I was really excited when several weeks ago my physio had asked if I wanted to play in a beach volleyball tournament. She was entering/organizing a team for the staff at the clinic and knew I used to play. Obviously I wouldn't be able to do a whole lot, for the most part I'd have to be stationary, but I was willing to give it a try.
I knew my limitations and that I wouldn't be able to run around the court but it wasn't until about a week before the tournament that I thought of a potentially big issue. I wasn't worried about the physical act of serving but couldn't conceive of a possible way to serve from outside the court and then get into position. As I saw it, there were three possible solutions. One, I rotate off before serving and come back on after, skipping the serving position all together. Although that would be no fun because then I wouldn't get to serve. Two, I serve from outside the court and my team carries on the rally with only 5 players on the court. Or three, and the most desirable choice, I serve from within the court. We would just need to clear this with the opposing team before each game. And that is exactly what we did. Our captain would explain the situation to their captain and see if they were ok with it. There was only one team who really took issue with it and questioned us. I don't think they fully believed I couldn't move at all after serving. Reluctantly they allowed it but I'm sure any scepticism was put to rest when they saw me play and not take a single step.
I was able to hop a little bit and turn to face any direction. I wasn't afraid to dive for the ball either. Although, it was funny when I'd dive for a ball that would have landed just a couple steps from where I was standing. Under any other circumstances, someone would simple take a couple steps in that direction. Amazingly, I truly only fell down one time. I ended up twisted and caught up on my own leg when going for a ball. Other than that, I was able to stand in the sand without my crutches for nearly 8 hours total.
The other near impossible task we had to figure out was how I would rotate around the court. Short of crawling or rolling to my new position, I needed someone's help to move. In the end it was amazing teamwork that kept me moving around the court. I would link my arms around the neck of whoever was closest or the first person to come to my aid and they would carry me on their back to my new position. As the day went on and the guys started to play without shirts on and me in my bikini top, it did get a little gross. Everyone was hot and kind of sweaty... need I say more. It was a very effective system though. However, I did feel bad about all the extra work my teammates had to do whenever I was on the court. Not just rotating me but covering a lot more ground during the game as well.
Just a few other things worth mentioning from the day. Walking in the sand with crutch was interesting. It wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be but it wasn't easy. With every step the tips would sink a couple inches. This did make for an amazing arm workout though. I sure felt it the next day. Also, I will still be getting sand out of my crutches weeks from now.
Early on in the day while moving between courts, a girl from one of the other teams asked me if I was playing. My answer was obviously yes. Later that afternoon when we played her team and she saw me on the court she looked at me and said "I thought you were kidding!" I found this pretty funny.
Lastly, I started off the court for one of our games. When we rotated and I came on, or should I say was carried on for the first time, the entire opposing team applauded me. That was kind of cool.
All in all it was a great experience and I'm happy I did it. I was playing with an amazing group of people and a couple of
them were really good. An added bonus to an already fantastic day, somehow we ended up winning the 6s division, losing only
one game all day. Way to go team!
Monday 25 June 2012
Friday 22 June 2012
Sitting Volleyball
For a few months now I've been looking for a league or group that played sitting volleyball. Excited, doesn't begin to describe how I felt a couple weeks ago when I found out a friend of a friend knew of a group.
Sitting volleyball is essentially the same as 6s court volleyball, only the players sit directly on the court. The net is obviously lower, 1.15m in height (slightly lower for women), and the court is a little smaller, both in length and width. Most of the same rules apply, although in sitting volleyball you are allowed to block the serve. Additionally, you must have at least one bum cheek in contact with the floor when you make contact with the ball.
I had a blast playing on Thursday. Leading up to it I had been pretty nervous. I hadn't played in almost 2 years, since just before my diagnosis when I was told to stop playing, so I was worried I wouldn't play very well and would frustrate everyone else who was playing. I foresaw myself making terrible passes and because your teammates can't run for the ball, accuracy is even more important than usual.
After a brief introductory lesson on how to move around the court, I was ready to play. Or as ready as I was going to be. We did a bit of a group warm up with some drills and then got right into a game. I haven't had that much fun being active in a really long time. Just like sledge hockey, one of the greatest aspects of sitting volleyball is that I am able to play it exactly how you are meant to. I don't require any modifications or special allowances. Sure it's a modified version of volleyball but as far as sitting volleyball goes, I'm no different than any able body person playing.
As an added bonus, I had the opportunity to meet and play with a couple guys from team Canada. One of them actually being the guy who went through how to move around the court with me. I think I played pretty well, especially for a first time out. I definitely wasn't terrible. I even returned one really good hit from one of the team Canada guys. After the play, he asked the guy playing back row directly behind me if he had returned that. His reply, with a bit of a surprised expression on his face was, "no, Jen did." I felt really good about that, not to mention more confident about coming back to play again.
My arms weren't too sore the next day because I'm used to walking on my arms all day. My tailbone on the other hand was bruised. And not just, oh it was sore, there was actually a visible bruise. Not having a sitting bone on the right side puts a lot more pressure than usual on my tailbone, especially when you're sliding around the court and not thinking about how your weight is distributed or what you're sitting on.
Even though it hurt to sit for a couple days, there is no doubt in my mind that I will go back. I actually enjoyed it so much that I wouldn't mind looking into competing in the sport some day.
Sitting volleyball is essentially the same as 6s court volleyball, only the players sit directly on the court. The net is obviously lower, 1.15m in height (slightly lower for women), and the court is a little smaller, both in length and width. Most of the same rules apply, although in sitting volleyball you are allowed to block the serve. Additionally, you must have at least one bum cheek in contact with the floor when you make contact with the ball.
I had a blast playing on Thursday. Leading up to it I had been pretty nervous. I hadn't played in almost 2 years, since just before my diagnosis when I was told to stop playing, so I was worried I wouldn't play very well and would frustrate everyone else who was playing. I foresaw myself making terrible passes and because your teammates can't run for the ball, accuracy is even more important than usual.
After a brief introductory lesson on how to move around the court, I was ready to play. Or as ready as I was going to be. We did a bit of a group warm up with some drills and then got right into a game. I haven't had that much fun being active in a really long time. Just like sledge hockey, one of the greatest aspects of sitting volleyball is that I am able to play it exactly how you are meant to. I don't require any modifications or special allowances. Sure it's a modified version of volleyball but as far as sitting volleyball goes, I'm no different than any able body person playing.
As an added bonus, I had the opportunity to meet and play with a couple guys from team Canada. One of them actually being the guy who went through how to move around the court with me. I think I played pretty well, especially for a first time out. I definitely wasn't terrible. I even returned one really good hit from one of the team Canada guys. After the play, he asked the guy playing back row directly behind me if he had returned that. His reply, with a bit of a surprised expression on his face was, "no, Jen did." I felt really good about that, not to mention more confident about coming back to play again.
My arms weren't too sore the next day because I'm used to walking on my arms all day. My tailbone on the other hand was bruised. And not just, oh it was sore, there was actually a visible bruise. Not having a sitting bone on the right side puts a lot more pressure than usual on my tailbone, especially when you're sliding around the court and not thinking about how your weight is distributed or what you're sitting on.
Even though it hurt to sit for a couple days, there is no doubt in my mind that I will go back. I actually enjoyed it so much that I wouldn't mind looking into competing in the sport some day.
Tuesday 19 June 2012
Batter Up
My co-workers entered a team in a softball tournament this past weekend. It was by no means an experienced team. A handful play regularly or often enough but literally half of those willing to play had never played before. A couple didn't even know most of the rules, just the most basic.
I would have loved to join them but being on crutches makes that very difficult. It was a beautiful day though and I had said I would try to come along for support, so I went. After sitting on the sidelines cheering them on for a couple games, I wanted to play. Obviously I couldn't do everything. Or more accurately, most things. However, I was itching to try batting at least. I'm not sure what made me believe I could do this seeing I hadn't played baseball since elementary school gym class but I wanted to try. I figured I could bat and someone else could run for me. I do believe, technically, you have to at least run to first base before you can substitute in a pinch runner. But who's going to deny the girl on crutches a chance to hit.
Just before our last game I proposed the idea to the team. Everyone seemed on board. I did want to try it quickly before the game started to see if it was even possible though. Could I even swing while balancing without my crutches? After successfully making contact with the ball on the second try, everyone was like "you're in!" We were first up to bat and it was decided I would go first.
The look on the other team's faces was priceless as I "crutched" up to the plate. You could tell they were confused and trying to figure out how this was going to work. Once in place I traded my crutches in for a bat. I managed to get a hit and the girl running for me got on base. She went on to score a run as well. After all the excitement of me actually getting a hit and of her getting on base, someone eventually realised "oh ya, Jen can't move until we bring her back her crutches."
I went up to bat 3 times and got a hit each time. The girl running for me loved it. All day she had been striking out when she went up to bat. She said our arrangement was perfect, not only did she get to run now but it was without the pressure of having to bat.
I didn't think of it the first time but I was sure to get a video of me batting the next time up.
I would have loved to join them but being on crutches makes that very difficult. It was a beautiful day though and I had said I would try to come along for support, so I went. After sitting on the sidelines cheering them on for a couple games, I wanted to play. Obviously I couldn't do everything. Or more accurately, most things. However, I was itching to try batting at least. I'm not sure what made me believe I could do this seeing I hadn't played baseball since elementary school gym class but I wanted to try. I figured I could bat and someone else could run for me. I do believe, technically, you have to at least run to first base before you can substitute in a pinch runner. But who's going to deny the girl on crutches a chance to hit.
Just before our last game I proposed the idea to the team. Everyone seemed on board. I did want to try it quickly before the game started to see if it was even possible though. Could I even swing while balancing without my crutches? After successfully making contact with the ball on the second try, everyone was like "you're in!" We were first up to bat and it was decided I would go first.
The look on the other team's faces was priceless as I "crutched" up to the plate. You could tell they were confused and trying to figure out how this was going to work. Once in place I traded my crutches in for a bat. I managed to get a hit and the girl running for me got on base. She went on to score a run as well. After all the excitement of me actually getting a hit and of her getting on base, someone eventually realised "oh ya, Jen can't move until we bring her back her crutches."
I went up to bat 3 times and got a hit each time. The girl running for me loved it. All day she had been striking out when she went up to bat. She said our arrangement was perfect, not only did she get to run now but it was without the pressure of having to bat.
I didn't think of it the first time but I was sure to get a video of me batting the next time up.
Thursday 14 June 2012
It Takes Guts
The day following Relay For Life, I participated in the Gutsy Walk for Crohn's and Colitis. This is the 5th year in a row my girlfriends and I have participated. Money raised goes to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of Canada and in turn goes towards research to finding a cure. I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease 9.5 years ago and there is still no know cause or cure.
Our team was faced by a couple challenges that day. Not only was it extremely hot that day, but I'm on crutches and one of my friends is pregnant. At least the 4 of us that had done Relay For Life weren't still really tired from that. Later when I posted a photo of our team at the finish line, this is the caption I wrote to go along with it, "5km, 32 degrees out, crutches, 7 months pregnant but we made it!!!" It really sums up the day.
This year I raised $3,000 and as a team we raised over $4,000. Since the very beginning our team name has been "J Walkers". This year we decided to go ahead and make team t-shirts. "J Walkers" was written across the front and on the back "Walking In All Directions To Find A Cure." They turned out really well and we looked great as a team.
I've jokingly said to my friends, "I promise not to get any more diseases so we don't have to add another fundraiser to our list." I really hope I can keep this promise. I know we'll all be extremely happy if I can.
Our team was faced by a couple challenges that day. Not only was it extremely hot that day, but I'm on crutches and one of my friends is pregnant. At least the 4 of us that had done Relay For Life weren't still really tired from that. Later when I posted a photo of our team at the finish line, this is the caption I wrote to go along with it, "5km, 32 degrees out, crutches, 7 months pregnant but we made it!!!" It really sums up the day.
This year I raised $3,000 and as a team we raised over $4,000. Since the very beginning our team name has been "J Walkers". This year we decided to go ahead and make team t-shirts. "J Walkers" was written across the front and on the back "Walking In All Directions To Find A Cure." They turned out really well and we looked great as a team.
I've jokingly said to my friends, "I promise not to get any more diseases so we don't have to add another fundraiser to our list." I really hope I can keep this promise. I know we'll all be extremely happy if I can.
Wednesday 13 June 2012
Up All Night
We made it through. 7pm to 7am! Participating in Relay For Life this year was a really great experience and I did it with the most supportive friends anyone could ask for. It's hard to put into words how it felt to be there with such a wide range of emotions accompanying the night.
Before the event really began there was a Survivors' Reception where all the survivors had dinner and listened to a couple personal stories about why people relay. It was great to sit down and chat with other survivors. Others who have been through a similar situation. Others who know what it's like to sit down with a doctor and have them change your life forever. It was difficult listening to a girl about the same ages as me struggle to get through telling the entire group her story. She couldn't have been speaking to a more supportive group though. Everyone there understood just how hard it was as they themselves had been there or supported a loved one going through it.
To kick off the event they begin with the Survivors' Victory Lap. Anyone who has ever been diagnosed with cancer, whether they are still fighting, just finished treatment, or have been cancer free for years, participates in the very first lap. Often the focus is on those who have passed away from the disease, this lap is a way to celebrate and recognize all those who have been successful in their fight. It makes you feel like you've actually accomplished something. It's a reminder that yes, I did have to fight to be here. All the survivors get a yellow Relay For Life t-shirt, rather than a white one, and wear a blue ribbon that says "Survivor". It's kind of nice to have it out there in the open. Unlike always having to explain why I'm on crutches, which can get frustrating and exhausting.
Another big part of Relay For Life is the Luminary Ceremony at 10pm, where they line the track with personalized bags and light the candles within them. Luminaries are purchased either in memory of someone who has passed away from cancer or in honour of someone who has survived or is still fighting. I felt special having my very own luminary purchased by my friend. Once all of the luminaries were lit, I got to light my own, they turn off all other lights so the track is lit solely by the luminaries. Then everyone was gathered for a moment of silence followed by a very talented woman singing two beautiful songs. It was very emotional and it go to me. I'm not usually one to cry, at least not in front of people, so I think this may have been the first time one of my friends had ever seen me cry. The luminaries stay lit for the rest of the night and on our future laps around the track, we'd walk slowly and read all the messages written on them.
The only issue I ran into while the track was lit solely by the luminaries was that people could no longer see my crutches and occasionally bumped into them. Somehow this came up while we were talking to another team which ended up leading to my solution. This other team actually had glow sticks and were happy to give me a couple. We took the glow sticks and tied them to the ends of my crutches. They weren't super bright but it was enough to catch a person's eye so they were aware of them.
I could have done without the rain. It poured from about 12:30 - 3:00 am, let up for maybe 2 hours and then rained some more. It was a great night overall though. Great company, tons of food, perfect temperature and an obviously important cause. There's a good chance we'll do Relay For Life again but I'm not sure we'll stay all night. There wasn't much to do between 2am and 6am and the final lap at 7am was kind of anti-climactic. It was no different than any of our previous laps and there was probably only about 10% of the participants still there. I'd say more than anything, I would have more friends inclined to join us if they knew we weren't committing to the entire night. We'll see though. It's a whole year away.
Before the event really began there was a Survivors' Reception where all the survivors had dinner and listened to a couple personal stories about why people relay. It was great to sit down and chat with other survivors. Others who have been through a similar situation. Others who know what it's like to sit down with a doctor and have them change your life forever. It was difficult listening to a girl about the same ages as me struggle to get through telling the entire group her story. She couldn't have been speaking to a more supportive group though. Everyone there understood just how hard it was as they themselves had been there or supported a loved one going through it.
To kick off the event they begin with the Survivors' Victory Lap. Anyone who has ever been diagnosed with cancer, whether they are still fighting, just finished treatment, or have been cancer free for years, participates in the very first lap. Often the focus is on those who have passed away from the disease, this lap is a way to celebrate and recognize all those who have been successful in their fight. It makes you feel like you've actually accomplished something. It's a reminder that yes, I did have to fight to be here. All the survivors get a yellow Relay For Life t-shirt, rather than a white one, and wear a blue ribbon that says "Survivor". It's kind of nice to have it out there in the open. Unlike always having to explain why I'm on crutches, which can get frustrating and exhausting.
Another big part of Relay For Life is the Luminary Ceremony at 10pm, where they line the track with personalized bags and light the candles within them. Luminaries are purchased either in memory of someone who has passed away from cancer or in honour of someone who has survived or is still fighting. I felt special having my very own luminary purchased by my friend. Once all of the luminaries were lit, I got to light my own, they turn off all other lights so the track is lit solely by the luminaries. Then everyone was gathered for a moment of silence followed by a very talented woman singing two beautiful songs. It was very emotional and it go to me. I'm not usually one to cry, at least not in front of people, so I think this may have been the first time one of my friends had ever seen me cry. The luminaries stay lit for the rest of the night and on our future laps around the track, we'd walk slowly and read all the messages written on them.
The only issue I ran into while the track was lit solely by the luminaries was that people could no longer see my crutches and occasionally bumped into them. Somehow this came up while we were talking to another team which ended up leading to my solution. This other team actually had glow sticks and were happy to give me a couple. We took the glow sticks and tied them to the ends of my crutches. They weren't super bright but it was enough to catch a person's eye so they were aware of them.
I could have done without the rain. It poured from about 12:30 - 3:00 am, let up for maybe 2 hours and then rained some more. It was a great night overall though. Great company, tons of food, perfect temperature and an obviously important cause. There's a good chance we'll do Relay For Life again but I'm not sure we'll stay all night. There wasn't much to do between 2am and 6am and the final lap at 7am was kind of anti-climactic. It was no different than any of our previous laps and there was probably only about 10% of the participants still there. I'd say more than anything, I would have more friends inclined to join us if they knew we weren't committing to the entire night. We'll see though. It's a whole year away.
Thursday 7 June 2012
Relay For Life
In just 19 hours I will be participating in the Canadian Cancer Society's Relay For Life. It's "an all-night fundraising event to celebrate the lives of those who are living with cancer, remember loved ones lost to cancer, and fight back against the disease." It's a 12 hour event, lasting from 7pm Friday night to 7am Saturday morning. The idea behind it being an all-night event is that a cancer patient has
to fight the disease around the clock, cancer never sleeps and neither
will we. I'm really not sure if I heard that in some promotional material or if I came up with that explanation on my own. Either way it's true.
I attended Relay For Life last year in my home town but didn't stay for the entire night. I actually only went to participate in the Survivors' Victory Lap, the very first lap kicking off the event. The last day of my last round of chemo had been just 6 days before the event. In a way it was a really nice way to celebrate that I was done with that stage of my treatment. This was before my surgery so I was not on crutches but I was very weak so the one lap was more than enough for me. I went home right after.
I'm nervous about participating this year because it's all night, a lot of walking, and I'm sure I'll be exhausted but I am looking forward to the experience. I'm happy to be participating in the Survivors' Lap again this year. It's hard to explain how it feels to be recognized and celebrated for surviving cancer, but I will say it feels good. There's just so much love and support from everyone who has come to participate. It feels a little strange because I've always thought of my fight as something I had to do, not something I had a choice in. At the same time, it's a giant accomplishment and it's nice to have it acknowledged. It has now been an entire year since I've had any chemo treatments and this is a great event for celebrating that milestone.
I will definitely post an update about the event when, and if, I survive the 12 hours. It may take a couple days as I'm sure I'll want to sleep a good chunk of Saturday. And then I'm actually participating in a 5km walk for the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of Canada on Sunday.
If you would like to support me and the Canadian Cancer Society, you can make an online donation here DONATE NOW!
I attended Relay For Life last year in my home town but didn't stay for the entire night. I actually only went to participate in the Survivors' Victory Lap, the very first lap kicking off the event. The last day of my last round of chemo had been just 6 days before the event. In a way it was a really nice way to celebrate that I was done with that stage of my treatment. This was before my surgery so I was not on crutches but I was very weak so the one lap was more than enough for me. I went home right after.
I'm nervous about participating this year because it's all night, a lot of walking, and I'm sure I'll be exhausted but I am looking forward to the experience. I'm happy to be participating in the Survivors' Lap again this year. It's hard to explain how it feels to be recognized and celebrated for surviving cancer, but I will say it feels good. There's just so much love and support from everyone who has come to participate. It feels a little strange because I've always thought of my fight as something I had to do, not something I had a choice in. At the same time, it's a giant accomplishment and it's nice to have it acknowledged. It has now been an entire year since I've had any chemo treatments and this is a great event for celebrating that milestone.
I will definitely post an update about the event when, and if, I survive the 12 hours. It may take a couple days as I'm sure I'll want to sleep a good chunk of Saturday. And then I'm actually participating in a 5km walk for the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of Canada on Sunday.
If you would like to support me and the Canadian Cancer Society, you can make an online donation here DONATE NOW!
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