morleymooseisontheloose: Day 202, Leduc, to Edmonton, Alberta

Day 202, wow, the weather never changes around here! the mall is light, must mean it is sometime in the daytime!

thanks goodness we have television, or I would have to go outside to see what was going on!

McDonalds in Edmonton is ready for our arrival. I was on shuttle 3 with Wendy as the host today (normally she is one of the shuttle drivers), this particular McDonalds is where the first medal bearer in our group will start their segment.

Ba da da da da!

We had two meeting points today, the first was at J Percy Page High School in Edmonton

The first medal bearer to show up was Andy, who brought Baby, a one of a kind "comfort dog" that have been trained to work with injured soldiers in the "Soldier On program". Andy is a Canadian forces veteran. Here is his story:

Soldier On to me is an excellent way for me to participate and promote in activities that care for the injured CF members through sport and

recreation

i too am a member of the injured soldier network program where i offer my ear and experiences in the road to recovery through ample services

and resources at our disposal

learning about adaptive equipment in sports and recreation has been therapeutic as well as a way to show hope against the social pitfalls of

being injured

i personally make it my mission to promote the Soldier On fund and the injured soldier network to ensure that we never leave a man behind !

more about me that you need to know is with all that has happened to me i still pursue life know i have to dedicate and focus my best effort to

live life to the fullest and to understand life has its hurdles. but to recognize certain sacrifces of time and tribulations and learning from

mistakes and sharpening skills through practice is the motivational tool to help others reach there goals as well through example ! never give up

and push through !

blood sweat and tears makes you stronger and a great support systeme ,and there are options in sight through individuals and resources ....you

just have to ask !

The school was having a bake sale and fundraiser today, I like the "throw a pie at teachers" contest!

Another medal bearer group has bonded in a short period of time.

Anna was one of our pilots today. She is with us for a week visiting her hubby, Billy, one of our events emcees. Anna is no stranger to piloting duties, that was her role on the Olympic Torch Relay.

thumbs up are apparently contagious

after we finished dropping of our last medal bearer in the Edmonton suburb of Millwoods, , we headed to through the Strathcona district to our next medal bearer meeting point and the site of our end of day celebration at the University of Alberta

the end of day celebration was in the gym at the U of A

our medal bearer group was really spread out today in the meeting room, I had to take a left side and a right side pic.

Our endurance athlete starting on day 203, Herve, stopped by to say hi to the medal bearers. He has been a paralympic sledge hockey player for years , bronze, silver and gold at the Paralympic games. (check the link on his name). Herve lost his leg in a car accident. He was also our endurance athlete in Quebec.

Always a little nervous to see the police in my side mirror!

the medal bearers are the "fuel" for the relay, important to stay ahead of the convoy.

We were honoured to have Dr. Martin Ferguson-Pell as a medal bearer today. He is the head of the faculty of rehabilitation medicine at the University of Alberta.

These runners were from the Edmonton Police force, here to support one of their own, Bryce, who is a quadraplegic and still performs his duties in the investigations division of the police force. Check out this link to hear about his story.

We have various community stops along the course of a relay day, this one was a brief visit to the University of Alberta hospital

Yes we are still ahead of the relay, they have to come into the parking lot behind us, by the time they pull in, we will be back out on the road dropping off more medal bearers.

Wait a minute! Is that? yes, the man in motion himself, Rick Hansen, has been with us, travelling the entire length of Wendy and mine's ( ? ) entire medal bearer group

It was quite a celebration and a little bit of a media scrum

Our esteemed end of day medal bearer, Dr. Bob Steadward

Dr. Steadward is Founder and Honourary President of The Steadward Centre, a multi-disability fitness, research and lifestyle facility for people with a disability, located at the University of Alberta where he is Professor Emeritus and at two satellite locations.

Dr. Bob Steadward is Director of Sport Counselling for the Edmonton Sport Institute, a sports medical clinic for individuals and teams with athletic injuries. As President of TBL Sport Services Ltd., Bob is Agent and Business Manager for Jamie Salé and David Pelletier, Olympic Champions and Gold Medallists in Pairs Figure Skating. He is a Member of the Board of Directors for the Vancouver-Whistler Bid Committee to host the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, and a Member of the Board of Governors for the 2005 World Masters Games to be held in Edmonton.

Born and raised in Eston, Saskatchewan, Dr. Steadward continued westward to the University of Alberta, to complete both his Bachelor of Physical Education (with Distinction) and Master of Science degrees. After being awarded a Doctorate of Philosophy from the University of Oregon, USA, Bob returned to the University of Alberta to stay. For his outstanding contributions to the community, the entire sphere of disability, sport and academia, in February 2000 Dr. Steadward was awarded Doctor Honoris Causa (LLD Hons) from Leuven University, Belgium. In June 2002 the University of Alberta inducted Bob into the Sports Wall of Fame and conferred upon him an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree.

Over the years, Bob's volunteer contributions have included posts in sport at all levels, from coach to administrator, from international to local, involving people with and without a disability: at Universiade, Commonwealth, Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Dr. Steadward was inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame in 1984; and in 1996 the Edmonton Sports Hall of Fame. He is an Honorary Life Member of several sports associations; and, as the outstanding Canadian sports volunteer was recipient of the 1991 Bryce Taylor Memorial Award. He was awarded the commemorative medal of the 125th anniversary of Canadian confederation; the 1995 Robert Jackson Award; and, the 1995 inaugural Dr. Robert D. Steadward award, created in his honour in 1996. He received the 1995 coveted King Clancy Award for Outstanding Contribution to Canadians with Disabilities and in 1996 was declared "A Great Albertan as shown by Exemplary Service to Fellow Albertans", by CFRN-TV. Also in 1996, Bob was named a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International "in appreciation of tangible and significant assistance given for the furtherance of better understanding and friendly relations among peoples of the world"; and, received the Senator John G. Tower Distinguished Alumni Award of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity "for bringing great honour to the fraternity, contribution to the community, and career achievements". In 1997 Bob earned the prestigious University of Alberta's Rutherford Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching, and subsequently, the University of Alberta Faculty of Physical Education & Recreation 1996-97 Teaching Award. In 2002, Dr. Steadward was inducted to the Terry Fox Hall of Fame, and in 2003 was presented with an award for outstanding community service to sport and youth, at the Champions for Children event held in Edmonton; also, in 2003, Bob was inducted to the Gallery of Glory, in his hometown of Eston and to the Distinguished Alumni Wall of Honour at Luther College in Regina, Saskatchewan.

Dr. Steadward was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada, the nation's highest civilian honour, in recognition of national achievement and merit of a high degree, especially in service to Canada and humanity at large.

In further recognition of his exceptional qualities and outstanding service to Canada, in 2002, Dr. Steadward was selected to receive the Golden Jubilee Medal, approved by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. In November 2003 Dr. Steadward became an Honorary Member of the exclusive University of Alberta's Golden Key International Honour Society for dedication to higher education, international leadership and commitment to sport.

During relaxation times, Dr. Steadward enjoys cycling, golf, all types of skiing, racquet sports, fly fishing, hunting and ranching. He has been married to Laura for over 35 years; their daughters Tommi Lynn and Bobbi Jo, both school teachers, are married to former University of Alberta Golden Bears ice hockey players. Laura and Bob have recently become proud grandparents to Geran, Reid and Isabella.

The U of A gym.

Always a good turn-out when Rick Hansen is in the house!

A truly Canadian tradition, the end of day medal bearer was piped in by the Edmonton Police service pipe and drum band.

Jordan introduces Bob and Rick Hansen as an honour guard looks on.

Forget where's Waldo, where's Ronald?

messages from the local dignitaries

Our endurance athlete for day 202, Margaret

Rick shakes hands with David Chartrand of the Metis National Council

As part of the End of Day celebration on March 12, Rick Hansen and David Chartrand, Vice President of the Métis National Council, will sign a collaborative agreement that will foster leadership and engagement among Métis youth in the areas of accessibility, inclusivity, health and wellness, and sustainability.