Budden skis her way to Games

There isn't a sport 13-year-old Pamela Budden wouldn't try.

Pamela, a Grade 8 student at St. Paul's Intermediate in Gander, has cerebral palsy. However, the young Paralympian doesn't let the condition get in her way of competing in sports.

So, while Pamela and her family went to spend the day on the Alpine Nordic Ski Club trails in Gander on Feb. 7, an opportunity presented itself that was simply too promising to pass up.

"We didn't think anything like this would come from her skiing," said Pamela's mother, Gertie, who had Pamela out for a day of sit skiing. "When we were there on Sunday (Feb. 7), someone came and asked me if she wanted to try and qualify for the (2010 Newfoundland and Labrador Winter) Games. We were just there to get her outdoors and to get her some practice. It was sort of like, ok, what just happened?"

You see, the club hosted the qualifying races for central's ski team on Feb. 7, and Pamela qualified as a Paralympian. According to the club's website, Budden skied a time of 1:15. Budden, who crossed the finish line with a hoard of skiers cheering her on from the ski lodge's patio, wants to shave about 18 seconds from that time when she competes at the Games.

"It was such a good feeling hearing that crowd," said Pamela. "I can't remember exactly what I was thinking, I just know it felt good hearing that crowd."

When Margaret Tibbo (Mugs), the recreational therapist at the Janeway Children's Hospital in St. John's, mentioned ski sitting might be a good way for Budden to keep active, the young skier never thought she would ever compete at an event like the Newfoundland and Labrador Winter Games.

"We tried to get her into sports so she can be more active. She does have a disability and she's limited as to what she can do, and the recreational therapist at the Janeway asked us if she would be interested in sit skiing," said Ms. Budden. "Mugs talked it over with Pamela and she was willing to try it. Mugs brought the sled out and took Pamela out for a day. Pamela was quite intrigued by it."

From that point on its been the perfect fit for Pamela. What started as a way to keep fit has now turned into a lifestyle for the young Paralympian, who practices three times a week.

Pamela is hoping that a good showing at the Winter Games will lead to another exciting venture in Halifax next year.

"Mugs said if she does well at the Games in Grand Falls-Windsor, then we're going to see if she can go to Halifax for the 2011 Canada

Winter Games as a Paralympian," said Ms. Budden. "When she heard the word Halifax...she was eager to go."

Why would the idea of going to Halifax excite Pamela? All you have to do is talk about the NHL and the answer becomes quite clear.

"Cole Harbour," she said. "Sidney Crosby is from Cole Harbour. He could just skip a week from playing hockey to come see me ski. Maybe I can leave him a message.

"He's just a good Canadian," said Budden of Crosby. "He doesn't get into too many fights and he's such a good role model."

When she isn't skiing, or playing floor hockey at St. Paul's Intermediate, there's a very strong possibility that Pamela is taking in a Montreal Canadiens or Pittsburgh Penguins hockey game.

In fact, she recently got back from a trip to Montreal, where she got to tour the home of the Montreal Canadiens - the Bell Centre.

"It was pretty good. I got to see the (Canadiens') locker room, and I got to touch Carey Price's hockey gear," she said.

After learning The Beacon's sports editor was a Toronto Maple Leafs fan, Pamela, being a Habs fan, felt the need to get her digs in.

"The last time the Toronto Maple Leafs won the Stanley Cup was when dinosaurs walked the Earth."

All Maple Leaf jokes aside, the Buddens are looking forward to the 2010 Games, and the first thing Gertie will stuff in her suitcase is a box of Kleenex.

"For someone that was supposed to be born a..." started Ms. Budden.

"Human vegetable," chimed in Pamela.

"To see her cross the finish line on March 21 and 22, oh yeah, bring your tissues," said Ms. Budden.

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