| Amy Burk is a Medical Laboratory Technician but may be more known in your household as a 5x Paralympian and Captain with the Canadian Women’s Goalball Team. Amy, her husband Tyler and their two boys Lucas and Ryan have all registered for this year’s 2025 Canadian National Blind Hockey Tournament March 21 – 23! Here is their story:
“I was born with albinism, as well as my husband Tyler, and because it’s a recessive gene, naturally both our boys were born with the condition. It’s a visual impairment right from birth and so for me personally, it’s all I’ve ever known. Growing up, I tried to be as active as I could in sports, although I came from a single family home. So between me and my two brothers, it was very hard to actually participate in a lot of sport just because there was only that one income coming in. When I went to Junior High, and it became clear that sports were going to become harder as I got older just because of the speed of things. I was only 13 when I came across Goalball but I didn’t want to pursue it because I was already so different. It was hard for me growing up in terms of bullying, because I was the different kid. I was the kid that couldn’t see. I had the white hair, no pigment and kind of purpley red eyes. So you can just imagine the amount of comments I’d get from kids. But I did try it a year after learning about it and at 14 years old I was at my first National championships where I won silver! It was on from there. I’m definitely thankful I gave Goalball a chance because it has shaped my whole life. Now to fast forward to today, I find myself as team Captain of the Women’s Goalball Team, five-time Paralympian and at our last world championships, we finished fourth and there I was awarded the tournament MVP, which is amazing. So I feel like I’m at the top of my game in that sport but when it comes to hockey, this is a different story! It is so hard going from being one of the best athletes in my game to then trying to figure out how to stop with my right foot. It’s actually quite funny! I’ve known about Blind Hockey for years, from one of the first Courage Canada rollerblades. My husband and I went out a few times in the Ottawa and Montreal area but once we started a family we didn’t pursue it much more. Now to fast forward again, we’ve been bringing our two kids to the Ottawa 67’s Children and Youth Blind Hockey Program. Now that there’s an Ottawa program for adults – Tyler and I do our best to make it every week! There’s a lot of training in our household. I have to be very careful about what I sign up for outside of Goalball, so I’m happy this year’s Tournament’s timing worked out because I can’t put myself at risk during a Paralympic year. The boys have started their countdown to Nationals and we couldn’t be more excited. Some of us are nervous at the same time, but It’s important that we show our kids that when we’re put in these uncomfortable situations, we can also learn from them. We’re just looking for a fun weekend where we can learn and enhance our skills. I just ultimately want to get better and contribute to the Blind Hockey programs because we know that to get something off the ground and running requires a lot of support from athletes, coaches, volunteers. I want to see Blind Hockey get to the next level and help reach even more children, youth and adults with visual impairments. This is something I didn’t have access to as a kid so the more that I can help support it, help push it and even contribute to it, it’s just a great community to be a part of.” To catch Amy and her family in action, please check out our Nationals page! |
