Inspiring a new generation through the Paralympic Games

Paul Rosen knows how to turn a packed gymnasium of restless elementary school students into a captive audience. He reaches down, removes his prosthetic leg and raises it overhead. What follows has the power to inspire a new generation of Canadians.

Rosen, goalie of Canada’s Paralympic ice sledge hockey team, was one of five presenting Paralympians for the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic School Days pilot program developed by the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC). The pilot program – which toured British Columbia’s Lower Mainland and Sea-to-Sky Corridor in May and June – not only boosted excitement for Paralympic sports, but earned rave reviews from teachers.

“[VANOC] wanted to inspire and excite a new generation about the Paralympic Games,” said Kristina Molloy, VANOC Paralympic Games coordinator. “The schools really embraced the program and got right into the spirit of things.”

Getting Into the Games
Vancouver 2010 Paralympic School Days is intended to create a positive buzz around Paralympic sport, with increased attendance at Paralympic venues being another natural spinoff of the program.

Added Molloy: “This is a great way for [students and teachers] to learn about the Games in advance of them being here since they could potentially be going as spectators.”

The first 10 schools selected for the pilot phase of the program were selected by VANOC and included at least one school from each of the Olympic and Paralympic venue communities – North Vancouver, Richmond, Squamish, Vancouver, West Vancouver and Whistler.

Every stop on the pilot tour featured a motivational speech by a Paralympic athlete, a presentation on Vancouver 2010 and the Paralympic Movement, promotional videos, interactive sport demonstrations, a poster-drawing station and autograph sessions with the visiting Paralympian. Occurring In their school’s gymnasia, students were able to try wheelchair curling, sledge floor hockey on wheeled sleds and a cross-country sit ski on wheels.

Understanding Takes Questions
Fun and games aside, in Rosen’s view, the Paralympic School Days program is imperative for teaching kids that Paralympians are “athletes with disabilities, not disabled athletes.” He has seen every kind of reaction, from raised eyebrows, to unease, to curiosity. But no matter the reaction, Rosen is open to any questions or comments because his measure for success is the amount of dialogue he can stir up. Any question is a good question.

Rosen makes a living from corporate speaking events but says nothing tops the reward of volunteering for school programs. He started speaking in schools five years ago – only two years after the amputation of an infected leg .

“The greatest thing is when kids come up to me afterwards and sort of mob me,” Rosen beamed. “I feel like a Wayne Gretzky or a professional athlete as opposed to an amateur athlete.”

This May, Rosen spoke at Talmey Elementary School, in Richmond, where he made a lasting impression. Grade six and seven teacher Kathy Pantaleo says Rosen’s visit was unquestionably “one of the best things to happen to Talmey in its 14 years.”

Pantaleo knew her students were engaged because of how much thought they put into their questions. Some questions were new to Rosen, such as “If you could take a magic pill to get your leg back, would you take it?”

“My answer was obviously no,” said Rosen. “I wouldn’t take my leg back now. I’ve learned way too much about myself since I lost my leg – about the good and the bad, and about what you need to be a good person.”

A Guide to Life: How to Overcome Adversity
Overcoming adversity in life. That’s the core – both of Rosen’s message and of many Paralympians. This is coming from a man who went from working as a corpse handler in a funeral home, to becoming a key member of Canada’s ice sledge hockey team.

Above all, Rosen’s message to students is to be positive.

“I want them to strive for greatness,” said Rosen. “Too many kids settle for mediocrity and I want them to realize, by the time my talk is over, that anybody who tells them they’re a loser or they can’t add up to greatness really doesn’t matter.”
Nearly every Talmey Elementary School student wrote letters of thanks or drew posters of inspiration for Rosen. To Pantaleo the program was tremendously successful in heightening awareness of some of Canada’s most accomplished athletes.

Increasing the Reach
The Paralympic Games have a relatively young history. The first-ever Paralympic Winter Games took place in Sweden in 1976. During the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games, approximately 600 athletes will compete in five sports and in more than 60 separate medal events.

While Paralympic sports have yet to maximize attendance rates and media coverage, overall awareness is gaining momentum. With the success of the Paralympic School Days pilot program, Molloy says VANOC is in the early stages of seeking ways to reach as many students as possible – both to fuel this awareness, and build enthusiasm. Step by step, initiatives such as Vancouver 2010 Paralympic School Days are building a Paralympic sport fan base, one school at a time.