Little Jordyn Skidmore-Travers is giggling. Mounted piggyback on Kessa Beddington, the seven year old is all smiles as the two make their way along the Royal Bay secondary track.
Just days away from Operation Trackshoes, an annual sports festival for participants with developmental disabilities, Skidmore-Travers is looking forward to a fun-filled weekend.
Beddington, a Langford resident, says thatB次元官网网址檚 a common sentiment among athletes. B次元官网网址淭alking to competitors (you) see itB次元官网网址檚 the thing they look forward to all year. Sometimes they come from the Mainland or come from a long distance and itB次元官网网址檚 a big weekend. Seeing how valuable a time it is for them makes me want to do it.B次元官网网址�
Beddington is a volunteer councillor for the event, a role akin to a camp councillor. She helps participants like Skidmore-Travers, who has visual impairment, cerebral palsy and epilepsy, staying with them for the weekend and helping them get to and from their scheduled events.
Participants compete in sports including the ball throw, high jump, sack race, wheelchair gym games, bocce, leapfrog, the 50-metre dash and others. The annual event, which happens this year from June 10 to 12 at the University of VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 Centennial Stadium, also includes group meals, dances, karaoke and an awards ceremony.
B次元官网网址淚 think (the best part) is just the people I have gotten to know and the relationships I have built, seeing how much an impact a weekend of your life can do for others,B次元官网网址� Beddington said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 super fun, whether you are a competitor or volunteer.B次元官网网址�
Despite volunteering with the event for a decade now, Beddington doesnB次元官网网址檛 plan on stopping anytime soon. She encouraged others to get involved.
B次元官网网址淚f anyone has a spare weekend and wants to be involved in an amazing opportunity, check it out B次元官网网址� there is nothing like it, thereB次元官网网址檚 really not,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not just councillor and competitor, we are there as friends. We may be strangers at the beginning of the weekend, but by the end there are lasting connections.B次元官网网址�
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