So, while this is a highly televised and publicized and in many ways overly nationalized competition, it is still the same small group of archers or fencers or badminton singles players. And yeah, it sucks to get knocked out at the Olympics but they will be facing each other again in next month’s European Cup. And while commentators may present it all as a do or die, a single event people train for, for “elite” amateur athletes, it is another competition on the schedule and yeah, you train at other events FOR going to the Olympics (or the Pan Am games), but now, if you want to be back in four years, you and your coach are focusing on the next tournament. Now I never made it to that level, but it was my three year goal. When I went into the wheelchair I was already qualified for the next Nationals. I was planning to go to the Canadian Westerns, to add to my Canadian points, and then do the North America Cup series in Group II this time and see if I could get in the top 32, and then do Group I the following year (for US points – the two countries won’t accept each other’s points).

I’m not saying that to say, “I could have been there!” Haha, I wanted to be 25th in Canada and maybe 35th or so in the US, that was my goal. To get up in the top 12, to compete for team spots, that’s for people younger than me (like 17 year olds), I just loved the sport and wanted to be up where I could face and fence the best, the people better than me, to learn and to push my limits. But at the same time, when a person with a disability in the US (ANY disability: from autism to quadriplegics) are three times more likely to be sedentary than the population, and when the majority of people with disabilities engage in no physical activity at all, I am concerned. I am worried that people with disabilities think that it is the Olympics, or Paralympics or nothing. Or that there isn’t anything they can do.

I was not watching Olympics tonight because I was too busy BEING an amateur athlete to watch other amateur athletes. I was up at Badminton, and I only managed to fall over going for a birdie once tonight (and one save when I was going over). It is recorded that females with disabilities have even less opportunity than males with disabilities, at the Paralympic games females only comprise 25% of the athletes. But then not a lot of women are drawn to wheelchair rugby. At the winter Paralympics that falls to 20%. Now, I am not saying, “Go for the Paralympics!” but it does reflect a trend, and yeah, for a lot of us, getting out of bed IS our sport. I am not boxing anymore, and I don’t think I can call myself a wheelchair boxer, though I might give it one more try, but I am already trying to find a way to join the disability swim team. Janet the coach says, “We haven’t worked out the problem of how you are going to swim with oxygen!”

I said, “See, that is the distance I swim, one length, and the OXYGEN is the incentive, if I make it to the other side, I get the oxygen, otherwise I pass out in the water!”

She laughed and said she would “think about that.”

Look, I know a lot of people are unable to do physical activity and others have no desire to, and I don’t make judgements in my mind one way or another. But if someone WANTS to do an activity, from belly dancing, to a swim class, to wheelchair judo or BADMINTON (sorry, couldn’t help that!), then I want them to be able to do that. And I want them to understand that there are not two classifications, there is amateur athlete. It is just the level of commitment, and that is a personal choice (some of us like to spend extra time kissing Linda).

Anyway, talking about getting out and about, Cheryl came over and we went to Mount Doug park to have a picnic. Which was nice, to see trees and hear the sounds of birds (a heron flew by), rather than….roofers!

And for those who don’t understand when I say I turn green, here is a picture, not as green as when I went to the hospital or passed out in the doctors office but an idea of what my hands turn into (from mottled purple to GREEN) when they get hot, try to sweat and that doesn’t happen.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy watching the Olympics and I hope that you also realize that wheeling down to the grocery store IS a form of activity, and for those of us where the route seems harder and harder, an athletic activity. I am flipping through the fall calendar for local activities, whether it be painting or better yet, belly dancing, I am getting out of here and doing something. Yeah, I’m weaker, I’m in more pain, but until breathing becomes my main athletic activity, I am getting OUT THERE. I will keep you all updated.

Beth's 'Normal' Day: Hello Kitty, Farmers' Market, Gifts and a 50's Diner

This is a tale of Elizabeth’s 'Normal' day (we skip the seizures, the passing out, the tedious medical stuff and focus on the fun and ‘normal’), which actually is bits of three days put together (welcome to Disability Time) but let’s pretend shall we.

In a tale most unbelievable, Port Angeles, which has many tattoo parlors (and ones not that good) happens to now have a shop which sells Hello Kitty supplies and not only that, rare and cool Hello Kitty Supplies. This means I actually have a shopping reason to go to Port Angeles. But also mean now I am in shopping envy, lying awake at night frustrated that I did not find item X or Y sooner, or that others maybe just THIS minute someone is buying what I want (a feeling never felt before about Port Angeles!). This was the store where I talked to the 16 year old girl about Hello Kitty, Demonia Shoes, Goth and yes, S&M. The store have a few “display rooms” and this is the Kitchen.

As you see they do retro, and it is not just Hello Kitty, but you can see the Hello Kitty toaster and the coffee maker up there.

Well, as of tonight, in typical Linda fashion, Linda has “shoppers regret” over that toaster, on how it would be REALLY nice but golly we can’t justify that (which is Linda code for “I really want it and keep thinking about it”). I don’t know why Linda doesn’t see and lust for things instantly like me, but it takes two days or so for her to get the bug, like in Paris when she decided she REALLY should have picked up that scarf on the first day. So back we had to go, subway transfers and all because seriously, is it not better to go back and GET the scarf then hear the regrets over NOT getting the scarf for two years? Plus Linda likes to shop but does not get crazy excited like being exposed to catnip about buying things (that is what I do!); so when she does WANT something, crave something, then yeah, I am going to get that for her.

So here is the toaster, nice, right, but we don’t HAVE to get it there, right? We could order it online! Only, it turns out this shop (which I am NOT telling you where it is, in case you go buy this toaster!), sells very ODD items. This toaster is a limited edition 2008 item and has a cover and a crumb tray and six to eight different settings on how you can toast Hello Kitty’s face into your bread. And it is not sold elsewhere, not that we can find. There are two other cheaper style toasters but none so cool as this. Sigh.

So while Linda was gazing at toasters I had found the most amazing Hello Kitty Temporary Tattoos, which I am sure are Japan Release Only (meaning, what are they doing HERE in Port Angeles!), there are Purple Geisha ones for the Girls and I found blue ones of Drumming and drinking sake for the guys (come on guys, playing big Japanese drums is manly!). But seriously, how cool would having a Geisha Hello Kitty shoulder tattoo be? A little temptress shoulder display….Hello Kitty for the Sexy Kitten? Not that I am starting to write my fantasies out loud or anything…..hee hee!

I also found a set of bandages, where EACH bandage is a different Hello Kitty scene. I had seen the pink Hello Kitty bandages before but not this visual delight of Hello Kitty. So I picked them up and can’t decide whether they would make perfect gifts or perfect rewards for me after surviving yet ANOTHER blood test and needle experience. Oh, to give or to enjoy for the self?

And as I was about to leave, I fell totally in love with the Hello Kitty Pirate sleepset! Look at it, who wouldn’t! Hello Kitty Pirate with her ribbon in her hair and a skull in the ribbon, her hat, her ship! All in a sleep cami. I rolled back inside and found out, only size SMALL left on the rack (now looking at the picture I ask myself, “Why did I not check the size of top on the MODEL?”) Instead I told Cheryl, “Oh well, not this month, but at the rate I am going I can get it next month or so.” But now, looking at the pictures I am having a terrible case of buyer envy. I want it – and I haven’t wanted a sleep set in like YEARS. Plus it is perfect for heat intolerant me. Double sigh!

Here is a picture of some of the goodies, you can see the size small top on the front bottom rack, and if you look at the top left you will see the edge a FULL purple sleep set including sheets and everything to make your Hello Kitty bedroom. I was offered this (perhaps in jest by Linda and Cheryl - they better be careful, as what if I threw myself of the bed shouting MINE!) but I refused as Hello Kitty was wearing a cheap IMITATION ruby in her ribbon. Sorry, I don’t do imitation, I do SKULLS! But still, next time I will get a picture of that for you.

We went from there to the Farmers Market at Port Townsend, 48 miles and many skary bars and stores from Port Angeles (avoid the road side shop on that way that has a sign advertising, “Animal skins and ice cream available.” The racks of animal horns mounted on the outside are a giveaway - yeah, I'm serious).

At the market, there were all the local farms, from a few miles away, as well as people making food from ‘home.’ The first thing I saw were these nectarines (apricots?) and then on to the peas (you’ve seen them).

A little further on was the best looking bowl of Borscht I have ever seen, it looks like raspberry soup and with an edible flower too! However beets and I had repeated childhood traumas so I avoid beet related things but if you are missing the old country, come and try out this bowl. I admit, I was not aware traditional Borscht came with “Sunflower-cashew sour crème” (I think that might be the Port Townsend influence).

There were many flower vendors and I was entranced by these Lilies, but with so many miles to go and having to hand carry them back (to be confiscated by customs – no fresh fruit or veg, etc….remember) I had to leave them behind. Still, I have a picture!

Linda, who when we try to call her a “Butch” gets laughed at by Butch Lesbians tried out an apron to see if she should Femme herself up. “Is this ME?” she asked, holding aside her pastry (where did that go Linda, and how come I never got any?), and holding this flowery apron to herself. “No, no, no, no, no!” I said and then, “Let me take a picture!” Because that is as close as I will get to Linda channeling Martha Stewart.

On the way out, I was delayed and fascinated by these candle displays which are actually made of Soy, I think they are Vegan Candles? I am not sure why the soy but they made them with different flavors, Tomato and Kumquat and had such pretty displays that I wanted a display if not a candle. Port Townsend does have lovely farmers food and flowers and GREAT presentation.

From there we went to downtown Port Townsend for lunch at the 50’s Diner where they serve REAL malts from original malt machines brought in from where they were found all over the country. Here I am with Cheryl, the counter in the background. I also paid 25 cents in the jukebox for a song; Linda picked, “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” while I picked the oh so hammy ballad, “Leader of Pack.” First, who doesn’t like a tragic motorcycle ballad? But also because I got to sing the backup singer girl part, you know, the two girls who stand in the background making hand motions and repeating the last word, “He didn’t know what was going down.” At this point I do the wavy motion of my hands while singing, “down….down” I don’t know why but I always wanted to be one of those back up singers; seemed a great gig, you stand on stage and sing about 8 words and “Oooooooooooooo!” Between my reliving childhood career fantasies I did postcards. Yup, want to know how I get those cards done and sent – dedication! So I do a little bit whenever I can. When I travel, your postcard travels with me until it is done!

The next day we were back in Victoria and I decided to use the $100 I had won from the Hudson’s Bay Company by winning the 10K race in my racing wheelchair. They actually sent it to me (Sweet!). I decided this was a good time to bring closure to my Japan trip by getting Canadian gifts for those who helped me in Japan. I wanted to get one particularly for a gentleman, S-san, from the Japanese Volunteer Disability organization who corresponded with me for five to six months before the trip and helped up create our trip “bible.” But also for the English speaking volunteer in Kanazawa who stayed with us for several hours, got my wheelchair repaired and saved the trip. In Japan, because of issues regarding status, you can only give food or perishable gifts. Because to give a gift that is permanent puts an obligation on the person or family receiving it. This has not stopped cost or status from entering as melons (the round fruit) are a popular gift (people eat them and gift is gone), so there are Melons costing over $100 (I kid you not). I ended up getting S-san a Haida art box with a can of fresh Queen Charlotte Salmon inside, as I know seafood is popular in Japan. I also got maple syrup treats for all the people in his office so that he could keep this himself and not feel obligated by being singled out (when he was representing them), and thus forced to share it. However, I know he worked far above and beyond, so I wanted to give him something uniquely west coast.

This however did not finish the $100 so I went search for gifts, primarily for men, because when I give gifts, I try to include a little something for the whole family. Except while I do well on chidren, teens and the women I am friends with, I tend to be terrible with guys. What do you get a guy who is a husband to someone you know? But since all my friends are in internet land I focused on trying to find things that were particularly west coast. I did manage to find some more temporary tattoos done in different Haida and Native Art of the West Coast.I think they look cool and very 'manly', but would look good on a butch too!

I also picked up a couple fridge magnets, again trying to find something unique to this area. Since the Hudson’s Bay company has represented the contact with the native population, for better or worse, here on the west coast for the last several hundred years, they have a lot of decent native art. So what do you think of this, cool enough for a guy to put on the fridge?

I spend the last of my funds on Art Print, which would be more of a gift to a husband/wife, or couple or maybe academics, not sure. I like this print but then I could really mess up and send it as a gift to someone who finds this boring. I selected it from dozens. Each print comes from a different artist; this one is from an artist near Prince Rupert, on the Alaska border of Canada and across from the Queen Charlottes. While it is not the traditional black and red of the Haida art, it has the traditional forms but has use of colour I really enjoy. I hoped that whoever gets it, it will be something very different from where they live. What do you think, would most people like this, or is it an acquired taste?

I stayed away from buying the Inuit Art (the people in the arctic) which tends to be abstract and representational and I really enjoy. Because I can’t imagine sending Inuit Art to someone in Kent or in Iowa as it is usually stacks of stones to represent people or carved seal bone (literally art from what is up past tree line, stone and bones!).

So that was what I ended up getting with the $100 from the race (and a bit more to get all I wanted to buy). Linda asked me if there wasn’t something I wanted for myself, but at the time I could honestly say, 'no.' But that’s until I saw the picture of the Hello Kitty Cami and sleep shorts set again….now I have that frenzy to find and make it MINE!

Seriously, many things have gone away: I have virtually no taste left, the same with getting hungry or thirsty, just part of the disease. Indeed, one odd side effect was that certain seizures make me sleepy, while a few make me hungry…and I haven’t been hungry in months and months (or thirsty, which is why I and others have to constantly monitor me for dehydration). As for me, I am trying to fund a trip to San Francisco and to a Neurologist and getting rid of things, selling things. I also have very little in the way of appetite. So for me, finding a gift that I think someone might like and sending it to them, even if that takes a couple weeks or months is the closest I get to that sort of pleasure now. After all, I still have all the excitement of shopping and get the added pleasure of hoping, like the post cards, the right gift gets to the right person.

So that was it, the 'normal' day and today I got to write about it, about the normal, normal me (touch that toaster or those Pirate Hello Kitty PJ’s and DIE!).