When physiotherapist Judith Proulx-Snedden first established her practice in Orléans in 1997 she had a dream to one day be part of Team Canada at the Olympics. That dream came true in 2006 when the owner of Physio Sports Plus on Place d’Orléans Drive was selected to be part of the Canadian medical team at the Winter Olympics in Turino.
She was chosen again to be one of the physiotherapists at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. But her ultimate dream was to take part in the Summer Olympics.
The first step was to be selected as one of the physiotherapists who accompanied Team Canada to the Pan Am Games in Santiago, Chile last November.
In order to have a chance at a spot on the Canadian team in Paris, you had to be available to work at both events.
After working at the Pan Games, Proulx-Snedden received a call from the Chief Therapist of the Olympic Team informing her that she had been selected to go to Paris.
“I was so excited. I already did two Winter Olympics, but the Summer Olympics are even more exciting. This was like winning a gold medal for me,” Proulx-Snedden said in a recent interview with the Orléans Star.
Proulx-Snedden left for Paris on July 16 to help set things up and to provide support for the athletes who were already there.
Although they weren’t able to stay in the Athletes’ Village, the physiotherapists and the rest of the Canadian medical team were able to stay in a university dorm just 500 metres away. They were also able to visit the village and eat in the athlete cafeteria.
During the Games, each physiotherapist was alloted their different sports and the athletes they would be providing physio-therapy for. Proulx-Snedden was given skateboarding, canoe slalom, kayak cross and triathlon.
When she wasn’t performing her official duties as a physiotherapist, Proulx-Snedden was able to see some of the other sports.
She was in the Olympic Stadium when the men’s 4x100 team won the gold medal.
“I was right at the spot when (André) de Grasse took the baton from (Brandon) Rodney. I saw they were ahead and I started jumping and screaming my head off,” says Proulx-Snedden.
She was also at the beach volleyball venue when Brandie Wilkerson and Melissa Humana-Paredes lost to Brazil in an exciting three-set final.
“It was so amazing to be there with the Eiffel Tower lit up in the background and the crowd going crazy. It was an experience I will never forget,” says Proulx-Snedden.
TRIVIA NIGHT from 7:30 p.m. every Tuesday night at the Royal Oak Pub Orléans. Free to play. Prizes for the winning team! The Royal Oak Pub is located at 1981 St. Joseph Blvd. near Jeanne d'Arc. For more info visit 
OYSTER NIGHT every Wednesday from 6-9 pm at the Orléans Brewing Co. Two types of oysters served with lemon, Tobasco, horseradish, salt and mignonette. The Orléans Brewing Co. is located at 4380 Innes Rd., next to McDonalds.
OPEN MIC NIGHT at the Stray Dog Brewing Company, 501 Lacolle Way. Registration begins at 7 p.m. Music at 8 p.m. with your host Matthew Palmer.
SDBC TAPROOM CONCERT SERIES presents Redial live and in concert from 7-9 p.m. at the Stray Dog Brewing Company, 501 Lacolle Way in the Taylor Creek Business Park. Advance tickets $10 available at 
ANNUAL REMEMBRANCE DAY CEREMONY 11 a.m. at the Orléans Cenotaph beside the Orléans Legion Branch 632, 800 Taylor Creek Drive. Sandwiches and desserts following the ceremony inside the Legion.
THE ROTARY CLUB OF ORLEANS is hosting a Holiday Dinner at the St. Elias Banquet Centre, 750 Ridgewood Ave. Tickets: $75/person. 4 course dinner (choice of turkey, salmon or vegetarien), dessert and punch. Contact Mashooda Sayed at mashoodasyed@yahoo.ca or call 613-255-0872.
SDBC TAPROOM CONCERT SERIES presents East Coast Experience live and in concert from 7 p.m. at the Stray Dog Brewing Company, 501 Lacolle Way in the Taylor Creek Business Park. Advance tickets $25 available at 
