Remembrance Day Canada and Veterans Day USA

Canada and USA have selfless people who fight to keep democracy. If we did not have these selfless troops we would not have democracy, human rights and have a hard time handling terrorism. It is important we remember why we have to always be thankful for the Armed Forces. Canada had people ready to go to Afghanistan to represent Canada in assisting their USA neighbors after the terrorist attacks. That follows the footsteps of Canadian soldiers who represented Canada to assist their allies in Europe to prevent Nazi ruled Germany from taking over Europe. Dutch people are thankful for Canada and USA troops in World War II. Today is not about politics but to be thankful for soldiers assistance to protect democracy and protecting Canada and the USA. I salute the Armed Forces for their selfless service.
As a Proud Canadian and Ally to the USA, thank you very much, Steve

Week 2 NFL predictions

Patriots, Falcons, Ravens, Bills, Bears, Packers, Texans, Colts, Chiefs, Eagles, Lions, Saints, Broncos, Raiders, Seahawks, Bengals

it is that time again for week one NFL picks:
Denver Broncos, New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts, Minnesota Vikings, Miami Dolphins, Chicago Bears, Tennessee Titans, Atlanta Falcons, Kansas City Chiefs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Seattle Seahawks, St. Louis Rams, San Francisco 49ers, New York Giants, Houston Texans, Washington Redskins

How I Live with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Hey everyone my name is Stephen Rysen and here is my story:

At the age of five I was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy in 1988. Today they are able to diagnose the patient at the age of two. Hopefully one day it will be done sooner to get the treatment going more rapidly. Before I was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy there were signs I was born with it. I could not walk properly, could not climb out of boxes if I sat in one, climbing stairs, losing my balance, could not drive a tricycle and getting tired easily. Between the age of 5-13 I needed equipment for my feet, for standing, for mobility and a lifting system. Ankle foot orthotics were used to keep my feet stretched to allow me to wear shoes. Leg braces were used for me to stand up and to allow me to walk when I could not walk anymore. It was also used for posture in my back. The steroids were used to gain some strength and prolong the weakening of muscles. I stopped walking at the age of nine and at the age of 11. I got power wheelchair a couple months before my 14th birthday. Ended up getting my feet and back operated on a few days before my 14th birthday. The scoliosis was repaired by the back surgery making it 100% straight and the feet being repaired allowed me to wear shoes in the future without wearing ankle foot orthotics and to go without ankle foot orthotics. The final years of being a teenager I ended up on heart medication to improve my heart and to prevent further deterioration. My heart deterioration was repaired by 50% with the heart medication. I ended up on nighttime ventilation at the age of 20 and daytime ventilation at the age of 28. During the day I do breath-stacking exercises with a manual pump done by my caregivers. I also do breath stacking by breathing in as much air as possible then exhale. Thanks to research I am one of the oldest without a tracheostomy at the age of 31 :).

It is tough having Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy but I have found positives dealing with this obstacle in my way. I am fortunate to have a supportive mother, sister, father, caregivers, friends and firefighters to fight muscular dystrophy. At the age of six, a year after being diagnosed with DMD and moving to the Vancouver area, I was fortunate enough to make friends who ended up being supportive of me. When I entered high school I found more supportive friends. This support has allowed me to go to college to earn a couple of certificates and a diploma.

After going to Muscular Dystrophy Firefighter Conferences I found out that the firefighters were a supportive brotherhood & sisterhood for their fellow firefighters and people with neuromuscular disorders. Even firefighters are good to assist people with Muscular Dystrophy who are dealing with a loss of a friend from muscular dystrophy. The firefighter I was thanking for helping out at the boot drive said we are here for you and we will continue fighting Muscular Dystrophy with you after I told him I was grieving over the loss of a friend who lost the battle with Muscular Dystrophy. It actually got me out of the depression from the grieving I was going through. Firefighters I have met are passionate about fundraising for Muscular Dystrophy like their profession. I have met loyal muscular dystrophy fundraising firefighters in person and on Twitter and Facebook. Their passion for assisting in the fight for Muscular Dystrophy has motivated me to fundraise since 2008.

I have been participating in the Safeway Walk for Muscular Dystrophy since 2008 because it gives me a purpose to life. My fundraising for Muscular Dystrophy Canada provides people living with Muscular Dystrophy: career programs, support groups, equipment costs and research to discover breakthroughs and a cure.

Thank you for reading my story, Stephen Rysen

Baseball Brawl Revisited

On Saturday March 9, 2013 at the World Baseball Classic, Mexico and Canada were told that runs scored and runs against ratio would be used in case of a tiebreaker to prevent tie-breaking games. The only disadvantage is that the teams would have to score as many points as possible to prevent them from being eliminated. Sports athletes do get frustrated when they get embarrassed and some teams might be scared to score more points to embarrass the other team. It even causes violence which eventually happened later in the game between Mexico and Canada. Baseball has a unwritten rule which teams abide by when the score is a blowout that they do not bunt the baseball for a base hit, steal a base or a sacrifice that does not involve sacrifice flies and fielders choice. Canada broke the rule but running up the score was not the cause. It was the way the Canadian baseball players tried to score more runs. Mexico should have tried to hit the batter once whether it almost hit the batter or hit the batter. Therefore the message was brought to the Canadians attention. Baseball does not need to change the tie-breaking format. One thing they should do, if two teams are tied for second place and both of them played against each other earlier in the round, the tiebreaker should be rewarded to the winning team. To prevent further incidents like the bench clearing brawl at the 2013 World Baseball Classic teams should educate each other about how to run up the score following the unwritten rules and how to punish the team for breaking the unwritten rules without causing a bench clearing brawl.

Stephen Rysen March 12, 2013

Chapter 2: The Hockey Yes-Man Continues (hockey editorial)

There is pattern in the chapter of the story which involves a President and General Manager getting fired, labour dispute and a loyal company man. Before the last NHL lockout the Vancouver Canucks fired Brian Burke and replaced him with his buddy Dave Nonis. Now the Toronto Maple Leafs did the same thing after this year's NHL lockout by firing Brian Burke. The Toronto Maple Leafs like the idea of a loyal company man like Dave Nonis calling the shots instead of a control freak like Brian Burke who does not listen to his bosses. The only good thing about Brian Burke was his involvement in the community and making sure hockey players give back to their community, that's why he was kept on as senior advisor. The Toronto Maple Leafs were forced to fire Brian Burke because it is a results-based business and for his lack of making off-season moves. I am speculating that Roberto Luongo will be the next starting goalie of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Vancouver will be getting some good players in return and should be ready for another Stanley Cup run. Toronto will be back in the playoffs this year. The Toronto Maple Leafs will be better with Dave Nonis who should be given credit for the Canucks success and for keeping Brian Burke's legacy together instead of getting rid of players he brought to the Vancouver Canucks.