As for things with First Steps wellness Center, we became operational August 1 and are looking at  the grand opening being on  September 29. We are currently accepting applications from clients and are already looking to hire another full-time trainer.  Please go to www.fswcregina.com for more information.

As for the summer goes, I did not coach this year just because of the fact that we did not have enough players.  I am still currently working on my courses.  I only have 4 courses left. I am still currently running nhlfactory.com so if you need any sports memorabilia call me. Me and Jenna just had our 1 1/2 year anniversary………… time sure does fly but it has been awesome.

That is all for now

Bracebridge pulled in just over $10,000 and the Regina tournaments was shortly over $8,000—-wwwwwwoooowwwwwwwwwww

Once again thank you all so much for contributing towards my rehabilitation– the money that is raised will allow me to train at First Steps Wellness Center for almost 9 months- I cannot tell you much this means to me.

As for the progress with FSWC- we are currently in negotiations with the lease.  We are hoping to become operational before middle of July to August 1. We have increasing demand for the training that is offered.  I really cannot tell you how excited I am to finally make this dream a reality.  It is going to improve so many people’s lives- because of everybody’s support I will be able to attend this facility on a regular basis- although I have been injured for almost 5 years I finally believe that my recovery is going to start once FSWC is established. If anybody knows anybody that may be interested in contributing financially FSWC has developed a sponsorship package for these individuals that are interested.

I will keep you informed on the progress to come—- thank you all once again!

Everything has been extremely busy around here lately.  Ever since we got back from California, it seems like things are moving at a faster pace.  Things are really developing with FSWC. Owen -FSWC trainer- took part in a one month training program at Project Walk. He has been working with me ever since- and the training has paid off.

We are still currently trying to raise enough funds, and are patiently awaiting a proposal that was put through to the University to see if there is any space located for FSWC on campus.  We believe that this is a great fit for both parties.

As for my training- my main focus was on stabilizing the hip and abdominal strengthening.  I believe that these are the two areas that are very weak on myself just because of the fact that we do not have any equipment that will target these areas. Once again-it was too short of a visit in California.  But I was anxiously awaiting returning back home to try to get FSWC off the ground.  We are projecting by the end of June, we will have a facility to call home.

It is also time for the playoffs— which means my annual fundraiser in Bracebridge, Ontario and Regina, Sask golf tournaments are getting closer.  The Ontario tournaments is June the 19th and Regina is June the 5th.  Please contact me for more information 3065842677   these tournaments are tons of fun and they keep on getting better and better every year.

Lacrosse season is also approaching around the corner.  I will be coaching once again this year for South Sask team.  I will also be taking my level 2 certification- which is recommended now- to coach at the national level.

I am off to Edmonton this weekend to take part in a ambassador program for the Rich Hansen foundation.  It is two days of workshops and seminars.

Anyways that is all for now, I look forward to hearing from everybody very soon and seen them at one of the tournaments very shortly

My training is going well-Owen Carlson who is a really good friend from high school is the trainer that we are taking to get certified.  He has been working with me for the past few months.  I have been experiencing a lot of nerve pain, which has not been pleasant-but hopefully it is from increase in progress from the muscle stimulation….. I am also trying hard to try to finish my class that I am enrolled in.  It has been a struggle because it is so bloody boring…..

Anyways go to www.fswcregina.ca and check out the website–

We are having a fundraiser on October 30 at the TURRVY Center in Regina SK….. this is the big fundraiser that we are hoping to raise enough money to open up the doors and to have our trainers certified and trained from Project Walk.  If you are interested in more information please contact me directly at 306-584-2677

We also have a fundraiser in September that raised over $2000.  I really do appreciate everybody supports and trying to make this dream a reality too many people with a spinal cord injury.

We have also had discussions and meetings with different health organizations and most recently, a very motivating and productive meeting with the University of Regina-kinesiology department…….

As for myself, I am still plugging away with my training program.  I have seen some dramatic improvements in my core stability and my stabilization.  Shoulder muscle mass is also improving with a few different exercises that we have incorporated into the program.

Labor Day weekend I was coaching Lacrosse at nationals again this summer, unfortunately, it was a rather disappointing outing this year. I am still taking courses through correspondence and I am looking at going back to the University for the winter semester to try to take some more classes.  I have been finding lately, trying to stay motivated to try to do online courses is very difficult to do because of all the other activities and events that are taking place now.

Anyways, that is all for now…… make sure everybody goes to www.fswcregina.ca and look at the progress that is happening so far with trying to establish a Project walk provider facility in Regina.

The night before the tournament I got to hang out with a bunch of people from bishops-where I went to school.  It was very good to see each one of them.  It was too long of a time since our last meeting.  Needless to say he morning came fairly quickly and with a lot of rain.  From four o’clock in the morning until seven o’clock at night it rained and rained and rained.  It did not stop the golfers from golfing.  As there was a little bit over 60 golfers attending this year’s golf tournaments in Bracebridge.

It was absolutely fantastic to finally get to meet everybody that has been supporting myself and Mary for the past three years.  I would just like to give  Mary another huge thank you for putting this event on.  She has been pretty much a one-woman army with this event-raising close to $30,000 combined over the three years- and is looking for more volunteers to help with next year’s golf tournament.  So please if you are interested contact her ASAP.

Thank you to everybody that attended this year’s golf tournaments.  Everybody really made me feel at home and I really really really enjoyed meeting everybody and  everybody from school once again.. if it wasn’t for all of you guys coming out and supporting me-this tournament would not be possible and my road to recovery would be a lot slower…….. thank you to everybody and for all of the sponsors and prize donations that were given.

Thank you to all of those individuals that bid on a silent auction price………..

I guess I’d better mention that DREW POLLOCK got a hole-in-one on PAR 4………….. I still think he is lying but I guess he has four witnesses—– congratulations buddy……

The grand total was $9,300 that was raised this year—-thanks again a million to everybody.

This year’s golf tournament raised $8,300……………..wwwooowwwwww 

we have already begun planning for next year’s golf tournament– I always mention that we will try to make next years more enjoyable.  I know already, we are on the right path…

Bracebridge golf tournaments is this Saturday.  I am flying out to Ontario on Thursday.  This will be the first time in three years that I will be attending this golf tournament– I really cannot wait to meet everybody that has been supporting me. I will be staying in Toronto/Ontario until Monday. Also it is a very good coincidence that the AMP energy contest is also on this Saturday.  I will be around on Sunday to celebrate with the group when they win the hundred thousand dollars. Below is some information on the process that each of you individuals need to do this Saturday, June 20 at 830 Eastern time.  Click on the following link—-Bishops is what everyone needs to vote for….

http://www.facebook.com/AMPenergycanada?sid=1832888daa4dad4889a08863831ff52b&ref=search

Here are the important times that should be noted and not forgetten:

The performances, which will be streamed LIVE on facebook, will start at 7:30pm eastern time on Saturday, June 20th.

Immediately following the performances at 8:15pm the polls open and everyone can vote for our band via facebook. The voting period is only between 8:15 and 8:45pm-EASTERN TIME so don’t miss your chance!!

To watch and vote on the performances you will need to sign into facebook and go to the AMP Energy Canada page.  Just remember whoever wins the contest-will win $100,000.  This group of great gentleman are willing to donate $40,000 in my recovery fund if you help them succeed in winning this contest…….PPPPPPPPLLLLLLLEEEEEEEEAAAAAASSSSSSEEEEEEEEEE make this a reality.

You must have a face book account to vote-please take the five minutes to sign up—

On behalf of myself, the band members, we thank you all for your support. We will probably be sending out little reminders throughout the week and definitely the day of, so just bare with us!

Thanks again,

Bracebridge is tournaments is starting to fill up as well as some generous prizes have been donated…… I am looking forward to making that trip this year to meet everybody.  Take a look at the website for more details http://www.lesanko.muskokahighlands.com/ 

Other than getting everything ready for the golf tournament.  I managed to make my way to Edmonton to visit my brother and sister-in-law for Easter.  It was definitely good to go and see them again as well as my uncle Dave.  I managed to watch a Edmonton rush lacrosse team— I had a couple of friends on each team as well.  It was good to see a professional lacrosse once again, it was the first time since my accident.

I managed to get myself fairly ill this past Sunday I have been slowly recuperating.  My training really takes a hard blow when I get ill… these next couple of weeks I will have to try to get back on track.

The other course that I enrolled myself into isn’t as interesting as I thought it was– business finance course.  Oh well, only a few more classes last until I get my little piece of paper that will be hanging on the wall or sitting in my desk.

Summertime is quickly approaching, I will be coaching lacrosse once again in the city of Regina.  I have volunteered to become the vice president of Regina Field Lacrosse.  I will also be happy the role of offensive head coach of this years Saskatchewan under 19 provincial lacrosse team……..

Starting the project provider facility has been a struggle but there has been some leeway taking place lately.  Once the website is up-which will be very shortly-I will be happy to share this with you.

Make sure that everybody else for my friends in the ROCK BAND competition from Bishops University.  They are going to make a generous donation to my rehabilitation fund if they take the grand prize.  Here is more information-

 Amp Energy Canada has marketed a competition across all Universities in Canada with a final grand CASH prize. We entered the competition and formed the group ‘Chemical Toilet.’ We are four Bishop’s Lacrosse Players, Alex Inch (Kitchener Jr. A), Mark Kingston (Oakville Jr. B), Jackson Gair (Barrie OLA Major) and Billy Laidler (Burnaby Jr. A) and already won the preliminary competition on Bishops campus. We are NOW in the Quarter Finals with 5 other Universities. Should we collect the most votes they will move on to the semi finals against 9 other finalists. The top 4 vote collecting bands will be flown to Toronto to compete for $100 000 CASH. The winners are based 70% on online voting while 30% is based on performance. We ask all of the BISHOP’S and LACROSSE community to support us in our attempt to win the grand prize.
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=59331060977&ref=mf Everybody can vote once a day-it starts on May 6 or go to the Amp energy website 

Please contact Brian Ganong to register.
Phone: 531-9135
E-mail: brianganong@sasktel.net
Send Cheques to -
Brian Ganong
2144 Halifax St.
Regina,SK
S4P1T9

Money raised will go towards Chris’s recovery needs. Chris continues to work very hard in his exercise program and results are showen every year.

Contact Brian if you are interested in becoming a hole sponsor or would like to donate any prizes.

Now that the holidays are finally over, hopefully I can start to burn off a lot of the turkey that was consumed over the break.  I have slowly started to get back into a good routine with exercising.  I had my final examination for my small business management class on January 13…. I really do hope everything went well.  I believe I only have five classes left to get my degree—-finally

Things are progressing well with trying to open up a facility in Regina.  We are currently working on a website which hopefully will be up and running within this week.  We are trying to set a couple of fundraisers and are looking into different government grants that we may be accepted for. It is a large sum of money that we are looking for……..

I will definitely keep everyone posted on how things go,