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Source: Ottawa Sun
Date: June 30, 2011
Thursday night at Rideau Hall, I shared a special moment with two good friends and Para Athletics teammates, Noella Klawitter and Cody Boast.
It isn't every day that you get to be in the same room as a prince and our time with the Royals was truly memorable. Prince William was easygoing, funny and great to be around as we chatted for a minute or two about track.
There was a breakdancer who shared our table and the prince joked that he was no good at that.
A little later, Kate asked the breakdancer if he might be able to offer her husband lessons.
Governor General David Johnson and his wife, Heritage Minister James Moore, and Prime Minister Harper and his wife came around one by one and spent several moments at each table getting to know each of us. We were also in the company of some amazing young people.
One person we met heads an organization which runs hip hop culture workshops in communities across Canada.
These workshops promote social inclusion, address systemic challenges such as street crime and substance abuse, and bring people together.
The chance to meet Prince William and Kate tonight was a celebration of the power of youth.
I feel very privileged to have been in Royal company and to have been a part of a celebration of the human potential in our young people.
Growing up in Northern Ireland, there were mixed feelings about our Royal patronage.
When my family immigrated to Canada in 1991, I came to view the Royals — like many others in my generation of young Canadians — as distant, remote and removed. This year however, I think the limelight and positive attention on Prince William and Kate and their wedding has done a lot to change this.
The chance to meet the Duke and Dutchess of Cambridge is a very special opportunity. As young athletes, the story of William and Kate is one which resonates with our generation.
Having been married to my wife Colleen for five years, the ups and downs which ultimately made William and Kate stronger are part of the trajectory of real life which we can relate to.
What better role models could we have in aspiring to attain the pinnacle of success in our chosen sport than with this inspiring Royal couple — ordinary yet extraordinary people.
Jason Dunkerley, 33, was one of three Ottawa athletes invited to a youth barbecue with Prince William and Kate at Rideau Hall Thursday night. He works for the Active Living Alliance for Canadians with disabilities and has won three medals at the Paralympics in the 1,500 metres.
