Paralympic Sports Association providing recreation and sport opportunities for children, youth and adults with a physical disability

Check back to this page often to get information on upcoming PSA special events and past exciting news.

The Paralympic Sports Association is saddened to have to relay the news of the passing of Mrs. Sheila Thomas. Sheila had been a long time member of the PSA along with her son, Ken. It was just this past summer that Sheila joined our Swinging Spokes on a Square Dancing Jamboree to St. John, N.B. Sheila's dedication and sharing towards others will be something she will always be remembered for. The Paralympic Sports Association is planning on introducing a new award this year in Sheila's memory that will recognize others who give themselves to people with physical disabilities.

AWARDS BANQUET & FAMILY DANCE
June 7, 5:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Northgate Lions Senior Citizens Recreation Centre
7524- 139 Avenue

The PSA hosts an annual Awards Dinner & Volunteer Recognition Banquet each year to honour our members and volunteers. There will be a buffet meal followed by the presentation of the athletic and volunteer awards by our guest MCs from The Bear, Hurricane & Harrison. Like last year, the event will close with a family dance.

PSA KNIGHTS FLOOR HOCKEY
Saturday, May 10 - 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
ACT Centre Gym

PSA is hosting a one-day Wheelchair Floor Hockey Tournament for individuals who use manual or electric wheelchairs. This will be a fun tournament for both experienced and new players to the sport

The PSA Knights will represent 2 teams at the tournament and are looking for other teams to join them for fun competition. There is no registration fee and lunch will be provided for all team members. Floor Hockey sticks will be available for teams who need equipment.

A new edition to the already growing list of new events put on by the PSA, is a fun Family Swim. Everyone is invited to attend.

*Please Note: We will not be staffing this event with volunteers, so parents are required to supervise their own children.

You do not need to register for this event, just come and enjoy...FREE TO ALL PSA MEMBERS

MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKERS FOR
TEENS WITH A DISABILITY
Wednesday, May 21 - 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Glenrose Hospital, Conference Room A

Here is an opportunity to inspire our youth to excel and develop their skills so they can and will pursue anything they want to achieve.

We have comprised a panel of successful Edmontonians with with Disabilities who are currently pursuing rewarding careers in various fields.

MOTHERS RETEAT WEEKEND GETAWAY
May 2 - 4, Black Cat Guest Ranch, Hinton
Cost: $150 or 4 Bingos

Pack your bags and get ready for a weekend getaway with just you and the girls. The PSA is hosting a retreat designed to provide some much needed rest and relaxation to the mothers and grandmothers of children with disabilities.

The retreat will be held at the Black Cat Guest Ranch located near Hinton. Go to www.blackcatguestranch.ca to see what the ranch has to offer.

The retreat is from Friday around 6:30 p.m. until Sunday early afternoon. The weekend will be filled with as much or as little excitement as you desire. Many activities will be available for you there.

Wheel-Ability Camp
A One-Day Camp for Learning Wheelchair Skills
Ages 8 - 16
Saturday, May 31 - 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
ACT Centre
Cost: $10

Like previous years, the PSA is working with the Children's Ability Fund and many qualified physiotherapists to put on this fun and educational camp. The camp is a chance for children and youth to learn how to better use their wheelchairs. This is open to both experienced and new users - there is always something new to learn.

2003 GREAT HUMAN RACE
Saturday, May 10 at 10 a.m.
University of Alberta
Cost: Adults $15 (includes free t-shirt)
17 & under free (sorry no t-shirt)
Note: $10 if you want to purchase a youth t-shirt

On Your Mark...Get Set...GO!
The Great Human Race is an excellent opportunity for individuals to get out and enjoy the new spring weather , while raising funds for non-profit organizations. You can run, walk or wheel on our behalf in the 3 km walking course or the 8 km running course. All you have to do is collect pledges and run, walk or wheel your way into a great time. Last year PSA raised a total of $1,204 in the Great Human Race.

The organizing for our next Casino has begun and we need volunteers for the casino. Anyone interested in volunteering can contact the office at 439-8687. In 2001, we raised over $50,000 so hopefully this year will be a profitable.

All Bingos will be held at Parkway Bingo Hall.
Any Bingos that you can volunteer for will greatly benefit PSA.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Monday, May 5 at 5:30 p.m.
ACT Centre Lounge

Come on out to the 37th Annual General meeting of the Paralympic Sports Association. As nominations for the Board are not accepted from the floor, members are encouraged to submit nominations to the PSA Office. Nominations will be accepted until April 25th.

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UPDATES AND REVIEWS

Bowling & Games
A new twist, another success
Bowling events are always a huge success with the PSA. This year was no different. We changed up the event by holding it at Red's in West Edmonton Mall and having a bowling and games day. Everyone seemed to have fun, so we will be holding the event again next year. It is wonderful to see so many members and families getting out to these PSA events and we hope that you keep attending. Thank you to the City of Edmonton and Red's for their prize donations.

Sledge Dogs vs Firefighters
The PSA would like to thank the Edmonton Firefighters' hockey team for donating the proceeds from the 50/50 raffle during their Battle of the Badges game, and would also like to thank them for the game which the Dogs played against them. Both teams had a great time, and can't wait to battle again.

Sledge Dogs to Travel to Thornhill, Ontario
Easter weekend, April 16 - 20 the Sledge Dogs, PSA's Intermediate Sledge Hockey Team will travel to an International tournament in Thornhill, Ontario.

Travelling to a tournament such as this is an expensive ordeal, and thus the Dogs have been working very hard for the last year to raise money for the trip. If you would like to sponsor the Dogs, please contact the PSA Office at 439-8687.

Last year, the Dogs faired very well in their first taste of tournament play. They are hoping to do even better this year, now that they are a year older and a year better.

PSA Family Christmas Party
I hope everyone who attended the Christmas party had a great time. It was an afternoon of fun, watching the Pop-Up Players perform their Christmas play, "The Magic Mirror". Then everyone who attended visited with Santa Claus and with each other over juice and donuts. We had 125 members come out to enjoy the afternoon.

The PSA would like to thank the Pop-Up Players for the afternoon and we look forward to the part again next Christmas.

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The Ronald McDonalds Children's Charity was generous to provide the PSA with a grant for over $13,000 to purchase new equipment and jerseys for the sledge hockey program.

This grant came through the Gretzky & Friends Golf Tournament proceeds, where not only did we get a grant, but a few of the Sledge Dogs were lucky enough to attend the tournament and the Gala dinner and meet Wayne Gretzky, Brett Hull, Jerome Iginla and many other Celebrities.

All in all, it was a great opportunity for the kids and also provided the PSA with some much needed new equipment to help the players continue to improve and hon their skills.

Paralympic Sports Association

Copyright© 1998 Worth-While Webs. All rights reserved. www.worthwhilewebs.com Updated: August, 2002

Copyright© 1998
Worth-While Webs. All rights reserved.
www.worthwhilewebs.com
Updated: August, 2002