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News and Current Events

Timmy’s Transitioning Trip

June 8, 2010

Timmy and friends

In May, Timmy and his new friends visited a middle school in Cranbrook. They were excited to get a sneak preview of the school they will attend in September. They’ve created this book to share their experience with others.

Getting to know the “Man in Motion”, By Spencer Williams (with added questions by Deacon Jones)

May 17, 2010

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Rick Hansen is best known for completing an epic journey called the Man In Motion World Tour in 1987. He is a natural athlete who won all-star awards in five sports in high school. His first “big dream” was to represent Canada at the Olympics.

Read More

Paralympic Torch Relay - Brandon F.

May 15, 2010

Brandon Carries the Olympic Torch

Watch Brandon F. carry the torch amongst cheering fans in Esquimalt, Vancouver Island.

Freedom Is . . .

April 26, 2010

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Using the technology provided by SET and CANAssist, A number of SETBC students at Penticton Secondary have put together a video on the meaning of freedom. 

Watch the video on YouTube

Leading by Example

March 22, 2010

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Spencer William writes:

On Wednesday March 10th , 2010 something amazing happened. Rick Hansen once said,

"The goal you set must be challenging. At the same time, it should be realistic and attainable, not impossible to reach. It should be challenging enough to make you stretch, but not so far that you break."

With that in mind I set out to carry the Para-Olympic Torch in Maple Ridge with Thirty-One other Torch Bearers. This was part of first ever Para-Olympic Torch Relay in Canada. I knew I was too far out of my comfort zone but I also knew I tons friends and family patiently waiting to see me make history and couldn’t let them down. Before my Torch Run I kept thinking about Ryan Barclay, a friend of mine that passed away recently who lived with Muscular Dystrophy.

What I learned from his passing is that life is too short, do what you can while you can. As I  came across the finish line I was greeted by thousands of cheers, scrams and even a giant “GO SPENCER” sign made by my friend Alexis Scigliano  and her family. Leadership to me is leading by example and being a  Participative Leader, rather than taking autocratic decisions, seeks to involve other people in the process, possibly including subordinates, peers, superiors and other stakeholders. Often, however, as it is within the managers' whim to give or deny control to his or her subordinates, most participative activity is within the immediate team.

Kate and Grace Carry the Paralympic Torch

March 13, 2010

Grace writes "Hi guys here are the pictures of the torch run. It was pouring out and i froze. But it was amazing."

magnify icon Click on photos to enlarge

Kate writes "Today I carried the Paralympic torch... I was soo excited and nervous!   Our day started with a 5:30am briefing with about 15 other torchberers.  We introuduced ourselves and told each other our stories. Some  amazing people with wonderful stories.   After the meeting, we got our torches and headed out.   Our families gathered inside a Starbucks to stay out of the rain.  At 7:50 am, my best friend Grace was approaching with the torch. I was so proud of her.  She came up to me, our torches "kissed", and it was my turn to go.  Overwhelmed,I headed down the street. 

Crowds were cheering , horns were honking, the feeling was unbeliveable.  I was trying so hard to just enjoy the moment and make it last.   At the end I met Sam Sullavan- a very cheerful man.   He was the former mayor of Vancouver.  What a nice man he was!  Cammeras and Supporters surrounded me.  

Apparently, I was on the morning news!  Complete strangers were asking for my picture.  i guess it was becaus my smile was so big!.  i'm so glad we bought the torch because every time I look at it,I'll remember this very special day! "  From Kate Torch Bearer#224

Disabled Curling Rocks

March 13, 2010

Katie writes, "Tonight at 6:00, i went to my first Paralympic event, wheelchair curling. I went with my cousin Steph, who's is staying with us for a couple days. Her and I went down to the Paralympic Centre to watch the event. We were both very excited, and very curious. I was supposed to be interviewing athlete, but i didn't know very much about the game, so today I just observed. A lady, Audrey met us outside,to give us our tickets. We got front row seats!

The game was great to watch. It was amazing to see people in wheelchairs do the sport, and play this hard! The athletes get to bring their wheelchairs on the ice to play. They get a long pole to throw the puck. It has a hook that clings on to the rock. From there its just played like a able bodied game, throwing the rock into the ring. There were 8 countries, in different lanes. Canada, USA, Sweden, England, Korea, Peru, Czech Republic, and China. They all did very well, and I was excited to be there. Back at curling tomorrow with some interview questions."

A Lifetime of Success

Mar 13, 2010

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Spencer writes about Sam Sullivan:
"Sam Sullivan- Former Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan has a decade-plus experience in municipal politics, plus he is a member of the Order of Canada, and is the founder of six charitable foundations. Sullivan had said that he became the Mayer not because had a disability but because the city of Vancouver was so accessible" read more

 

Spencer Interviews Christina Adams:
Manager of Education Programs, VANOC

Mar 08, 2010

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Spencer reports on Vancouver 2010:
"I had a chance for a one on one chat with Christina about the Paralympics Games in Vancouver and her involvement with Project Blue Sky. For those who don’t know Project Blue Sky, it is a carbon reduction initiative led by Olympic, Paralympic and high performance athletes. They challenge individuals and groups to fight climate change." read more

Frank Reports on the Olympics

Mar 03, 2010

Frank with other highschool students

Mt. Baker student, Frank Robertson, had the adventure of a lifetime in Vancouver from Feb. 10-17.  Frank participated in an educational program sponsored by Historica Dominion Institute of Canada and 2010 Legacies Now. 

He was sponsored in this program by SET-BC.  He and nineteen other high school students from across Canada were given press passes and tickets to events related to the Olympics.  For seven days, they attended a wide variety of events, and recorded their experiences in written reports, photos and videos. read more.

Steven Featured in Burnaby Now

Mar 03, 2010

Steven using a pole cam

Steven is recording Olympic and Paralympic events on a pole cam attached to his wheelchair. Read all about it in Burnaby Now.

Go Frank!

Feb 10, 2010

Brandon Reports on the the Olympic Torch Relay

Feb 9th, 2010

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Brandon and his family, along with about 15,000 other people, recently watched the Olympic Torch Relay pass through Kelowna.  Brandon and his CEA created this Clicker activity to report on the event.  They used photos from their local news websites and report that the event was very exciting.  Enjoy Brandon’s report.

Olympic & Paralympic News

January 29th, 2010

Frank Kyle spencer spencer

Read articles written by SET-BC Olympic and Paralympic Journalists about their Olympic Inspirations.

Read More

Grace and Kate's next adventure

January 20th, 2010

"My name is Grace. I am 13 years old and I have a condition called Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita Amyoplasia. My best friend Katie Gibbs and I are going to be reporters and official torch bearers for the 2010 Paralympics in Vancouver BC. I am reporting on Sledge Hockey and Katie is reporting on Alpine Skiing. We are very excited to be reporters. In Katie’s words, “it is going to be very emotional to see what disabled people can do”. Find more about Grace and Kate's Olympic and Paralympic Reports.

grace and kate

Deacon Interviews Jay

Jan14, 2010

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Deacon Jones, a Vancouver student who is visually impaired and who is a reporter for SET-BC’s Virtual Voices Village interviews Jay Stiteley. Jay is the Outreach Specialist with The Seeing Eye in Morristown, New Jersey and internationally recognized for his expertise in Orientation and Mobility(O and M). In this interview Jay addresses the importance of basic O and M competencies for a blind person, what guide dogs can and can’t do and some of the potential advantages in using a GPS system.

Listen to Deacon's Interview

Trevor's Journey

Jan 10, 2010

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Trevor Hirschfield, a graduate from Ballenas Secondary School and a former SET-BC student, is also an accomplished paralympic athlete.  He plays on our National Wheelchair Rugby Team and is known for his offensive strength. 

He helped his team win a bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Games.  Wheelchair Rugby is an aggressive, strategic, fast moving, and hard hitting sport - click to see a picture of his team and to learn more about rugby

Learn more about how Trevor came to play Wheelchair Rugby.

Timmy visits a school

Dec 15, 2009

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Through the talents of Victoria animator Ken Leslie and his friends, Timmy Technology comes to life. SET-BC is pleased to host this animation of Timmy visiting a SET-BC student in a remote location.

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National Child's Day celebrations in Ottawa

Dec 4, 2009

Grace

kate and grace

Region 4 SETBC students, Kate Gibbs and Grace Brulotte, were invited by CanAssist to participate in National Child’s Day celebrations in Ottawa November 23. The girls made short speeches and showed off their technology to an audience of 300 students in the nation’s senate.

Check out the CTV news story

Submission to our November Activity

Dec 01, 2009

go to mathews' presentation

Thanks to Conner, Jordan, and Brandon for their writing presentations on the Olympic Torch - maybe Brandon will report on the Olympic Torch when it travels through his home town, Kelowna, at the end of January!  Prizes for their hard work are on their way…

View their work

Mathew's Presentation on Assistive Technology

Nov 22, 2009

go to mathews' presentation

Matthew Grace, a Grade 12 student attending Golden Secondary School, shares information on the types of technology that can help students who have physical access challenges.  He created and narrated his presentation on PowerPoint – have a look at his fine work!

Steven's Time in Ottawa

Nov 19, 2009

steven with friends

In Steven's words...

Oh man, where to begin?  I guess I’ll start with Day 1.

 

Steven's Momentous Day

Oct 30, 2009

Steven using a pole cam

In Steven's words ....

It was Friday October 9th and I had no idea what would be happening. The plan was this: Go to school, leave at 11:30, go to a demo for some new camera. Well, when me and my mom went down to West Hastings for the demo, it felt like it might be the first day of a whole new life. To begin with, the first thing they told me was that I was accepted to the Olympic Student Reporters program. That means that I will be going to Ottawa to participate in Encounters With Canada! If that didn't blow me away, ... read more

View Halloween Ghost Stories Submissions

Oct 29, 2009

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Brandon, Thomas, Brennan and Pavi submitted scary ghost stories for our October Challenge.

View Entries

 

How Kyle started learning about web design

Oct 2009

KJ Projects and Customs website thumbnail

Here is an essay by Kyle about his interest in Web design. His interest was developed in elementary school and carried onto highschool where he is currently taking Web Design 11.

Read the full essay.

Steven interviews Jacky Timothy, a First Nations carver, about his latest creations

September 2009, Excerpt from the article.

"Cancer, alcoholism, suicide, and heart problems are all taking their toll on Sliammon, a small First Nations community near Powell River.  How better to remember the many lost souls by creating a totem pole in their honor.  The chief of Sliammon had the idea to let people submit designs for a totem pole.  Jackie Timothy had the best design and was asked to create his design.  He said yes." read more

Steven writes about his head shave experience

September 2009

head shave
"It was the day of the Cancer Head-Shave at my high-school, Burnaby Mountain Secondary School.  I was going to get my head shaved for cancer.  The main reason for this is because my grandfather died of cancer."  read more

View previous school year

Check out the stories from our Accessible Book Writing Contest

We have 12 wonderful entries.
Turn on your speakers and start the show!

Timmy Technology

Timmy Technology is practicing for the Paralympics. Play the Switch Curling Game!