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Governor General Joins in Sledge Hockey Session

Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital and the City of Toronto were thrilled to be joined by Canada’s new Governor General, David Johnston, at a Sledge Hockey session on Saturday, November 13 at Phil White Arena in Toronto. This stop was part of David Johnston’s first official visit to Toronto.

Together with the City of Toronto, Holland Bloorview has offered accessible sledge hockey programming geared primarily to individuals with physical disabilities since 2007. Holland Bloorview and the City share the staffing, equipment, and expertise involved in the program, and many Holland Bloorview clients participate in the game.

Lisa and Chris Young have been coming to sledge hockey with their son, Tai, age 6, since last year. “Tai loves it,” says Lisa. “When it was first suggested, I was a little hesitant because I thought it would be too dangerous. I was wrong – it’s safe, the coaches are great, and Tai is completely engaged. I get to be a hockey mom freezing in the arena, which I never thought I would be!”

The excitement in the arena for the Governor General’s visit was palpable. Johnston strolled out to chat with the players on ice, but soon darted off to lace-up a borrowed pair of skates so that he could really get in the game. “I never let a good piece of ice go to waste!” he said. While at Harvard University, Johnston was twice selected for the All-American hockey team and is a member of Harvard’s Athletic Hall of Fame.

“Tai’s excited about all the activity going on,” said Lisa Young. “But mostly he just wants to get out on the ice and play!”

Sworn in on October 1, 2010, His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston is the 28th governor general since Confederation. In his inaugural address, he described his three priorities for his mandate as support for families and children, the reinforcement of learning and innovation, and encouragement of philanthropy and volunteerism. For more about Canada’s new Governor General, see his website.

Sledge Hockey sessions are available at Phil White arena on Saturday afternoons. For more information, visit www.torontosledgehockey.com or email Arnold Lopez, Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, at
alopez (at) hollandbloorview (dot) ca*(see Note below)

*Note: Copy the above e-mail address(es) into the To field of your e-mail message and reconstruct the e-mail address(es) by removing the spaces and replacing the “at” and “dot” with the proper symbols (@ and .) respectively.

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