Welcome to Kelli & Mieko’s blog……see Beijing through our eyes.
This blog was created for all the friends, family and supporters of USA wheelchair basketball. The USA Men’s wheelchair basketball team is on a mission……win gold in Beijing! We have made this website with the hope that it will help all of our loved ones back home stay updated on all of the excitement that is going on in Beijing. Take a look around, there are many links to the right and be sure to check out our different photos.
As of August 31, 2008, the USA team left the United States. They guys are in Beijing and setting up in the Olympic VIllage. Due to blogging restrictions from the Paralympic Committee, TEAM USA cannot post any information about any games, international teams, or scores. Please be aware that we have no control over this, and unfortunately, because of these rules, the guys will not be posting daily on the blog. Mieko and I will still be posting scores when we get back to the hotel from the games.
Please post your comments and words of encouragement to the USA team. They will have access to the computer and be able to see everything you write. It is a long journey and we know they appreciate all your love, support and motivation. GO USA!!!! BRING HOME THE GOLD!!!!
70 responses so far ↓
Chase McElree // August 12, 2008 at 11:34 pm |
GO USA….GET THAT GOLD!!!!!!
Uncle Tom Danielski // August 13, 2008 at 12:20 am |
Hi Kelly,
Good Luck!!! Have A GREAT Time!!!
Love,
Uncle Tom
Ashley // August 13, 2008 at 12:41 am |
Good luck guys!!!
Helen // August 13, 2008 at 1:51 am |
What an experience! Best of luck! Thank you for sharing this site Mieko and Kelli! you are in my thoughts and have all my support! <3
Katie Kelsch // August 13, 2008 at 4:05 am |
Hi Mieko! I am so excited that they will have a chance to dominate, and that we get to read all about it! Have so much fun, I look forward to seeing the updates,
Katie
Laryssa Wochok // August 13, 2008 at 4:14 pm |
Hi Kelly and Mieko! I am so happy you two posted this blog. There are so many of rooting for Joe and the entire team. We can’t wait to follow along and cheer for USA. Have fun!
Laryssa
Alex Ledbetter (Belly // August 13, 2008 at 4:18 pm |
Do Work Boys!!! Bring home the Gold
Jackie Rodriguez // August 13, 2008 at 3:33 pm |
Have a blessed trip And bring home the GOLD!
Susan Ongirski // August 13, 2008 at 4:57 pm |
USA Wheelchair basketball,
a team to have and hold,
the loudest cheers will be from us,
as you’re going for the gold!
GOOD LUCK and create alot of memories in Beijing!!
Misa // August 15, 2008 at 2:42 am |
Miex and Kelli I won’t lie I’m a little worried about seeing Beijing through your eyes…but great job this all looks great.
Good luck guys bring home the gold!!!!!!
Vincen // August 15, 2008 at 2:14 pm |
I cant wait to see these guys play. I am only 8 months into my injury as a T5 para and about to start playing basketball. This is gonna be awesome to watch the USA Team take Gold. Good Luck and enjoy the trip. I will be watching you as much as I can.
Vincen
Kim, Dave, Ryan, & Michael // August 15, 2008 at 2:41 pm |
Hi Mieko & Kelli,
Thank you for doing this website. The pics and everything are great. We are so excited for Joe and his team to have this opportunity. We will be cheering & praying for the team and you in Beijing. Look fw to checking in on your site!
Kim, Dave, Ryan, & Michael
Parker Jones // August 15, 2008 at 6:40 pm |
GO USA! GO JOE! GET THAT GOLD!
Lisa Rayer // August 15, 2008 at 10:51 pm |
Good luck to Eric, Joe and the rest of the Olympic team-bring home the gold ! Thanks to Kel and Mieko for keeping us in the loop. We are excited for you all!!
Kris (papa baker) Baker // August 18, 2008 at 9:18 am |
Go Usa, take them to the hoop. Good Luck and God Bless.
Mary Downs // August 21, 2008 at 5:00 pm |
Go Team USA!!! Jeremy, I know I speak from all of the Washington Elementary family in wishing you and your team the best of luck in Beijing. And congrats on your new coaching job at UWW. Way to Go!!!
Lisa Daye-aka Baulers Mom // August 25, 2008 at 2:15 pm |
You guys are AWESOME!!! The best to all of you and have fun bringing home the gold!! GO USA!!
Jeremy "Opie" Lade // August 26, 2008 at 7:59 am |
Thanks from the Washington Elementary crew. It is great to know we have support from our community and we are very excited to go. Only a couple of days until we leave which means I better get some laundry done.
Patty Cisneros // August 26, 2008 at 10:06 am |
Are you two giving updates on the women’s team?
casady // August 27, 2008 at 1:35 pm |
good luck love you
casady // August 27, 2008 at 1:36 pm |
good luck love you guys and see you later dad
casady // August 27, 2008 at 1:39 pm |
love you dad
Sharon and Gerry // August 27, 2008 at 11:21 pm |
Great site, Mieko and Kelli. Good luck to all the guys; we’re all proud of you. Go get em, Joe. Every board and every loose ball is yours!
Go USA! Go for the Gold!
Janey & Elizabeth from Oconto, WI // August 30, 2008 at 6:49 am |
What an amazing journey you’re about to begin! Even though we cannot be there with you physically we are there with you in our hearts & spirit. Jeremy, we are all so proud of you and the many, many accomplishments you’ve made. We wish you all a safe & successful trip to Beijing. Just focus & take care of business. When it’s all said & done, no matter what the outcome, you are ALL winners in our eyes!! Go have the time of your lives!!
With much love & admiration from Oconto, Wisconsin!!!! GO TEAM USA!!!
justin brantmeier // August 30, 2008 at 12:30 pm |
Mr. Lade
I hope you do good in the paralympics. I will be watching you on t.v. again I hope you do good. have fun in China please tell me about China when you get back .See you!
zach brantmeier // August 30, 2008 at 12:37 pm |
Mr.Lade,
I hope you have fun in china.we will watch you on t.v.. I can`t wait untill your back. reese also wants to know if you have any candy.bye!
Janet Barber // August 31, 2008 at 8:42 pm |
Eric I am so proud of You….
You are already a winner! I’ll be cheering from California…..
Troy Moldenhauer // August 31, 2008 at 10:52 pm |
Hey Eric, Joe, Mieko, Tracy, Jacob, Matt, Opie, Matt (and all those I have not yet met). Thank you for representing the USA … My family and I can’t wait to watch the games! Play well! God Bless!
Troy Moldenhauer (from UW-Whitewater)
Brett Chynoweth // September 2, 2008 at 11:44 am |
Go getem’ Bro! Were very proud of you and the entire TEAM USA! “Leave it all on the court”!
Grampa KK & Grandma Judds from Oconto, WI // September 4, 2008 at 8:11 am |
Good luck Jeremy (Opie) and all the USA Team, bring home the Gold, we are so very proud of you. have fun
Kim, Dave, Ryan, & Michael // September 4, 2008 at 10:42 am |
Hello Joe, Mieko, Jana, & everyone! We want to let you know you are in our prayers and we are so excited for you all to have this experience. We will be cheering for TEAM USA all the way!! Can’t wait to check in & see the blogs and what the TEAM is doing! GO TEAM USA~~WE ARE PROUD OF YOU ALL! Oh yeah, don’t forget to have fun too. Love ya~
Stewart Griffin // September 4, 2008 at 6:25 pm |
Good Luck Opie!!! Leave China with a happy ending… Bring home the Gold!!! and few egg rolls if you have room…
Pat, Donna, Sara & Zach Bradley // September 4, 2008 at 8:23 pm |
Good luck team USA! We are so excited to share in this experience and we will be cheering you on! Enjoy your time in Bejing and bring home the gold! We are proud of all of you! The Bradley’s from Oregon, WI!
Nana and Papa from Washington // September 5, 2008 at 9:37 am |
Watching each day. Good luck team Go Joe.
Brett Chynoweth // September 6, 2008 at 3:36 am |
I think you called 2-day! Very broken connection but the bottom line had more to do with “ONE QUATER @ A TIME”! Take it home! U.S.A.
Nana and Papa from Washington // September 6, 2008 at 11:15 am |
Hi Mieko,
Have a great time. Good luck to our team.
Humpy from Crivitz, WI // September 6, 2008 at 4:43 pm |
Good Luck Team USA
Your already winners.
We’ll be watching, Go MATT !!!!
Uncle D. & Aunt Jeanne // September 6, 2008 at 5:24 pm |
You are already a winner in our eyes! Jeanne says thanks for the birthday wishes!!! By now, I hope you are 1-0
Granpa Chambers // September 6, 2008 at 11:25 pm |
I am right there with Joe, Go USA
Grandpa KK & Grandma Judds from Oconto, WI // September 7, 2008 at 11:10 am |
Jeremy (Opie) Matt and the rest of the USA Team, just seen that you won your first game, way to go, we are so proud of you all.
Fred (Dad) // September 7, 2008 at 1:08 pm |
If there is a prouder Dad in the world I have no idea who it could be. I am so proud of you and what you have accomplished to this point in time. Bring home the gold luv ya.
Dan & Rosanne, Oconto, WI // September 7, 2008 at 5:02 pm |
Jeremy (Opie),
Congratulations to you and TEAM USA on your first win! We can only imagine the excitement you are all feeling. Good luck at the next game with Brazil. We’re proud of you!
Kim, Dave, Ryan, & Michael // September 7, 2008 at 10:45 pm |
WAY TO GO TEAM USA!!!!
Lisa Lesperance // September 8, 2008 at 9:25 am |
Matt,
Sure wish we could all be there to cheer you on in person, but we’re cheering and praying for you guys here. So proud of you and all of your accomplishments! Good Luck!
Debbie and Chopper // September 8, 2008 at 9:07 pm |
Hi Jeremy! I am so very proud of you. Way to to TEAM USA!!!!! Chopper and I love you lots!
Missy Pritzl // September 8, 2008 at 10:44 pm |
To the girls…thanks so much for keeping this site up to date and sharing everything you have!!! It’s truly amazing to see all your pics and to read your stories
To the guys….Awesome job so far! Thinking of all of you and wishing you the best!!!! Keep it up!!!!!
Hope you are all enjoying every second of it!!!! You guys are incredible!
Kim, Dave, Ryan, & Michael // September 8, 2008 at 11:30 pm |
WOW! This is great, now that I am getting the hang of it…Love your updates w/the Team USA games etc. Also, love the pics! I dont think I could handle that Subway. You look like Sardines!! hehe.
We did get to view a clip of the team playing and saw you Joe. We are so proud of you!
You are doing great TEAM USA!! Keep it up, we are CHEERING FOR YOU ALL THE WAY!!!!
THE DRAYS FAMILY // September 9, 2008 at 7:48 am |
JEREMY LADE;
GOOD LUCK WITH THE REST OF THE GAMES! ALL YOU GUYS ARE DOING GREAT!
WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR WHOLE TRIP WHEN YOU GET HOME. AND SEE YOUR GOLD MEDAL!
Jessica Belongia // September 9, 2008 at 11:08 am |
I’m So Glad To Hear You Won The First 2!! Keep Up The Good Work Guys! We’re Proud!!!
Kim, Dave, Ryan, & Michael // September 9, 2008 at 3:19 pm |
LOVE YOU GUYS! YOU ARE STILL DOING GREAT. WHAT A CLOSE GAME. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. WE ARE STILL CHEERING FOR YOU TEAM USA!
Kim, Dave, Ryan, & Michael // September 10, 2008 at 11:10 am |
GREAT JOB IN THE GAME WITH CHINA! WISH WE COULD OF BEEN THERE JOE. WE ARE SO HAPPY FOR YOU. Joe, Jason says “hi” from Army Basic Training. He passed running w/his bum foot by the way, so grad day is this Friday Sept 12. He says he is rooting for the Team! Amber too, even though their computer isnt up right now. They had to prepare for hurricane IKE which is headed their way & thankfully they will be at Jasons graduation in Oklahoma & not at home. HI JANA, MIEKO, & KELLI, I ENVY YOU & WISH I WAS THERE TO WATCH THE GAMES W/YOU, GO TO THE SILK MARKET & SIGHT SEE! WHAT FUN. Thanks again for this website. Love it, Kim
John, Mary, Ali and Nolan // September 11, 2008 at 8:29 am |
You guys are doing awesome – keep up the good work!! Have fun in China and bring home the gold – you guys deserve it!
Kim, Dave, Ryan, & Michael // September 11, 2008 at 9:46 am |
AWESOME GAME TEAM USA! Dave, Michael, Ryan & I, just finished watching you guys play Australia live on paralympicsport.tv and it was a tough game, but you guys showed them you were tougher! Joe we loved seeing you play and the boys got a kick out of you being compared to “SHAQ”. Jana & Mieko, we were hoping the camera would let us see you in the stands but no luck this time. Bummer. Have fun & we look fw to seeing more games. GO TEAM USA!!!
Grandpa KK & Grandma Judds from Oconto, WI // September 11, 2008 at 10:16 am |
Jeremy (Opie) and all the USA TEAM congratulations on your win today, keep up the good work. Love you
Jessica Belongia // September 12, 2008 at 2:18 pm |
Awesome Win Over China!!!
Keep Up The Amazing Job Opie & Team USA!! We’re All Cheering For You!!!!! 
Terry leigh // September 13, 2008 at 9:50 am |
Great job you guys are doing!!! Not as much coverage as we would like to see. Good Luck Jeremy and the whole team . Soak up this awesome experience. Terry and Grace
Debbie Belongia // September 13, 2008 at 10:08 am |
WooooHoooo Team USA!!!! It was amazing watching you play against Australia. Jeremy, I was so proud to see you out there. Keep up the fight for GOLD! Canada is next – Team USA can do it!!!
We will all be cheering for you!
Debbie and Chopper // September 13, 2008 at 10:10 am |
Jeremy and Melissa we love you!!
Hassimi Traore // September 13, 2008 at 11:13 am |
Kelli and Mieko,
Thank you very very much for keeping up update of the paraolympic games. I will watch tomorrow game Canada vs USA.
You are doing a great job!
Cheers!!!!!
Hassimi
Kim, Dave, Ryan, & Michael // September 13, 2008 at 5:27 pm |
That is too bad about Iran pulling out, though it is good for the USA. We will look fw to watching the game Sunday against Canada. Hope everyone on TEAM USA is getting revived for the upcoming games—GO TEAM USA!!!
Grandma Saucier sends BEST WISHES to MATT // September 13, 2008 at 10:14 pm |
Grandma wants you to know that she is thinking of you and is glad that you are enjoying yourself in China. She says be HAPPY and she can’t wait to see you when you get home.
Aunt Linny is following Matt's journey // September 13, 2008 at 10:23 pm |
Watched your game against Australia, WOW what an exciting game and let me tell you that you were AWESOME. We could see your Dad, Mom and Heather cheering in the stand for YOU and TEAM USA. Good luck, we’re watching, and GO, GO, GO MATT and TEAM USA.
Kim, Dave, Ryan, & Michael // September 14, 2008 at 11:16 am |
Great game TEAM USA! You were so close and it was quite a game against Canada. You all played hard and did an awesome job. I was sure on the edge of my seat cheering for you. Keep up the great plays Joe! Love ya!
Janet Barber // September 14, 2008 at 12:18 pm |
Still one of the Most exciting games ever!
Arnold Rymer // September 14, 2008 at 9:22 pm |
May you enjoy continued success in the basketball games. It is so exciting to see the games. Keep up the good work!!
PROUD of MATT and TEAM USA // September 15, 2008 at 6:05 am |
What a tremendous battle with Canada! TEAM USA certainly played with total AMERICAN Spirit, everyone did a GREAT job. Don’t look back unless you’re looking for OUR SUPPORT because we are there, right behind you. Let’s all look ahead and keep up the good work!! GO TEAM USA!!!
Kim, Dave, Ryan, & Michael // September 15, 2008 at 6:20 am |
This is our last day checking in to cheer our TEAM USA on. The movers are coming this morning and we will be on the road and unfortunately miss the game w/Great Britain. We will be thinking of you all and wishing you well. Joe, it made us so happy to see you playing the sport you love! AWESOME!! Thank you Mieko and Kelli for the website, it was a blessing for us to come to and see what you all were experiencing and watching TEAM USA play. We had a great time too! We will follow up when we can to see how the game went and look fw to finding out. Oh, we finally saw you girls in the stand during the game w/Canada—Jana too! (Of course you all look great.) Take care everyone and keep up the good team work.
~~~GO TEAM USA!~~~WE LOVE YOU!~~~
Debbie Belongia // September 15, 2008 at 7:52 pm |
Team USA ……what a game against Canada! It sure was exciting to watch. Good luck against Great Britain on Tuesday. I’ll be cheering for you!
GO TEAM USA!!!!!!!!!!!
Kim, Dave, Ryan, & Michael // September 16, 2008 at 11:42 am |
Hi Team USA~~~the movers got delayed a day, but we have been scrambling and we didn’t get to see the game (hopefully can see replay later). Sorry about the loss w/GB, but you guys should all be proud of yourselves for showing the world you are such awesome players. We can’t say enough about getting the opportunity to watch you play—it was amazing to see the strength and talent Team USA has. WE LOVE YOU! Take care Joe, Mieko, & Jana and keep in touch. Thanks again Mieko and Kelli, you did a great job on the website. Bye for now.
Grandpa KK & Grandma Judds from Oconto, WI // September 16, 2008 at 4:38 pm |
Jeremy (Opie) and all the USA TEAM!!! so sorry about the lost, you guys are still the best Team there is and we are very proud of you all.