Sledge Hockey has been one of the most popular sports of the Paralympic Games. Canada's sledge hockey team is an amazing group of men with a range of ages from 20 to 52 years old. And while they didn't repeat the Gold Medal they brought home from the Torino Paralympic Games in 2006, they certainly won a place in the nation's hearts. Every member of the team has an amazing story of personal triumph to tell. We were privileged to speak with family members of two players of the men's team.
First, Louise Berman, girlfriend of Paul Rosen - one of Team Canada's goalies.
Louise has been attending the Paralympic Games and cheering on Paul accompanied by her three kids and two of Paul's kids. Paul is, of course, staying in the Paralympic Village with the team, but Louise and all the kids are staying together and they've been having a great time here in Vancouver.
What's it been like here in Vancouver? Both for your families as well as meeting other Paralympic family members.
It's really been a great bonding experience. At home, I would never go "out on the town" with my kids (they're older and don't want Mom hanging around), but here we've been hanging out together. It's really a unique opportunity to celebrate this great event.
And I've had opportunity to connect with other family members of Paralympic athletes. Every one is so warm and friendly - there is the great camaraderie at the Family Program hotel. We eat meals together and travel on the bus together - we even have our own uniforms from Petro-Canada. So it's been both a little easier financially as well as a good time socially!
Have you been able to see Paul at his games before?
I've only seen Paul compete at one exhibition game in Toronto before. This is really a dream come true for him - to have people who love him in the stands, cheering him on doing a sport he loves to play. We have special signs that we've made "Go for gold, Rosie!" and "We love you, Rosie - #57!!" We dress up in red and white and we dance, scream, cheer, do the wave - it's so much fun in the stands. But it's kind of a bittersweet moment - he loves the game and the team, but he's 49 and this will likely be his last Paralympics.
Does Paul have any pre-game rituals or "pump up" songs?
Well, he is pretty superstitious. When he's goalie, he prays in the net before the game: he sits inside the net, facing it and says a little prayer - he gets his bearings and then he hits the net with his stick. He also takes the people he cares about most into the game with him. He has my name and face painted on the side of his mask, the initials of the kids are on the back of his mask and the names of people who are special to him are written on his blocker. Paul is so grateful for the people in his life - if you do something nice for him, he will never forget it.
You can read more about Paul and Louise in this interview with the Vancouver Sun.
Stay tuned for our next interview with Connie Dorion, mother of Marc Dorion - a forward for the Sledge Hockey Team.
Photo Credit: dawn (via Flickr)
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