Access Files Episode 22: Hockey Is Hockey No Matter What!

Sean Ross Memorial

With the Paralympic Games coming up in September, this episode, we talk to veteran power wheelchair players Donald Barrie and Neil Mercer, where we touch on the following topics:

  • Don’s first foray of wheelchair hockey starting at Sunnyview Public School
  • Neil compares power wheelchair to wheelchair rugby – for those that haven’t seen wheelchair rugby, check out Murderball
  • The power wheelchair hockey leagues in North America, specifically in Toronto, CEWHA and TPWHL, and the tournaments such as the Powerhockey Cup
  • A new competitor electric hockey from Europe has a new league in Toronto, Volt Hockey League
  • Mitch serenades his team’s former goalie to come back
  • Neil is hosting the 5th Annual Sean Ross Memorial Classic at a beautiful outdoor venue in memory of his best friend Sean Ross on Saturday, August 20 from 1:00 to 5:00 PM

Join us as we cover some of these topics and more with Don and Neil!

Hey there! My name is Mitch Stark, I am an energetic, determined and outgoing 17-year-old. I use a power wheelchair to get around as I have a physical disability called Cerebral Palsy. Throughout my life I always work on trying to make the accessibility/disability space better for all. Last summer I volunteered at CJRU The Scope at Ryerson radio station. This is where my fight for the accessibility community really came alive. I hosted my own radio show called Access Files focusing on accessibility and disability issues. Mainly I interviewed politicians and individuals working in corporate communications. I look at my show as a way to express what is going on in our community. At the end of the day my goal is to relate what I am talking about on my show to the rest of Canadians who do not have disabilities. I think to myself, if I can do this this is when we will see you real change for individuals with accessibility needs. Next year I will be attending Humber College for journalism. I can truly say that my love for journalism came from my experience at CJRU. The radio station ultimately helped me find my voice and at the same time gave me some way to use it. I believe that if everyone uses their voice we can unite as one community. Uniting as one will leave us with endless possibilities for the future. So I ask you please join me and use your voice so that we can finally see real change for those with accessibility needs. I believe not only is this my fight, but it is everyone's fight because some day we will all need some type of accessibility, so why not start now! I hope we can work together now and in the future to make Canada accessible for all! To find out more about my radio show please visit cjru.ca Access Files airs every Tuesday and Saturday at 5 PM on 1280AM in Toronto and at cjru.ca.

Comments

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Loading Facebook Comments ...