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Hi Everyone.
My name is Rachel Dean. I am 29 years old, have Muscular Dystrophy, and have used a power wheelchair since I was 13.
Never did I imagine that I would become a wheelchair athlete, let alone, an athlete that has been so successful.
I am blessed to have found something that I am truly passionate about and that is Powerhockey. Powerhockey is similar to hockey except that the participants use power wheelchairs, we don’t play on ice, and we use a ball instead of a puck.
In 2010, I moved from Oakville to attend Carleton University for my undergrad. In my wheelchair accessible residence I met others who played in the Ottawa powerhockey league. One day they took me to one of their practices and I was hooked!
In my first year playing in the league I was chosen to represent the city of Ottawa in the National Championships. For the next three years, I was selected for Ottawa’s tournament team and we travelled throughout Canada and the U.S.A. to compete. I used this period to develop my skills and learn as much as possible from my teammates.
In 2015, I moved backed to the GTA to complete my Master of Education degree at the University of Toronto. I joined the Toronto Toros, formally the Toronto Rock, and this is where I really blossomed as a player and felt the most confident in myself. I began playing weekly against those at such a high calibre that it really pushed me to up my game.
Between 2015 and 2019 I was chosen to be a member of the Toronto tournament team and won several awards including Best Defensive Player, Best Offensive Defense Player, and Most Assists in the League. Our team won gold in the Canadian championships in 2015 and 2017. We won bronze in the North American championships in 2016 and 2018 and silver in 2019.
Until now, the highlight of my powerhockey career was being chosen for Team Canada in 2019. We travelled to Australia for an international tournament and placed third. It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life, not only to play, but also to get to travel to such a distant and beautiful place with my second family, my powerhockey family.
Due to the pandemic, there have been no tournaments in 2020 or 2021, which has been hard on myself and my teammates, but we recently got great news. In August 2022, Switzerland is hosting the next international tournament! I have been selected to represent Team Canada and I couldn’t be more thankful or excited for this opportunity.
This trip will be very expensive because not only do I have to pay for myself (flights, hotel rooms, food, transportation, tournament fee, etc.) but my costs will be doubled, as I need a personal care attendant to accompany me. I am unable to get in and out of bed, shower, dress, prepare food, etc. without assistance.
It would mean the WORLD to me, if you are able, to donate to my personal fundraiser so that I can attend this tournament. Absolutely any amount would be very appreciated.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story!
*In the event, that we are unable to travel due to Covid, all donations will be returned.
My name is Rachel Dean. I am 29 years old, have Muscular Dystrophy, and have used a power wheelchair since I was 13.
Never did I imagine that I would become a wheelchair athlete, let alone, an athlete that has been so successful.
I am blessed to have found something that I am truly passionate about and that is Powerhockey. Powerhockey is similar to hockey except that the participants use power wheelchairs, we don’t play on ice, and we use a ball instead of a puck.
In 2010, I moved from Oakville to attend Carleton University for my undergrad. In my wheelchair accessible residence I met others who played in the Ottawa powerhockey league. One day they took me to one of their practices and I was hooked!
In my first year playing in the league I was chosen to represent the city of Ottawa in the National Championships. For the next three years, I was selected for Ottawa’s tournament team and we travelled throughout Canada and the U.S.A. to compete. I used this period to develop my skills and learn as much as possible from my teammates.
In 2015, I moved backed to the GTA to complete my Master of Education degree at the University of Toronto. I joined the Toronto Toros, formally the Toronto Rock, and this is where I really blossomed as a player and felt the most confident in myself. I began playing weekly against those at such a high calibre that it really pushed me to up my game.
Between 2015 and 2019 I was chosen to be a member of the Toronto tournament team and won several awards including Best Defensive Player, Best Offensive Defense Player, and Most Assists in the League. Our team won gold in the Canadian championships in 2015 and 2017. We won bronze in the North American championships in 2016 and 2018 and silver in 2019.
Until now, the highlight of my powerhockey career was being chosen for Team Canada in 2019. We travelled to Australia for an international tournament and placed third. It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life, not only to play, but also to get to travel to such a distant and beautiful place with my second family, my powerhockey family.
Due to the pandemic, there have been no tournaments in 2020 or 2021, which has been hard on myself and my teammates, but we recently got great news. In August 2022, Switzerland is hosting the next international tournament! I have been selected to represent Team Canada and I couldn’t be more thankful or excited for this opportunity.
This trip will be very expensive because not only do I have to pay for myself (flights, hotel rooms, food, transportation, tournament fee, etc.) but my costs will be doubled, as I need a personal care attendant to accompany me. I am unable to get in and out of bed, shower, dress, prepare food, etc. without assistance.
It would mean the WORLD to me, if you are able, to donate to my personal fundraiser so that I can attend this tournament. Absolutely any amount would be very appreciated.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story!
*In the event, that we are unable to travel due to Covid, all donations will be returned.
