"I CAN" 2004 Contest

Ability Online Members don't say "I think I Can",
They say "I know I CAN"

Once a year we hold a message writing contest for the members of Ability Online. We invite them to create their own "I CAN" statements, allowing them to think about the positive aspects of their lives. The entries are always amazing, coming straight from the heart, and inspiring all who read them.

Grand Prize winner: Aisling (13 years old) - Ontario

i can
i can think for myself
i can stand up for what i believe in
i can try my best in everything i do
i can follow my dreams
i can overcome my obstacles
i can make my own desicions
i can do anything i set my mind to
I CAN!!!

2nd place: Meghan (14 years old) - Ontario

Some people may think that since I'm in a wheelchair,
that I live a somewhat sheltered and boring life.
Most of the time, they look at me strangely and feel sorry for me,
saying things like, "aww, that's soo sad". 
But if they really got to know me,
then they would realize that I CAN do anything that I set my mind to. 
It's kinda funny because most of the time,
when I meet people who do not have a disability like me,
I talk to them about like what activities they do,
and some of them are less active than I am. 
I can swim, ski, horseback ride, sail, play hockey, ride a bike and so much more.
so sometimes, I feel sorry for them
b/c they are not experiencing so many things that are sooooo much fun. 
So my 2 messages to people are, first of all, don't judge a book by its cover,
and second of all, anybody can do anything they put their mind to. 
So in the end, all its about is saying in your head, "I CAN, and I WILL"!

3rd place: Nakita (15 years old) - British Columbia

I can do anything I put my mind to.
I can do it even with my friend, my disability
I can accomplish anything by myself or with some help.
I can do it just give me time.

4th Place: Gemma (16 years old) - Ontario

Like a phoenix,
I can rise from the scattered ashes of a shattered life and once again,
find something to sing about.

5th Place: Andrew (17 years old) - Ontario

Even though it took me 8 years now I can swim 200 lengths in 1hr and 43.5mins. Greatest accomplishment to date is getting 37sec for 50m freestyle. The paralympic standard 31sec for 50m freestyle and I am 37sec for 50m freestyle and it's driving me insane!!. My goal is to make it to beijing in 4 years. I CAN AND I WILL.