(click to enlarge)
Head Shots
Guest post by the bloggohusband.
Darth Goalie returned to the ice last week (though without her specially-painted helmet), playing in a ?pre-season? game in the Evanston Tigers? Spring Mixer. The Mixer’s teams are composed of players of all skill levels, including women who have never skated before. Barb plays for the Kelly Green team, which was the home team and wearing white jerseys.
As the bloggocentrics know, Barb?s been dealing with a number of health issues lately, and hasn?t been able to play rat hockey, sub for other goalies, or work out, really since February. Additionally, she sent her regular goalie mask to a local artist for painting (to look like Darth Vader?s helmet, of course).
And so, Darth Goalie took the ice not knowing what to expect: playing with new teammates, an old helmet (her first — cheap — goalie mask from when she started in net at Ohio State), and no recent practice to rely on for confidence.
In spite of all this, she did pretty well. Her team, who should have a name and jerseys this week, lost 6 – 5, but she made a number of nice saves — including the spectacular ?header? captured by yours truly above, a remarkable display of Barb’s burgeoning Hasek-style saves! Her play was especially strong, considering that her old helmet greatly interfered with her performance, cutting into her vision because of its ill fit and small eye opening.
The Mixer goes on for the next ten weeks, with Barb (and the other goalies) each supporting two different teams. Due to absences, Barb?s actually playing two games (back to back) this Friday for both Kelly Green and her other team, tentatively called the Pink Panthers — this time with her regular (though still unpainted) helmet, which we rescued from the artist on Saturday. We?ll post results and pictures on the games next week.
To see all of the game pics, which are of much better quality than last season’s Tigers Orange photos, go to Kelly Green, 2007. The photoset title will be changed to reflect the team’s name once it’s decided upon.
NOTE: SOG stands for Shots on Goal.
I’m so impressed! It’s great that you have found a passion that is physical, challanging, and fun, that you are able to pursue in spite of physical and mental health issues. Whenever I watch marathons on TV, and they have the human interest stories of people running with one leg, or MS, or some other disabling condition, I’m always like, that’s easy. Show my someone who is able to train for a marathon with clinical major depression or who is psychotic manic or hallucinating and schizophrenic. That I’d give a medal for!
I can’t wait to see what your helmet looks like when it’s painted. I’m happy you’re back in the swing of things.
Emilija, welcome to the bloggo! And thank you so much for the recognition. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it. You’re right — few people recognize those with mood and mental health disorders who manage to overcome these and accomplish things, particularly in sports. And this type of illness is much harder to deal with than a physical illness because one’s state of mind could change at any moment. That’s just part of the challenge. So again, thanks.
jane, I can’t wait, either, but it won’t be until sometime this summer. Unfortunately, I’m really not back in the swing of things, not totally. But…I’m due for my next maintenance ECT on Monday, so hopefully that’ll help.
Hey you got out there and did it, that’s what counts! And I’m glad you’re feeling well enough to do so. Congrats! (y)
Cheesemeister, yes, you’re right. I’m feeling physically well, at any rate. Thanks.