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Archive for December 2010

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Last night, I went to the New York Rangers vs. New Jersey Devils hockey game, and thankfully, the Rangers won! Same as I did when I went to the New Meadowlands Stadium recently, I was curious of the accessibility of the Prudential Center. While I only saw one wheelchair user, I tend to think that because the arena is fairly new 9only a few years old) it must be accessible.

Aside from the accessibility I thought of not just hockey, but sled (or sledge) hockey! It's the same principle as able-bodied hockey, expect the blades aren't on the players' feet, they are on the bottom of the bucket/sled the player sits in.

Check out this story, Winter Sports for People Living with Paralysis, to learn more. The story features sports like adaptive skiing, luge, and sled hockey.I spoke to the Northeast Sled Hockey League last winter, and I'll tell ya, these players are passionate about their sport!

Happy hockeying!

Merry, merry and happy, happy

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

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I think finally I am getting in the holiday spirit. Christmas is only three days away (though Christmas Eve is a bigger deal in my Italian family) and I finally have that cheery holiday feeling. Maybe it's the relief that all my shopping is done, or that I was helping my mom bake the other night, or maybe it was the fact I dressed up as a dELFin at the Foundation's holiday party yesterday. Yes, I said it.. a dELFin. Not an elf, not a dolphin... a dELFin! (Pictured)

While I am never one to make New Year's resolutions (though if you have one, share them!,) I do usually take these last few days of the year to look back on the year as it past. I'll tell ya, overall, 2010 wasn't too shabby at all! Pretty awesome if I must say so myself!

Sure 2010 had its downs, every year does, it's simply inevitable. But one can not sit back and dwell on the negative. It's much easier to smile and have a laugh than to frown and complain!

So as I sit here and think a bit about the year in review, as much as I am getting ready for Santa to shimmy on down the chimney (okay, we don't have a chimney, so he sneaks through the front door), I think about all the years' past. The holidays sadly don't seem the same as they did when I was a kid. We're all getting older and it is almost as if the thrill has diminished.

I no longer sprint down my steps in my snowmen pj's and start yelling when I see a pink bicycle sitting next to the tree. I don't go shopping at my grammar school's holiday sale that they set up in the lunch room and buy the mugs or plaques that say "#1 MOM" or "Mr. Fix It" on them. I no longer pack that pink Beauty and the Beast duffel bag on Christmas morning to bring up to Aunt Stella's house to show her all my presents.

All this and more, I miss. It's weird in a way because all I can think, is where did it go, when did I grow up? In the end, this isn't a bad thing now is it? Makes me cherish those memories and look forward to making new ones.

So while I grow up and there's no longer sprinting down the stairs in snowmen pj's, there is an appreciation I am learning more and more that didn't always come wrapped up in a box under the tree.

Happy holidays everyone, I hope 2011 brings you health, wealth, and happiness!

Mission accomplished during football Sunday

Monday, December 13, 2010

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Yesterday I attended the Dolphins vs. Jets football game here in Jersey. While I went of course to cheer on my Phins, I was there on other missions, too. 1. I wanted to see the accessibility of the newly built stadium and 2. This was my first game in person since the Eric LeGrand injury so I had some mixxed emotions about the game of football.

First, I'll tell you about the accessibility of the stadium. Which by the way, reminds me of a post from Blog Squad contributor Kristina Allen.

I noticed only two wheelchair users at the game, both while I was walking out of the stadium. But I noticed even more so that New Meadowlands Stadium was indeed pretty accessible. My brother (pictured with me at right with part of the stadium behind us) is at every home game. He was able to tell me about things I didn't pick up on yesterday, like the accessible elevators and seating areas, or how there are accessible and family bathrooms designated throughout the stadium; not just accessible stalls.

I did notice however that walking into the stadium, there were separate entrances and lines for those living with disabilities and their family or friends they were with. In comparison to the previous Meadowlands, I also took notice of how much wider the concession walk areas were. Of course I am sure that is to make it less jammed when fans are walking all at once, but this helps for wheelchairs users as well.

Aside from the accessibiltiy of the stadium, there was the whole reason I was there... for the love of football. While the Phins did win (Whoo Hoo! Fins Up!), the game encorporated everything I love about it. Hard hits, heartpounding "Hail Mary" plays, and the overall aura of the game.

There was one play in particular that stood out to me. It was when Dolphins quarterback Chad Henne got sacked (this happened more than once unfortunately :/). This particular sack was harder than most and probably even forced Henne to make an imprint of his body in the turf! Henne was hit, didn't see it coming, slammed the the ground, and I swear I saw his head bounce off the turf.

While the whole stadium was yelling and high-fiving the person next to them, I was silent. It was one of those "hold-your-breathe-for-a-second and gasp" type of hits. The kind where you hear the whole stadium go "ohhhhh!" When the hit happened, it took me back to thinking, how dangerous is too dangerous?

So overall, I would say yesterday was a success. The Phins won and I am able to say I took note of a newly-built and accessible building. Mission accomplished!

Janelle