Sunday, March 21, 2010

Disable This (Newsletter 2) - By Moses and Farhan Aboubaker

Farhan Aboubaker is a Canadian citizen living with polio (thus wheel-chair bound) which also means that he relies on Wheel-Trans as a form of Transportation.
However this service provider has failed his needs for accommodation, and has made his past and present attempts to obtain and keep jobs, or finish his education successfully near impossible. Likewise, to lead a quality independent life; not to mention the adverse effect they’ve had on his health and mental state over a chronologically documented series of events.
In order to understand the nature of his complaint against Wheel-Trans (TTC), one needs to follow the sequence of events that I am about to describe in the following paragraphs as they've happened to him, to the best of his recollection.

1) December 22nd 2006 - I was able to obtain funding from HRDC through a program called the Opportunity Fund ( please see details as to what this program's goal is all about at this page (http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/disability_issues/funding_programs/opportunities_fund/national_projects.shtml ), which allowed me to register for a Marketing w/Digital Media Diploma (a 52 weeks enrollment course at the Canadian Business College (www.cbstraining.com) located at 2 Bloor St. West).
I began calling Wheel-trans reservation to setup for my school scheduling as follows: 9:00 am – 2:00pm at the Yonge and Bloor entrance, which is next to the CIBC bank entrance facing The Bay building. This was done to anticipate further confusions on the part of their drivers who had no previous experience picking-up passengers at that location. I also preferred to set-up the scheduling with their One day in advance trip Reservations system simply because it was convenient for me, in anticipation for the days where my health was not good and it would allow me to not worry about being penalized for trips I did not keep(which I could not take because of my health), or at least so I thought.
I began experiencing that the lines were always busy when the reservations line opened up at 7 am. It usually took me more than 30 minutes to get through and another 5-10 minutes to reserve a ride for the next day.
I would do that from school since most of my pick up rides were early in the morning at around 7:15am (which I didn't mind, better early than late with Wheel-Trans was always my motto) and could only book my next day rides at around 11am once their lines were less busy, and I was on lunch break at school. By then I was told that my reservations will be put on a waiting list and each time they would suggest the prebook service method to avoid the waiting list, and that this would eliminate the need to call a day in advance and deal with the waiting time to get through.
I complied and accepted their suggestion, far from expecting that this will go against me for the days I will be sick, and the days where some of their drivers will no show me at the wrong entrance (which is not even wheelchair accessible since it has revolving or no/ working push button doors) of the school building.

2) February 26th , 2007 - I wrote an e-mail to TTC Chair Adam Giambrone over an incident that took place in February 13th, 2007 and how I was dealt with, please find a copy of that email and his response attached to this document, since it even pains me remembering that incident let alone go into the details of describing my ordeal once again.
To this day they have not addressed the above incident nor issued me any apology much less an explanation as to what was done about it.

3) March 6th, 2007 - that day my pick up time from school was 2:00-2:30pm, a Wheel-Trans bus driver showed up around 2:35pm, I boarded the bus, he realized that he’s not here for me but rather for an older Caucasian lady. He was however nice enough to call the dispatcher and asked if he could take me with him since I happen to be travelling the same route.
He was told, by the female dispatcher to leave me there and that my bus was seconds away. In fact, by the time the second driver arrived it was by then 3:05pm, far from seconds.
I recall that day as if it was yesterday. It was a beautiful sunny day, I asked the second driver why I was being picked up late again noticing that he was the same new driver who a week before that day, was late.
He dismissed me by saying that I would not understand how their scheduling works, that I shouldn’t be asking any questions, and that he didn't want to talk about it. At that point I complied and was silent throughout the trip. As well there was an older man next to me that day by the name of Mr. Singh, who seemed quite exhausted. He proceeded to drop Mr.Singh at his stop.
The driver stopped the bus at my address at around 3:35pm, came from the rear door and saw me taking off the seat belt that was around my waist. He then sarcastically said “Oh! I see you can untie your belt maybe you should also do the rest“ referring to the belts attached to my wheels, which obviously was his job to remove the hooks since I am unable to reach, and he had attached them to the wheels in the first place.
At this point I am frustrated and inconvenienced, by his lack of respect, much less his professionalism and I recall telling him to do his job and not cause me further stress than he already had, he proceeded in removing the remaining belts and forcibly held on to the back handles of my wheel-chair as I was turning around to exit the bus from the rear door, saying with authority “You are my responsibility and you will not leave my bus without me escorting you”. I told him to take his hands off my wheel-chair and with a sudden pull with my wheels forward was able to free myself from his grip and proceeded to use the back door to leave the bus as he threatened me with “I am reporting you to the inspector on duty at Wheel-Trans” while barracading himself and shutting down the bus engines, thus further delaying other riders, as well as myself that day.
My Community Housing Worker Eddie Fisher who along with my neighbor Stuart were my witnesses that day as I was coming towards them visibly upset and shaken from the experience I just had with that driver. I reached home and called Customer Service to report him.

4) Saturday March 10th, 2007 at around 10:49AM I received a call From Mr. Dean Milton (Customer Service Supervisor) I sensed from his tone and nuance in his voice during the conversation with him that he was less apologetic for the behavior of his driver, and more concerned about the very Driver who not only was dismissive but bullied me in that bus, and who chose to concoct a story about me abusing him.
Mr. Milton went on lecturing me about how their drivers are stressed, and that I am not supposed to even ask why was my ride was late. He ended by saying that he will further investigate, and that in future I should be calling his direct line at customer service.

5) March 12th, 2007 I get a letter from Mr. Milton (pls find a copy) of a possible suspension where I am partially admonished like a teenager, downplaying my perception and twisting everything I had said, to his convenience. He chose to believe his Driver, that I was the abuser to his Driver.
When in fact what I did was ask why was the bus excessively late? I also made it clear that I refused to be handled like a livestock, and ordered around with undue authority by some of their drivers.

6) June 28th, 2007 I was stranded by Wheel-Trans, my pick up time was 2:00pm - 2:30 pm. Terrence Wang, a fellow student at Canadian Business College helped me take the Subway, From Bloor to Spadina Station where I had to wheel myself all the way home to College St with great difficulty carrying my heavy handbag laptop, because my friend had to catch the next train to Scarborough before leaving me at the exit of that subway station.
I will spare you the humiliation I had to endure being carried up and down stairs and experiencing that some TTC stations were not Wheel-Chair accessible or their elevators not working that day.

7) July 23rd, 2007, my ride was scheduled for a 7:15am-8:00 am pick up, with a Wheel-Trans bus driver. Little did I know that the very driver who accused me of abusing him in March 6th and whom I got reprimanded for (by Mr. Dean Milton March 12th) would be the one showing up around 7:35am. I noticed that he cut his long hair and trimmed his moustache, probably thinking that I would not recognize him, he moved around the bus, fixing the mirror, pretending not to see me. I went towards the bus unassisted, and noticed that he purposedly placed me in front of where they hang those big belts of hooks made of metals and that he still had his usual tone of "do as I tell you or else I'll call the inspector", there was a lady seated to my right in the bus, listening to both of us arguing. I decided to leave the bus, before again being accused of doing worse things to him, and reported him.

8) I get a call few days later from Mr. Dean Milton, whom this time seemed perplexed that the very same Driver who accused me of abusing him would show up for my ride, and promised me that he would no longer be dispatched to me. I asked for a written explanation of all that had happened to me under his watch, to this day I am still waiting.

9) August 9th, 2007 I was awaiting (at Yonge & Bloor near CIBC entrance/exit door which is where I was supposed to be picked up from day one) as usual for my ride that was scheduled for 2:00-2:30pm. Around 2:40pm I started worrying and wondered if this was not another sign of being inconvenienced (delayed or worst, stranded!) by Wheel-Trans again.
From a distance to my left, at the corner of Cumberland & Yonge, I noticed a female bus driver from Wheel-Trans ready to stick a "no show" yellow slip on the wall. I rushed towards her and once I noticed that the note was for me, told her "This isn't where I am suppose to be picked up", in which she replied, (while smoking a cigarette) "This is where you asked me to drop you once".
I have asked drivers in the past to drop me off to this entrance as it leads straight to the food court service elevator. This I had requested out of convenience for me, to wait for my classes to begin. Whenever I was given an early ride (7:15am-8:00am) schedule from Wheel-Trans and had to wait until the school opens (which is at 9am), the food court of the building at 2 Bloor St. West was the most practical area to wait.
I didn't think that this would be her excuse to no show me, for she did not even apologize when I told her that she could have double checked with reservations, or even with the building securities at the CIBC door as they knew which entrance I usually waited to be picked up from on my way home every day.
I got dropped off at around 3:20pm, exhausted and stressed, I had to meet my friend Debbie at her house around 4pm. She is also a client and needed a few alterations done for her Business card that I had designed. With not much time to eat, I rushed and wheeled myself to her house located on Henry St.
Late at night around 11:00pm after dinner is when I had difficulty breathing on my left side, and was rushed by Debbie and Kempton (another friend) to Mt. Sinai Hospital Emergency unit, where I was diagnosed with a Spontaneous Pneumothorax, medical term for lung collapse, in my case the left lung only.
This subsequently led me being hospitalized at Toronto General Hospital, with a tube inserted in my left rib for 5 and a half days with no phone at my bedside.
Anyone calling on my behalf to Wheel-Trans Customer Service was grilled with questions in a rude manner, or was told that I should be the one calling in to book or cancel in the past, not anyone else on my behalf. Later I was to find out that they were counting the "No Shows" against me.

10) October 2nd , 2007 was not only my last day at school but was a day where I was stranded twice, spoken to rudely over the phone by the same belligerent Customer Service Representative (by the name of Janice?Janet or Dorris? Don't quite remember her name), the same rude woman I spoke with on February 13th for I recognized her distinct accent in her voice.
It was also the very day they dispensed me a letter (one of many) informing me of a 30 day suspension of Wheel-Trans Service which I received a week later, and that I had to call their Customer service if I wanted to appeal.

11) November 16th, 2007 around 3:20pm I received a call from Mr. Milton, this time I refused to talk to him and simply told him that it was too late, for damage and harm was already done as far as I was concerned, and I hung up the phone.
In Summary, it became very clear to me that I have been the object of discrimination, harrassment, and a series of reprisals in the guise of guidelines, a suspension, and letters ( I prefer to call them threats) that interfered with my schooling and quality of life. They also were used as a form of justified reprisal as stipulated in their guidelines, to punish me with, and remind me that I am at their mercy.
Under the Ontario Human Rights Code, R.S.O 1990, c. H.19, I believe that I have been the object of their (Wheel-Trans Customer Service & Staff, TTC Chair Adam Giambrone and his office) extreme prejudice, for I also feel that they used what they perceived to be my "Disability, handicap etc.." as a tool against me, my race and culture was also a possible factor which resulted in the unequal treatment (through their policy guidelines and abuse of authority), and in the humiliating manner and methods (reprisals and tarnishing my character) with which I was dealt with.
Wheel-Trans Management and decision makers have shown no regards towards my constitutional rights, much less my health and need for accommodation, ever since I voiced myself against the abusive treatment I had endured from some of their drivers and staff.
Rather than addressing the humiliating poor quality service which they subjected me to, they chose to dance around my case. At the same time they tarnished my character as abusive, and denied me due process, when I have no history nor reason of being as such with their drivers and staff (neither in the past nor present).
I personally have tried to resolve this with them as I have stated in my February 26th , 2007 e-mail that was addressed to TTC chair Adam Giambrone. When I could not get anywhere with their Customer Service Department, my case worker Lilly called them to request that they revoke their decision of suspending me from Wheel-Trans Service to no avail; what was given as a response was torment with the very transportation that was suppose to accommodate my needs, barrier free, and with dignity while going to school.
My position hasn't changed, what I sought and wanted then from the office of TTC chair still applies to past (and the latest) violations/incidents, and nothing short of justice will bring me peace of mind from those who violated my basic rights, and made my school trips difficult.
I also hope that their "no/show and cancellation guidelines" be tossed in the dust-bin of history, and that a separate body than TTC monitors their abuse of authority, by giving us a Direct Access Line when we are put in a situation of distress & despair. I am concerned that without this monitoring of abuse of authority, much worse and tragic situations may befall other passengers of Wheel-Trans (commited by unchecked and unscrupulous Wheels-Trans staff) before the service effectively acts to enforce and teach their staff all that their mandate purports itself to be delivering in regards to, our safety and dignity.
The following are the remedies I seek :

• Changes made to Wheel-Trans Policy & Guidelines according to our needs for accommodation, not one which is used as a Damocles sword for policy, and serves only the politics/policies and taste of the day of those who abuse authority and responsibility to their convenience.

• Apology for all that has happened on to this day, for I refuse to use a service that endangered not only my safety by lumping me with belligerent, ignorant and racist individuals as drivers but also who failed to address the issue and has caused me loss of time and health, both physically and emotionally in enduring a humiliating ordeal.

• Compensation for lost opportunities and damages caused to my person and health as indicated above.

• Guarantees that there won't be any form of reprisals in the future or any humiliating unequal treatment towards my person.

• I request a complete and fair Investigation from the Ontario Human Rights Commission to all that I have stated.


What is wrong with this picture;

1) No apology has been issued at any point to the Plaintiff.

2) An out-of-court was initially dangled by T.T.C Wheel-Trans Lawyers to the Plaintiff

3) The clients' lawyer drops the case, suddenly and unexpectantly after representing the Plaintiff for about 2 years.

4) Without legal counsel, the Plaintiff e-mails the Court for an adjournment towards a hearing scheduled for March 11/10 at 9:30 AM. He is denied. The Court is even aware that the Plaintiff's Lawyer just dropped the case, and that the Plaintiff is actively pursuing new Legal Counsel.

5) A final decision is made, with absolutely no chance of an appeal.

6) Neither the Plaintiff's MP - Olivia Chow, nor City News have offered any assistance towards reporting these series of events, despite continued efforts to contact them.

7) The Plaintiff is sidestepped and demoralized through the aforementioned proceedings.

8) The Plaintiff in this case has a post-secondary school education. He's an excellent communicator and is a recognizeable figure in his community, a role model to many.

9) The platform 'Disable This' Newsletter is being used in this case to try and lead our 'Disabled' into gainful employment, what most 'disabled' people strive for. This currently has been sidestepped, in the name of a 'Fair Hearing'. One which was conducted without both parties having legal representation.

Monday, March 15, 2010

Auto Manufacturers into the Future - by Moses

Auto Manufacturers

France

Citroen *

1) SX

Peugeot *

1) 505

Renault

1) Le Car

England

Rolls Royce

1) 1906 Silver Ghost
2) 1912 Carriage
3) 1979 Silver Shadow
4) 1982 Corniche
5) 2008 Corniche
6) 2008 Silver Shadow
7) 2008 Phantom Drop-head Coupe

Jaguar

1) 1927 S.S
2) 1967 E-Type
3) 1977 XJ-S
4) 1977 XJ-8
5) 1977 XJ-12
6) 1997 XJ-S
7) 1997 XJ-8
8) 1997 XJ-12
9) 2000 Sovereign
10) 2008 E-Type

Rover *

1) 1985 Rover 3600
2) 2000 Hummer
3) 2000 Land Rover
4) 2008 Land Rover
5) 2008 Hummer

Bentley

1) 1983 Sedan
2) 2008 Sedan

Lotus

1) 1983 Esprit
2) 1983 Elite
3) 2008 Esprit

Aston Martin *

1) 1937 Lagonda
2) 1977 Austin Mini
3) 1985 Lagonda
4) 1985 Vantage
5) 2005 DB7
6) 2008 Vantage
7) 2008 Vanquish
8) 2008 DBS
9) 2008 DB9
10) 2009 d77

Triumph

1) 1974 T6
2) 1977 T7
3) 1977 Spitfire
4) 1979 T8

Other Notables; Packard, MG

U.S.A

G.M (General Motors) *

A) Chevrolet

1) 1957 Chevy
2) 1957 Corvette
3) 1977 Corvette Stingray
4) 1979 Camero
5) 2008 Corvette
6) 2008 Camero
7) 2008 Malibu
8) 2008 Lumina
9) 2008 Impala
10) 2008 Cavalier
11) 2008 Avalanche
12) 2008 Blazer
13) 2008 Suburban

B) Pontiac

1) 1980 Trans Am
2) 1986 ½ Fiero
3) 1987 6000 SX
4) 1990 Bonneville SSE
5) 2008 Bonneville SSE
6) 2008 Grand Prix
7) 2008 Grand Am
8) 2008 Solstice
9) 2008 Vibe

C) Buick

1) 1980 Skyhawk
2) 1980 Riviera
3) 1980 Regal
4) 1983 Century
5) 1983 Park Avenue
6) 1990 Regatta
7) 1993 Regal 8000S
8) 2008 Riviera
9) 2008 Allure
10) 2008 LeSabre

D) Cadillac

1) 1979 Fleetwood
2) 1979 Coupe de Ville
3) 1979 Sedan de Ville
4) 1979 Seville
5) 2008 Escalade
6) 2008 CTS

E) Oldsmobile

1) 1899 Runabout
2) 1977 Cutlass Supreme
3) 1982 Cutlass Supreme Ciera
4) 1982 Delta 88
5) 1985 Ninety-Eight
6) 2006 Alero

F) GMC

1) 2008 Jimmy
2) 2008 Van
3) 2008 Sports Utility Vehicle

Ford

A) Ford

1) 1905 Model T
2) 1955 Shelby
3) 1957 Thunderbird
4) 1964 GT
5) 1967 Mustang
6) 1986 Mustang 5.0
7) 2008 Thunderbird
8) 2008 F150
9) 2008 Bronco
10) 2008 Escape
11) 2008 Explorer

B) Lincoln

1) 1977 Continental
2) 1977 Town Car
3) 2008 Town Car
4) 2008 Continental

C) Mercury

1) 1979 Cougar
2) 1985 Grand Marquis
3) 2008 Cougar
4) 2008 Grand Marquis
5) Mystique

Chrysler

A) Chrysler

1) 1983 Le Baron
2) 1983 New Yorker
3) 2008 Sebring
4) 2008 Intrepid
5) 2008 Neon
6) 2008 Concorde
7) PT Cruiser

B) Mercedes

1) 1930 Mercedes Benz
2) 1982 450 SEL
3) 1982 280 SEL
4) 1997 500
5) 2008 500

C) Dodge

1) 1984 K-Car
2) 2008 Viper
3) 2008 Stratus
4) 2008 Durango
5) 2008 Magnum
6) 2008 Sport
7) 2008 Dodge Ram

D) Mitsubishi

1) 2008 Eclipse
2) 2008 Lancer

E) Plymouth

1) Neon

AMC

A) Eagle

1) 1977 Gremlin
2) 1984 Talon
3) 2008 Talon

B) Jeep

1) Jeep
2) YJ
3) Grand Cherokee
4) Compass
5) Sahara Wrangler

Other Notables; Avanti, DeLorean, Nash, Cord, Auburn, Tucker, Edsel, and Studebaker

Italy

Ferrari

1) 1969 GTO
2) 1983 308 GTS
3) 1983 512
4) 1985 Mondial
5) 1986 Testarossa
6) 2008 Enzo Ferrari
7) 2008 599 GTB

Lamborghini

1) 1971 Jalpa
2) 1983 Countach
3) 1997 Diablo
4) 2004 Countach
5) 2008 Gallardo
6) 2008 Reventon

Maserati *

1) 1985 Merak
2) 1985 Quattroporte
3) 2000 Quattroporte
4) 2000 Merak

Alfa Romeo

1) 1983 Spider
2) 1983 508

Other Notables; Bugatti and Fiat

Japan

Toyota *

1) 1983 Cressida
2) 1983 Supra
3) 1983 Celica
4) 1983 Camry
5) 1983 Corolla
6) 2008 Cressida
7) 2008 Supra
8) 2008 Celica
9) 2008 Camry
10) 2008 Corolla
11) 2008 Echo
12) 2008 Avalon
13) 2008 Tacoma
14) 2008 Prius

Honda

A) Honda

1) 1982 Accord
2) 1982 Prelude
3) 1985 Civic
4) 2008 Accord
5) 2008 Prelude
6) 2008 Civic
7) 2008 Integra
8) 2008 Odessey

B) McLaren

1) 2008 McLaren SLR
2) 2008 McLaren F1

C) Acura

1) 1991 Integra
2) 1993 NX
3) 1993 Legend
4) 2008 Integra
5) 2008 NX
6) 2008 Legend

D) Infiniti

1) 2000 J90
2) 2001 J93
3) 2005 l 35
4) 2008 J93
5) 2008 l 35
6) 2008 l 30
7) 2008 FX-45

Nissan (formerly Datsun)

1) 1977 240Z
2) 1979 260Z
3) 1979 200SX
4) 1982 280ZX
5) 1982 Maxima
6) 1985 300ZX
7) 1985 240SX
8) 1985 Stanza
9) 1985 Sentra
10) 1991 Altima
11) 2008 Maxima
12) 2008 300ZX
13) 2008 240SX
14) 2008 Stanza
15) 2008 Sentra
16) 2008 Ultima

Mazda

1) 1983 RX-7
2) 1983 626
3) 1983 323
4) 2000 Miata
5) 2004 Protégé
6) 2008 RX-8
7) 2008 3 Series
8) 2008 6 Series
9) 2008 Miata
10) 2008 Protégé

Other Notables; Lexus, Subaru, Saturn, and Suzuki

Germany

Porsche

1) 1963 914
2) 1965 911
3) 1981 Carrera
4) 1981 928
5) 1981 924
6) 1985 Targa
7) 1985 930 RUF
8) 1987 928S4
9) 1987 959
10) 2002 Boxter
11) 2008 Carrera GT
12) 2008 Targa
13) 2008 928
14) 2008 959

Volkswagon

1) 1940 Beetle
2) 1977 Beetle
3) 1979 Scirocco
4) 1979 Rabbit
5) 1979 Fox
6) 1982 Jetta
7) 1990 GTi
8) 1990 Passat
9) 2008 Corrado
10) 2008 Jetta
11) 2008 GTi
12) 2008 Passat
13) 2008 Beetle

Audi

1) 1982 4000
2) 1982 5000
3) 1985 Quattro
4) 1993 A4
5) 1993 A6
6) 2008 A4
7) 2008 A6
8) 2008 A8

B.M.W (Bavarian Motor Works) *

1) 1984 320i
2) 1984 528E
3) 1984 733i
4) 1984 CSi
5) 1984 M1
6) 2001 Z3
7) 2001 325i
8) 2001 850i
9) 2008 335i
10) 2008 330i
11) 2008 520i
12) 2008 Z4
13) 2008 855i
14) 2008 128i
15) 2008 Austin Mini Cooper
16) 2008 X-5

Other Notables; Duesenberg

* Signifies Government Vehicle

Sweden

1) Saab – 3000, 900, G9 *
2) Volvo - S70,S80,240, 740, 840 *

Canada

1) Bricklyn
2) Aurora

South Korea

1) Hyandai *

Russia

1) Lada *
2) ?

* - Signifies Government Vehicle


Modern Day Transportation


It was in 1985 when Citroen developed the first vehicle to self guide, through a man made infrastructure. Its’ design used a software base in the steering wheel allowing the driver to have a visual 360 degrees surrounding the automobile. France was pushing for infrastructure design using transponders on the roadways to self guide all moving vehicles, hypothetically eliminating all human error and accidents. It was rejected based on economics (as there weren’t enough investors worldwide). Today this technology is used in the name of G.P.S (Ground Positional Systems) tracking a vehicle.
In 2008 Solar powered vehicles using electric storage and conversion are on the market in Australia. In the America’s Hydrogen vehicles are on the market. The projection of self guiding vehicles is roughly three years away with Solar/Electric vehicles being the most sought worldwide. What this means in the name of economics is that the price of a Solar/Electric vehicle will be priced much lower than oil and gas powered vehicles as the supply of Solar/Electric will encompass roughly 30% of all vehicles by 2013. This influx of supply super-cedes the demand for these vehicles therefore pushing the price down. These projections and forecasts are a result of the damage done to the ozone layer. In order for oil and gas vehicles to remain as the main source of transportation the earth stands a 50%/50% chance of surviving another 50 years. Automobile Manufacturers ARE liable for the damage done.
Any Vehicle that exists today is able to be converted to either Hydrogen or Solar/Electric.

Monday, March 1, 2010

Winter Olympic Coverage - by Moses

As Tuesday, Feb 23rd rolled around it was Ashleigh McIvor's turn to shine as she brought home another Gold Medal, this time in Ski-Cross. Later that evening Team Canada's Men Team looked dominant against Germany, winning 8-2.
As Joannie Rochette took the ice in the Woman's Figure Skating competition, Canada watched mourning the death of the sudden passing of her Mother three days prior. Her Father Normand watched as we all did, almost praying for her success. She was remarkable, and there was narry a dry eye among most Canadian spectators as she sat in third place after the short program.
On Wednesday, in the evening, Team Canada played their best Game of the tournament defeating the powerhouse Team Russia in the Men's Quarterfinals winning 7-3.
It was with great pride as the Canadian Women's Hockey Team took home Gold defeating their arch-rivals the U.S.A on Thursday. This was the last Games of Canadian hero Haley Wickenheiser, who finished her Olympic Career with the most Goals and points of all-time. Later that evening, Joannie Rochette took to the ice and won herself a Bronze Medal in the name of her Mother. There was no measurement of how brave this young Canadian was during the adversity she faced over the course of these Games.
The following day was also a monumental day for Charles Hamelin, as he won double Gold in the 500 Metre Short track speed skating and later in the 5000 Metre Relay. An impressive turnout was also accomplished by the Women's Bobsled Team as Canada 1, led by Kaillie Humphries and Heather Moyse took home Gold. Canada 2, led by Heather Upperton and Shelly-Ann Brown won Silver. The Women's Curling team was very respectable winning Silver, losing in a heated battle with Team Sweden, as it came down to a final rock in the tenth end. That evening Men's Team Canada narrowly escaped with victory, defeating a strong Team Slovakia, the cindarella team of the tournament.
Most Canadians were now watching these Games thinking it couldn't much better for our Nation. They were wrong. On that Saturday Jasey Jay Anderson won Gold in Snowboarding. The Men's Curling Team, led by Kevin Martin, finished an undefeated tournament defeating Norway 6-3. We also took home Gold in the Men's Long Track Speed Skating Team Pursuit defeating the U.S.A. In the footnotes was a bronze medal, won by Canada 1 in Men's Bobsledding.
The Games climaxed on Sunday, Feb 28th, the last day of the Games. It was a classic Matchup of the Powerhouse Team Canada, and the underdog U.S.A. Luongo in his home building versus the U.S.A Netminder Ryan Miller, who was outstanding throughout this tournament. The Game saw Canada score two gols in the first half of the Game, with Jonathon Toews scoring the opening marker, and Corey Perry scoring the second goal for Canada. In the last half of the second period Team U.S.A started to chip away at the lead and Ryan Kesler put up a marker to bring the U.S.A to within one. It looked almost inevitable that Canada would take home Gold. With the last minute of the Game remaining, U.S.A coach, Ron Wilson took out Miller for an extra attacker. Then there was 30 seconds to go. With 20 seconds left, Zach Parise stuffed home the equalizer, almost deflating the entire Nation. We would see Overtime. It came down to Crosby on Miller from down low in the slot. Crosby went 5-hole, and Canada celebrated. At no other time, neigh the 1972 Summit Series and the 1987 Canada Cup, was there a more monumental Goal in Canadian History (dating back to 1901). This was Canada's 14th Gold Medal of the Games, the highest Gold Medal total in any Winter Olympics.
Canada shined.