BRONZE FOR PRIDE

Do you know what sucks more then losing a hockey game? Losing in the last minute and a half to a team that you expected to beat. Do you know what makes it worth it? Playing in front of 7,000 proud Canadians who are there to support and cheer you on. When I started playing in Vancouver, I expected a good crowd and great support from back home. I never expected to play to sold-out bleachers and to wake up every morning to dozens of emails from people I don't know. The biggest test of a fan’s support is to cheer on a team that did not meet his or her expectations. I have been able to learn a few things at these games; first, losing sucks. Second, there is pride in competing for bronze. Third, Canada has the best hockey fans ever!

It hurts to lose; no one can dispute this. I came here to compete my hardest knowing that my hardest is enough for gold. I think my team has given a gold-medal performance, but the fact remains we are still preparing to battle for a bronze medal. I'm going to fight as hard as I can in any game no matter the expected result. A bronze medal means things didn't go the way we wanted them to but we are still able to come together as a team to win. It means a lot to me to look at my 14 teammates, my friends and my family and tell them I fought with every ounce of Canadian hockey player I had. The reason I'm able to get back up like this is because of the amazing support from the stands, from the media and the people across the country. After losing to Japan I thought it was all over, I thought no one cared anymore, but I was wrong. The crowd cheered just as loud, I got just as much support from family and from the people I see on the streets.  For this I'd like to say thank you.

Graeme Murray #29

OPENING CEREMONIES!

To start I'd like to thank all the people that have sent me personal messages, emails, phone calls and care packages. Every morning I wake up and read new messages from people I know and people I don't, all giving me words of encouragement. It is impossible to describe how spirit-lifting it is. Also, I have to welcome all of my family and friends to Vancouver, the atmosphere and weather could not be better.

The Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Games officially opened last night with a spectacular and crowd-pleasing Opening Ceremony themed "One Uniting Many." B.C. Place was filled with the thunderous roar of a packed house for every country that had the honour to parade across stage. As I entered the stadium I remember trying to pick out faces from the crowd, not realizing how many people were there. I took a second to check where I was, smiled and waved and rolled myself across the stage letting the energy of Canada pick me up and carry me from start to finish. It is a blur to me now and the only way to describe it is it was ... HUGE. The Vancouver 2010 Opening Ceremony was by far the biggest and most amazing thing I've ever been involved with.

There is possibly one thing that could surpass my experience last night ... I'll let you try to guess what it will be. It starts today and ends in a week.

#29 Graeme Murray