the Daily Duke 3.12

Duke starts looking sad when he sees us pack our ski stuff. He likes to position himself as if to say "don't forget to take me."

An inspirational weekend

Owl's Head Special Olympics 2011 from kish.pisani@gmail.com on Vimeo.

What can I say except it was a very cool weekend at the Quebec Special Olympics Winter Games. We are so proud of our TEAM....we had five athletes attend and six medals. The alpine ski competition was made up of the best Special Olympics skiers in he province!

Louis was amazing...almost too amazing. Something "clicked" with his technique in the last week and he improved tremendously. The first run on Friday was for divisioning and he nailed it! So much so that he jumped up in a division, which meant more competition. We were so proud that the came in 4th or 5th in all three of the races. But more importantly, he was there to cheer on his teammates, one of which won silver in their division -- twice! He lived the Special Olympics oath..."Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me brave in the attempt." He was so happy for his teammates (as you can see from the video) and we are so happy that he is such a good sport.

We asked him on Sunday night what his favorite part of the weekend was...thinking he would say skiing. He said "my friends." That's what it's all about.

He had a great time sleeping in a school classroom with his team...eating meals, going to a dance and the most amazing opening and closing ceremonies. All the ceremonies were in French which made it difficult for some of us, but in a strange way, we could understand it all.

We can't say enough about the power, inspiration and pure joy that comes from watching these athletes...all of them.

Repeat Gold

It's Valentine's Day and my heart is warm. Louis won Gold again over the weekend at this year's Provincial Special Olympics Alpine Ski Championships. It was a long and rewarding day for Louis and all of his fellow athletes. And for the parents, coaches and volunteers.

It was the oddest weather day...one minute we would have a white out and then the sun would come out and then another white out. The conditions were difficult for the athletes with many of them falling on the race course. It's always hard to watch a fall. But each and every one of them would get up, put their skis back on and finish the race. (they can't receive any help on the course, if they are even touched by anyone they get disqualified). They did great despite the weather, not being able to take a practice run and only being able to do one Giant Slalom in the morning and Slalom in the afternoon.

This race prepared the athletes for the upcoming Special Olympics Quebec Winter Games March 4-6. Louis will join his team and the other racers and winter sports athletes from around the Province for a weekend of competition. We are ready!

Louis gets ready for his race

Danielle was his coach for the day- cheering him on as he skied and at the bottom

Watch out Bode Miller

There's another American tearing up the slopes in Canada....

Our media star....to see an article on Louis and Special Olympics, click HERE

We couldn't be more proud....

And in case you can't get enough...there's another article HERE


P.S. If after reading the first article you're wondering why Kish changed her name...or didn't change her name...you can read about that in a post from last year HERE.