Canadian Wheelchair Curling Champion Proves Age No Barrier to Excellence
At 60 years of age, Collinda Joseph exemplifies the enduring spirit of competitive athletics. The two-time Paralympian and Team Canada wheelchair curling lead demonstrates that dedication and skill transcend age boundaries in pursuit of sporting excellence.
Joseph's athletic journey began in 2006 when she transitioned from wheelchair basketball to curling, seeking a sport that would preserve her shoulders while maintaining competitive intensity. Her timing proved fortuitous, coinciding with wheelchair curling's inaugural inclusion in the Paralympic programme, where Canada secured the first Olympic gold medal.
"It was quite something to watch and think, 'Oh! I want that someday!'" Joseph reflected on witnessing that historic victory. "I knew that the Paralympic Games was golden."
The Stittsville, Ontario native serves as lead for Canada's five-person mixed wheelchair curling team, alongside Gilbert Dash, Ina Forrest, Jon Thurston, and Mark Ideson. This experienced squad carries the weight of Canada's remarkable Paralympic curling legacy, having medalled at every Winter Paralympics since the sport's introduction.
Experience and Wisdom on Ice
Joseph particularly values her partnership with teammate Ina Forrest, 63, who enters her fifth Paralympic Games. Together, they represent the most experienced members of Canada's Paralympic delegation, bringing four decades of combined expertise to the ice.
"How much can you learn from her? I watch her, and I try to soak up as much as I can," Joseph said of Forrest's influence on the team's strategic approach.
Having used a wheelchair for over 40 years following a train accident in France at age 18, Joseph brings invaluable life experience to her sporting pursuits. This perspective enhances her ability to navigate competitive pressures and support younger teammates effectively.
Technical Excellence and Team Dynamics
Joseph appreciates wheelchair curling's unique blend of individual responsibility and collective strategy. As lead, her opening shots establish the foundation for each end, requiring precise execution that influences the entire team's performance.
"We learn from every shot," she explained. "What I learned about how I threw the shot and what the result was, I could then speed up the line to my teammates, and they take that information and use it for their shot."
The team will compete using specially designed equipment featuring Indigenous artwork by Anishnaabe/Cree artist Shelby Gagnon, the same designer who created Team Canada's Olympic kits. These custom drawing stick wraps represent the attention to detail that characterises Canadian Paralympic preparation.
Family Support and Future Ambitions
Unlike the COVID-restricted 2022 Beijing Paralympics, the Milano-Cortina Games will welcome family and friends. Joseph anticipates the support of nine family members and friends, contributing to a 40-person Canadian cheering section.
The veteran competitor already envisions competing in future Paralympic cycles, directly challenging conventional notions about age limitations in elite sport. Canada's Paralympic team age range spans from 18 to 63, demonstrating the inclusive nature of Paralympic competition.
With gold medal aspirations firmly established, Joseph and her teammates prepare to uphold Canada's distinguished wheelchair curling tradition while proving that competitive excellence knows no age boundaries.