Volunteer Experience:
The people I have worked with and the experiences I have had during various volunteer opportunities have each become a critical force in shaping my perspective and life goals.
Cerebral Palsy Stationary Bike Race
Had an incredible experience at a Cerebral Palsy fundraising event in Winnipeg. The CP stationary bike race is an annual event that raises support and awareness for children with CP and their families. A photographer from the Winnipeg Free Press got an action shot of us cheering on our classmate. I was on a team of physiotherapy students from U of M and was very proud of my teammate's performance and dedication to the event that raised over $192,000 that day.
NeuroMotion
Assisting Physiotherapists and Kinesiologists in Lokomat training sessions. The Lokomat is a driven gait orthosis that automates locomotion therapy on a treadmill and improves the efficiency of treadmill training. I have been fortunate enough to witness the positive progression of strength and mobility in client's with neurological impairments such as multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, etc.
MOVE Adapted Fitness and Rehabilitation Society
MOVE’s fitness facility houses specialized exercise equipment designed to maximize the health and recovery of people with spinal cord and brain injuries, stroke, Parkinson’s, MS, Cerebral Palsy and other physical disabilities. I had the privilege to volunteer for MOVE when they were still in the set up stages of preparing their facility. I assembled fitness equipment, did handy work, and was on hand at the grand opening to collect information and answer questions about the facility.
Vancouver Island Health Authority - Glengarry Hospital
I volunteered in the Richmond Unit of Glengarry Hospital, assisting and facilitating mental stimulation programs for older-adult residents in order to maintain/improve cognitive functioning. The staff and the residents were wonderful to me. We all had a lot of fun each time we got together.
Nexus
Served as a board member during a strategic restructuring initiative for a church community charged with the task of re-evaluating the purpose, vision and operational mandate of the institution. This was an incredibly valuable and challenging experience. I was very happy with how the board became a cohesive unit throughout the process and am very proud of the final product we designed.
Outtatown
A cultural studies program that provided opportunities to work with homeless youth in the Winnipeg and Vancouver core, participate in education programs in remote communities in B.C., assist in elementary school classes in Soweto, and collaborate with locals in Capetown to develop and reinforce a community garden initiative. These experiences all contributed to a growing realization of the inherent benefits of supporting worthy social causes.
Sports
Coached a minor bantam A2 hockey team in Winnipeg during the 1998-1999 season. Duties included designing practices with appropriate levels of challenge to optimize progression and fun, as well as the more dynamic role of coaching during competition. This was a great learning experience in teaching and mentoring youth.
Volunteered as the athletic trainer for Victoria Racquetball Club's Peewee A hockey team. Duties included designing dry-land training sessions, dynamic warm-up sessions, facilitating concussion baseline testing, administering first-aid and documenting incidents and injuries. I was very grateful for the challenge of facilitating athletic training in this age group.
Volunteered as the athletic trainer for Victoria Racquetball Club's Peewee A hockey team. Duties included designing dry-land training sessions, dynamic warm-up sessions, facilitating concussion baseline testing, administering first-aid and documenting incidents and injuries. I was very grateful for the challenge of facilitating athletic training in this age group.