At the OTC for the DAL by Angela

“OTC” Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs for the Developing Amazing Leaders Paralympics Conference by Angela

05/02/2010

I'm here at the OTC Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs for the Developing Amazing Leaders Paralympics Conference. I am not a big fan of the snow and the cold. The kids at the rowing program gave me a beanie at my send off party since they knew I was beanie training for England. They are so thoughtful! This is a perfect place for beanies. It did feel strange wearing one around Southern California in 75-degree weather.

I have attended some of the sessions here as well as being a presenter at this event. I went to one on track and field. I was just curious after competing in the throwing events at the Veterans Wheelchair games. I wanted to see what class I would be and how my untrained, unskilled only thrown these things 2 times in my life throws would register on the national team. I made the A team elite with my distances SWEET good to know but won’t be trying out for the team. Their nationals are in June and I will be in England then. Maybe next year! I also attended a couple of sessions on coaching. I have met many super people here, all dedicated and passionate about the Paralympic movement and the development of sports programs for people with disabilities.

I did my presentation this morning. It was well attended and well received. I received many compliments and heard positive comments and buzz about my session. On the bus on the way home from the reception there was a cross-country skier who did not attend my presentation but had told me he had heard many good things about it from others. We had one of those “so that was you” moments. He had his own personal presentation or 1 on 1 question and answer session on the bus ride back to the OTC. I wanted to give him a DVD but I had given them all away. I made the announcement of this new rowing project and it looks like we will have many more people following online, way cool!

There is a session I want to attend tomorrow on a new rowing program in Texas and then we fly back to LB. I want to give a shout out to all our rowers at the California Adaptive Rowing Program. I miss them already and I have only been gone a few days.


Angela