On October 19th, our family headed over to Swangard Stadium, in Burnaby, for the 1st ever BC “Walk Now for Autism”.

This was an amazing event to be a part of plus it was Braiden’s first race away from home too. It was another beautiful day and Nathan, Braiden, Dean and myself all made the trip over as the amazing & proud members of “TEAM BRAIDEN”! We sported our sweatshirts of course and added hats this time as well.
continue reading "BC’s 1st Walk Now for Autism"

October 12th, 2008  - Braiden participated in the Royal Victoria Thrifty Foods Kids Run.  This was a 1.2 Km race through downtown Victoria’s inner harbour.  It was a great day with the sun shining  and over 905 kids participating!  I think this was the largest group of racers Braiden has been a part of so far on his journey, but he was ready and not intimidated by all the athletes.  Brady woke happy and with a plan…to go Super Fast!  As we arrived at the starting area, Braiden located the start line and jockeyed for his position.  He chatted with the Motorcycle police officer as he always does prior to go time.  He also told the officer he did not like his bike- we all had to laugh.  Braiden apparently likes the white checked one best!  Next came the athlete warm up with Simon Whitfield doing ‘Simon Says’.  Braiden just wanted to get going at this point - who needs a warm up when you are a speed demon like Braiden right?!  Braidenhad a large support crew for this race with Grampa Barry and Grama Beth,from Kelowna, there to cheer him on as well as his Uncle Mike, Grama Terry and Grampa John waiting at the finish line with prizes and hugs.
continue reading "Royal Victoria Thrifty Foods Kids Run"

I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a disability to try to help people who have not shared that unique experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel. It’s like this…
“When you’re planning a fabulous vacation trip to Italy, you buy a bunch of guidebooksand make your wonderful plans. The Colosseum, Michelangelo’s David, the gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It’s all very exciting.
continue reading "“Welcome to Holland”"

Braiden found himself back downtown at the Legislative ground start line. This time he would race with his fancy new ski poles….all pro racer now! The race leader recognized Braiden from the Time Colonist race and knew he would be staying in the front…..and he did. He got ready, then GO………laughing and screaming he was off. It is always amazing to me how he is not intimidated by those around him, he just does his job…we all could learn a lesson in that i think!

Daddy, mommy and Nathan were shocked at how fast he was going today and how long he kept up that pace without help. It was a warm morning too, so he was working very hard. There were lots of encouraging supporters on the side of the road as we passed. Braiden kept focussed by trying to find the checkered color Motor Police escort vehicle. It was funny but the Police Officers were great.

On the home stretch, we could tell Braiden was tired. It was hard for him to keep going but he did……..he argued a little, laughed a little and used his scream power to help go the distance…..The race announcer encouraged him as he came within 20 m of the line and the crowd was amazing cheering loudly…..i nearly started crying because i know how hard each step is and understand that emotionally it is equally challenging for Braiden. But even after 1 km on his own, he continued to push himself to cross the line, to then retreat to his stroller and his newest toy & trophy.

Operation Track Shoes - ( June ) This was Braiden’s second year participating in OPERATION TRACK SHOES. This event has numerous activities going on all day with many athletes. It is an amazing event but for Braiden one of his more challenging with so much stimuli to potentially cause anxiety. We choose to only participate in a couple events and keep very positive during the time we are there. So Braiden signed up for the 100 m DASH and Ball Throw. When it came time for Braiden’s HEAT…we was assigned lane #5 which was perfect because SPEED RACER raced in a MACH 5 car. Braiden was thrilled! He got himself organized and then his friend and Baseball teammate, Marc was in the lane next to him. That was cool.

Prior to Braiden’s race, he noticed that the starter used a gun to start the races. So that took some explaining as to why there needed to be a gun but he organized himself, still didn’t like it, but accepted the fact. He got ready…….ON YOUR MARK, GET SET, GUN!!!

Off he went, he did not stop until the finish line; he was determined and got the job done. As a bonus he found toy race cars to reward his efforts. No time to rest and we headed to the ball throw event. Daddy and mommy stand in line while Nathan and Braiden take a tour around the UVIC track and also take a few moments for some needed encouragement from big brother and give each other hugs. Ball throw time brought along the sillies but it was in good fun. Braiden did one really good throw and one really good backward throw - Oops watch out for stray flying balls!! We all laughed and called it a day………

In June, Braiden participated with his teammates as a Lochside Lizard. He practiced the relay with his classmates during Gym time for weeks and made the commitment to race at the District #63 Track Meet. Each member of Mrs. C’s grade 3 class was a huge support to Braiden as he practiced and modifications were made to allow his participation. Braiden would compete in the 100 M and 4 x 100 Relay. Brother Nathan made support signs for Lochide School and we brought POM POM’s to cheer on all the athletes. We were ready!!

Braiden’s relay teammates showed true sportsmanship in racing with him at the meet and all crossed the finish line together - it was a huge display of teamwork and moment of inspiration. Congratulations Team Lochside! The 100 M dash was Braiden’s fastest race to date……he was a speed demon on this day! Although he finished far behind his fellow racers, he went from start to finish, he was happy & he was free. For those few minutes he was an equal and not limited by anyone or anything…..it was a very special moment and there were many tears of joy as people watched him race. By the end of the day…..Braiden had new friends from other schools, had gained respect from his peers and had inspired all who watched him today. Mom and dad were so very proud!

Thank you to Lochside school and staff who encouraged and supported Braiden to participate with his peers in his own way at the District Meet……and thank you for allowing Braiden to be himself , without limitation.

Braiden’s second event was the Kool FM Oak Bay Kids 1 Km Race May 25th, 2008. Braiden raced in this event last year as well so he was familiar with the environment - excited the morning of race day. He still asked why is KOOL spelled with a K and not a C though!! His very good friend Julie Griffin would also be there to encourage him and give him hugs. It was Julia who introduced Braiden to the ‘race circuit’ last year – she knew he could do it! Thanks so much Julia.

Prior to the race starting, Braiden got to check out the Police Cars this time and chat with the Police man. He also watched him competitors warm up and could not quite figure what they were doing since the announcer had not yet said the magic words - Mark -Set – Go. So he stood strong in his place at the start line and waited for the “Official’ instructions.

Then it was time…….the race begins! Braiden has a huge smile on his face, screams for extra power and goes super fast! Along the way he takes his breaks to chat to Julia and Daddy and then keeps going…he is travelling at his own pace today, but very happy and it is so cute. AS he rounds the corner and heads down the home stretch, Braiden is encouraged by the ‘fan’s along the finish line; he is also escorted and announced in by the KOOL FM MC - Very Cool. Through the tunnel he reaches Grama and today she has the “MACH 5 CUP” for our special young star. Way to go Braiden! It was a great day and Braiden finished the same way he started- with a smile on his face.

Braiden’s first big  event was the Victoria Time Colonist Thrifty’s Family Fun Run- a 1.5 km race held April 27th, 2008.

This was Braiden’s longest distance to date at 1.5 Km.  As Braiden’s mom, I was concerned this may be too long for him but without trying there is no possibilities!  So off we went to the start line at the Victoria Legislative Grounds. Braiden was eager to get going once we arrived and took a huge interest in the motor Police that would escort the racers.  It was time to start……Braiden was advised to go to the back of the line because it would be safer, but like his mother, he is a feisty competitor and he was not giving up his front row start position!  He took his stance…..the race organizer announces…..ON YOUR MARK, GET SET, GO!

Braiden shot off the line with the fastest kids and was not intimidated… His plan is to go forward and keep going until the finish line.   He starts out strong and fast taking in all the sights along the race path.  He is in search of the motor Police so this keeps him focussed.   About half way he begins to tire and needs some help so Daddy, mommy and Nathan take turns walking with Braiden and encouraging him.  There are fans along the way that also cheer Braiden on to the finish line.  After some help and a change of pace he gains his second wind and closes in on the finish line…it is an exciting sight…..in the distance we see the end, it is hard for Braiden to push through, exhausted from his efforts as well as from all the emotional excitement  but he keeps going just like he always does……and crosses the line on his own.  It was amazing!  Braiden looks for Grama for she will certainly have a surprise for him…… Today, Braiden is the winner of the “HERBIE CUP”!!  A definite challenge today  but also a rewarding & memorable one.