Four Fernie Secondary School students travelled all the way to University of Victoria on June 9 to take part in Operation Trackshoes, an annual sporting event that brings athletes with disabilities together.
Danika Galla, Nadia Kleopzig, Jacob Webb and Liam Warr competed in the 100 metre sprint, 400 metre run, ball throw, standing jump and relay. They participated in a few recreational activities as well, including croquet, tug-of-war, sack and wagon races, and a basketball throw.
The students attended the event alongside athletes from across the province and from other Kootenay communities like Castlegar and Nelson. Awards were distributed based on participatory spirit rather than times and scores.
“On our way home, the girls were talking loudly in excitement about how much fun they had. Passengers on the plane stopped me and were saying, ‘oh it sounded like you guys had a wonderful trip.’ It was so heartwarming just being part of the whole experience,” said special education teacher Rita Cain, who accompanied the students to the event with co-worker Terri Hansen.
Operation Trackshoes focuses on fostering connection and building community. During down-time, students attended karaoke, watched movies and listened to a live band. There was a formal banquet and dance.
“For students with Down syndrome who are in the East Kootenays, you don’t see a lot of others that look like you. Here, you’re in the dining hall at UVic and everybody has some sort of developmental disability, so it was really amazing,” said Cain.
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The Fernie athletes fundraised extensively for the trip. They collected bottles, sold pizza at lunch and worked the concession at Ghostrider games. Many community businesses and organizations chose to sponsor the students, including Fernie Lions Club, Element Homes, Fernie Home Hardware, Foothills Silvaculture Inc., Fernie Alpine Resort and Teck.
Cain said there are opportunities for people with developmental disabilities to become involved in sports in the Kootenays, but that programs can face limitations. Elk Valley Special Olympics gives youth the chance to participate in bowling, bocce, golf and swimming year-round, but it has been unable to expand its programs to include sports like track and field due to a lack of volunteers.
Operation Trackshoes faces similar issues. Organizers announced the event would not be running next year due to low volunteer numbers.
“Our students had one-to-one youth counsellors that hung out with them for the whole weekend, so I think to find that many volunteers was a strain on the organizers,” Cain explained.
“Had it been an annual event that was going to continue, we would have made it an annual trip. That’s why it was extra special because it was a one-time opportunity.”
“We’re hoping it comes back, but maybe in a different form with new organizers. It was disappointing that it was the last one, but really exciting that we got to experience it,” she added.
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