GCC Newsletter Fall 3 - Grandview Children`s Centre

Getting to Know
Steven Cooper
(CONTINUED FROM FRONT)
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Is how girls and young women will feel after they
take part in Grandview's Fall Spa Day! The theme
for Sunday, October 4th is 'Empowerment' and
will feature a speaker from ARCH Disability Law
Centre. The participants will learn important
information on how the law protects them from
discrimination, what to do if they encounter
discrimination and more.
Following a delicious lunch catered by The Kitchen
Garden, it will be time to kick back, relax and be
pampered with Massage Therapy and other
esthetic services. This empowering and relaxing
Spa Day is made possible by General Mills
Champions for Healthy Kids - thank you!
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Bowling, Hip Hop Dance and the
Photography Club. Every activity at
Grandview is so much fun and I have
learned many new skills. When I turned 14,
I joined the Teen Group at Grandview.
Sometimes I go to dances and activities
with the teen group. This spring, I was
invited to go to a Teen Independence
Weekend overnight camp with Grandview
to learn how to be more independent. We
had to do chores but we also went fishing,
had a bonfire, played minigolf and other
games. Some teens went horseback riding,
but I was not allowed to because of my
restrictions so I watched everyone have fun
with the horses. I really liked camp and
hope I get to go again.
There are so many people at Grandview
who have helped me over the years. I love
going to Grandview because the staff make
me feel happy. The people who work there
listen to me, make me feel better when my
arthritis or my hip hurts. They are always
friendly and willing to talk to me. Going to
Grandview makes me feel good inside.
Thanks to all the help I have had from the
staff and volunteers I am now walking
again. In my future I want to be able to live
in an apartment and have a job. I also hope
that someday I will be able to help other
kids at Grandview Children's Centre.
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Ability Online
Welcome to a world of possibilities ruled by the
belief that there are no disabilities online: Ability
Online is a FREE internet community
monitored 24 hours per day for young people
with disabilities to connect in a non-threatening,
non-judgemental environment. Friendship and
mutual respect thrive! Homework help, games
and online groups for parents/guardians are also
available. Visit www.abilityonline.org to register,
or access the site using the computer in the
Resource Centre at Grandview's Oshawa site.
Centre Closure Friday October 30
All Grandview sites will be closed for a staff planning and development day.
If you have any questions please speak with your child's therapist.
We have a wonderful children's series in our Resource
Centre. These books are appropriate for children ages 5
to 10 years of age. Our 'Back to School' books include:
Taking Cystic Fibrosis to School
Taking A.D.D. to School
Taking Food Allergies to School
Taking Asthma to School
Taking Visual Impairment to School
Taking Diabetes to School
Taking Down Syndrome to School
Taking Seizure Disorder to School
Taking Cerebral Palsy to School
Taking Hearing Impairment to School
Taking Arthritis to School
Taking Cancer to School
Children's books may be borrowed for 3 weeks by filling
in the library card in the back of the book and putting
the card in the sign out box on the filing cabinet. Thank
you for visiting the RBC Family Resource Centre!
Pam McColl, Foundation Director
Another Great Grandview Golf Classic!
The Foundation's volunteer Golf Committee worked extremely hard to continue to provide an
excellent day of golf to benefit the kids at Grandview. The weather was favourable, the greens
fantastic for the tee off at Deer Creek Golf Club. Great participation and a range of fun
contests helped raise over $30,000 for special programs and activities for Grandview children
and youth with special needs. We thank the dedicated sponsors for their continued support,
and the team of 30 volunteers who assisted with the on course activities.
With special thanks to this years organizing committee, James Tremblay, Derek Stone, Ron
O'Hearn, Pete Morrison, Yvonne Brady, Graziella Vander Baaren and Geoff Osborne.
Beatles Sing for
Grandview Kids
A Grand
Butterfly Release!
On Saturday, September 12th hundreds of Monarch
butterflies were released at Grandview Children's
Centre. This unique fundraising activity was organized
by Foundation volunteers and staff to create
awareness for Grandview and to support the special
kids that visit us every day. We thank the sponsors for
their support and enthusiasm of Grandview! TD
Canada Trust, HMA, A division of Johnson Insurance,
and Rogers Television.
Global Spectrum Facility Management,
operators of the General Motors Centre, is
pleased to welcome “1964”…The Tribute as
the first concert of the 2009/2010 Durham
Charity Entertainment Showcase. Bringing
you “Twist and Shout”, “Yesterday”, “This
Boy” and more favourites, “1964”…The
Tribute will bring back memories of The
Beatles on December 5th, 2009 at the
General Motors Centre. Grandview
Children's Foundation and the Durham
Family YMCA will benefit from the proceeds
of every ticket sold for the event. A 16 piece
orchestra will perform with the band in the
second half, making this a wonderful
Holiday spectacular. Help support children
and youth in Durham by making this your
holiday concert! For ticket information
call the the General Motors Centre Box
Office at 1-877-436-8811 or online at
www.generalmotorscentre.com
We need your help more
than ever this year!
Join us for our 8th Annual
Charity FUNspiel and help us
provide opportunities for
Grandview kids. Please support
us through sponsorship,
donations and/or registering
your team for this year's
FUNspiel. Register before
September 30th and you will be
entered into our early bird draw.
All proceeds help to provide
unique programs for Durham
Region children and youth with
special needs.
For further details visit us at
www.grandviewcc.ca
And amigos, don't forget to
wear your best sombreros
as this years' FUNspiel has
gone Mexican!
Many thanks to our generous sponsors the
Oshawa Curling Club, Los Cabos
Cantina and Grill and Bull Dog Pub.
Your gift, regardless of the size, will make a vital difference in helping Grandview uphold and enhance a tradition of quality and commitment to excellence
and will help provide specialized programs and services for thousands of children and youth with special needs in our community.
Charitable Business Number 89105 8547 RR0001
GRANDVIEW CHILDREN’S FOUNDATION
600 Townline Road South, Oshawa, Ontario L1H 7K6
905.728.1673 or 1.800.304.6180
Fax: 905.728.2961
www.grandviewcc.ca
Grandview Children’s Centre Newsletter
Fall 2009
Centre closure for planning
day Friday October 30.
See back page for details.
BRING YOUR FESTIVE SPIRIT AND SKATES TO
GRANDVIEW'S ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARTY!
Sunday, December 6th 11:00 am - 12:30 pm
Legends Centre, 1661 Harmony Rd. N. Oshawa
Skate time is 11:00 am - 11:50 am
Festivities to follow!
RSVP adult accompaniment required.
Beat the Christmas rush. Register now at
905.728.1673 ext 2247.
By providing a range of
services, Grandview
Children's Centre works
with families and their
children with special
needs to achieve their
personal best.
‘Grandviews’ is produced 3 times a year for
families and supporters of Grandview Children's
Centre and Grandview Children's Foundation.
Our mailing list is not shared with any
organizations outside of Grandview. If you wish
to have your name removed from this list,
call 905.728.1673 ext 2240.
www.grandviewcc.ca
Hi, my name is Steven James Cooper! I was born on
October 17, 1992 at the Oshawa General Hospital. I
live in Courtice with my mom, my dad, my brother and
myself. We also have two cats, Snicklefritz and Allie.
I went to Dr. Emily Stowe P.S. from Kindergarten to
Grade 8 and now I attend Courtice Secondary
School. In Grade 9 I took drama, science, math, and
english. My favourite subject was drama because I
love to act and be on the stage!
When I am at home I like to listen to music and my
favourite CD is Camp Rock. I like to make my own
CDs and explore the internet for movie trailers. I
love to go to plays, especially musicals! This spring
I got to go to see High School Musical at the
Oshawa Little Theatre and The Sound of Music in
Toronto at the Princess of Wales Theatre. My Mom
and Dad are always watching for different plays to
take me to in Oshawa and Toronto! Some of my
other favourite activities include going with my
Dad to the shopping centre and getting to buy New
York Fries, going to the movies, bowling and going
on trips. I also have a music therapist who comes to
visit me every other week. We sing, make up new
songs and have a great time playing instruments.
I have been going to Grandview since I was 3 years
old for many different reasons. I was born with Down
Syndrome but when I was 31/2 , I was diagnosed with
Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. Ever since then, I have
been using the warm water pool at Grandview for
therapy to help my joints feel better.
When I was 12, I suffered a major hip problem that
caused me to have lots of surgeries and stopped me
from walking for 4 years. Last July, Dr. Gross at
Mount Sinai Hospital decided that I needed a hip
replacement. I was in hospital for 5 days and then I
went to Bloorview Kids Rehab for 7 weeks for
therapy after my surgery. When I came home in late
September, I was not physically ready to start high
school. So, I went to Campbell Children's School at
Grandview for another 6 weeks so that I could
receive physiotherapy and continue with my school
work. I had a great teacher, 'Mrs. D' and the class
was so much fun. Before I left, Mrs. D. and her staff
turned our classroom into a castle. We had a
festival just like in the book I was reading: Magic
Treehouse 2 The Knight at Dawn. I met some great
people and learned a lot at Campbell's School. In
November, I was finally able to start school Grade 9
at Courtice High School, but I still to come to
Grandview a couple of times a week for therapy.
My Physiotherapist at Grandview makes me work
hard on the exercises that strengthen my legs and
with her help I have learned to walk and to climb
the stairs without my cane. Winnie makes me
practise so much. I also do my exercises at home
and at school. Finally my hard work has paid off and
after many years I could finally walk without a cane
and climb the stairs. I love working in the pool the
best. Grandview has lots of special volunteers such
as Daylene and Anthony who help me do my
exercises in the pool.
I have a lot of great memories of the special things
I have done at Grandview such as the Christmas
parties with 'Rick and Terri' and the Durham
Regional Police. As a member of the Grandview
team, I won a trophy for being the boy athlete of
the games. My favourite part of the Police Games
was getting to dance to the police band the
Cruisers ( now the Heat)! I have attended many
recreational activities at Grandview such as the
summer day camps. I love meeting the different
counsellors and fellow campers. One year at camp,
we learned how to take pictures and then made
slide shows. I also love camp when Erin comes for
music and Wendy comes for art! The recreation
activities give me fun all year long by attending
CONTINUED INSIDE
Family Support Services is available to provide support in many different ways for families
of children with disabilities. Registered Social Workers and a Family Support Assistant
provide a range of services including individual and family counseling, support groups, and
educational sessions. We also provide service coordination, financial aide assistance, as well
as advocacy and consultation for your child.
Support Groups
We offer a number of Support Groups for parents and caregivers of children with special needs. These
groups provide a supportive environment that is safe, inclusive and confidential, for parents to express
their feelings and concerns, and to share common experiences of raising children with disabilities.
Support groups are offered semi-monthly in the mornings or evenings. And Dads, we didn't forget about
you! Family Support Services also hosts a monthly “DAD'S GROUP” which provides an opportunity to
discuss issues, learn about your child and celebrate their accomplishments. For more information on how
to access support, please contact your Family Support Worker or call Tanya at ext. 2358.
LINK N' LEARN Our Link n' Learn sessions provide parents with an opportunity to learn about
numerous issues that they may encounter as well as an opportunity to meet with other families
here at Grandview. Topics this year include Attendant Care with ARCH Disability Law Centre, Winter
Family Gathering, the Education Series, School Transition with Lindsay Moir, and Wills, Trusts and
Estate Planning in partnership with Infant Development. Please watch our website & posting boards
for further information.
FUNDING FAIR Keep your eyes open for Grandview's first ever FUNding Fair on October 27th,
between 5-8pm. This Link 'n Learn will provide families with an opportunity to drop in & meet with
various charities and funding agencies to discuss their programs.
SUPER SIBS! Calling all Sibs! We are in the planning stages for another Super Sibs! group at
Grandview. This group provides an opportunity for brothers ands sisters to learn, share and
celebrate their sibling's diagnosis, while having lots of fun! If this sounds interesting to you, please
call Tanya at ext. 2358 to sign-up.
TEEN GROUP Being a teen with a disability can often make it difficult to meet people, and make
new friends. Grandview offers a Teen Group at the Oshawa Community Centre. This group provides
kids ages 13 - 21 with an opportunity to laugh, make new friends and socialize with one another.
Youth are encouraged to initiate conversations and practice independence skills, while enjoying
activities such as card playing, bingo & karaoke! This program runs every other Thursday from
6:30pm - 8:30pm and is supervised by the adolescent Family Support Worker and Recreation
Coordinator. For more information, please contact Steve at ext. 2354.
October is Occupational Therapy Month!
The primary goal of occupational therapy is to enable people to participate in meaningful activities
which give purpose to their everyday lives. In children this can include play, printing, cutting, getting
dressed, feeding, hanging out with friends, household chores and participating in school. Sometimes
physical, social, institutional and/ or environmental barriers may get in the way of a person's ability to
participate in everyday activities. At Grandview, Occupational Therapists can work with you and your
child to develop goals that are meaningful and provide strategies to overcome barriers to increase
independence in everyday activities.
October is Occupational Therapy month! Help us to celebrate the Skills for the Job of Living! Check out
www.otworks.ca for more information about Occupational Therapy.
Family Networking Opportunities
Parenting comes with joys and challenges, but
caring for a child or youth with special needs can
leave some parents/guardians feeling isolated and
alone. Do you feel like no one understands what
you're going through? Would you like to meet
other parents/guardians to share information and
resources? Our new Family Facilitator, Lisa
Wilson, is the parent of a child who has received
services at Grandview, and is available to help
families connect with one another. Facilitated
group meetings and networking by email or
telephone can be arranged. This program is
generously sponsored by a grant from RBC
Foundation. To request a Family Networking
Opportunity, contact Lisa at 905-728-1673
x 2311 or lisa.wilson@grtc.ca
Disability Awareness Program
Is your child or youth attending a new school this
fall? Would you like to promote understanding of
your child's disability among his/her classmates?
Grandview's Disability Awareness Program is
available to schools, daycares and community
groups in Durham Region to educate students
about differences, while advocating acceptance
and inclusion. Our Disability Awareness Program
Coordinator is available to work with
parents/guardians to develop a presentation with
a particular child/youth in mind, or can give
presentations tailored for various age groups to
raise general awareness of disabilities.
Parents/guardians, principals, teachers and staff
can contact Lisa Wilson at 905-728-1673 x 2560
or lisa.wilson@grtc.ca to request a presentation.
Vicky Earle, Executive Director
I would like to take this opportunity to provide a brief overview of a few of
the exciting things that have happened during the past year.
We are delighted that, in partnership with the Central East Community Care
Access Centre, we are running a small pilot project for some clients of
Grandview that are transferring from Campbell Children's School to their
home schools this fall. These children will be receiving their school-based
therapy support services from Grandview. We will be interested to receive the
evaluation results to see if clients and their families experience improved
continuity of care and integration of services.
We have been continuing to plan for a new facility. We are so grateful to the
Ontario Ministry of Children and Youth Services for funding the planning and
preliminary design. With the help of the Board-appointed consultants and
architects, the preparatory work was begun during this past year, and we are
on track towards our goal of submitting a request for construction dollars to
the Ontario Government in the fall of this year.
As I mentioned in the spring issue of 'Grandview's', the lack of any increase in
the annual operating budget for Grandview has become an even greater
challenge this year. Since costs have increased, this means our budget does
not stretch as far as it did. This means longer wait lists for children with
special needs in Durham.
Despite these challenges, we received a glowing report from families who
completed the family survey at the end of the year. 96% of the families who
responded rated the quality of service as “excellent” or “good”. This
compares to 90% for the most recent previous survey that was
conducted in 2005. 89% responded that almost all or most needs
were met, and 98% responded that services were very helpful or
helpful. We are delighted with these results and appreciate families
taking the time to respond to the survey.
Grandview's Board of Trustees has been working very hard this past
year. They have undertaken a comprehensive governance review and
have implemented a new board structure. The Board Trustees have
taken their governance responsibilities seriously and I have the
greatest respect and appreciation for the hard work and dedication
of these volunteers.
We are also grateful for the work of the Foundation. Grandview
Children's Foundation's support and hard work is critically important
to the Centre's success, especially in recreation services.
I feel privileged to be a member of the Grandview team, and am
looking forward to the great and exciting things we will be working
on in the future - all for the benefit of children and youth with
special needs and their families.
Thank you.
PS I welcome your suggestions or comments,
please email: vicky.earle@grtc.ca
Immunization and Your Child
By Doctor Carolyn Hunt, Medical Director
Vaccination is the best way to protect your child against number serious infectious diseases. In Ontario, children are routinely vaccinated against many serious
illnesses such as polio, various forms of Meningitis, measles, mumps and pneumococcal diseases. Because of immunization, these diseases have been virtually
eradicated in Canada. It is always hard to watch your child receive an injection such as immunization, but if you have opportunity to talk to an older person
about what it was like when children were at risk for these serious illnesses, without any way to protect them, it certainly eases the pain for parents.
Parents often have questions about immunization, you should talk to your primary care physician about these questions at the well baby and well child visits,
which usually correspond with the timing of immunizations. There are very few reasons to avoid vaccination. Children who have had a SEVERE allergic reaction
to egg should only have the flu vaccination under close medical supervision. Very occasionally, children can have severe allergic reactions to vaccination; these
children should see an allergist and recommendations about vaccination can flow from there. Some children get redness at the site of the injection or a fever
after the injection. Talk to your family doctor or community pediatrician about how to minimize these symptoms.
Many parents are concerned about the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) immunizations and if they are connected to Autism. To date there is no compelling
medical literature to support the idea that MMR immunizations are related to Autism. For the vast majority of children, there are some signs of Autism long
before the MMR is ever given. In European countries that have delayed MMR vaccination schedules, or in countries where fewer parents choose vaccination, the
rates of Autism are the same as they are in Canada.
A schedule of immunizations is available from the Canadian Pediatric Society. For more information on this and other great topics check out:
www.caringforkids.cps.ca: a great website for parents!
Get Involved This Fall!
Cathy Kelly, Manager, Recreation and Volunteer Services
This fall children and youth are encouraged to come out have fun with their peers to develop and
enhance their passion for a recreational activity. Opportunities abound and include both creative
activities and active pursuits. There are several to choose from. Registration is now being accepted for
Grandview's fall recreation and leisure programs! They are offered in a variety of locations across
Durham Region.
Art programs, yoga, hip hop and creative dance, sports, martial arts classes and specialized youth
programs, are just a few of this fall's exciting activities. Grandview's recreation programs provide a low
staff to participant ratio and strive to accommodate participants' special needs.
Check out the enclosed brochure for a complete listing of programs. For more information call the
registration hotline at 905.728.1673 ext 2247 or visit us at www.grandviewcc.ca.
Grandview Therapist
Shares Her Experience in Trinidad
By Serena Chow, Occupational Therapist
In the spring of 2009, I had the unique opportunity to use my clinical skills internationally as I
accompanied three student Occupational Therapists on a fieldwork placement in Trinidad.
Students studying Occupational Therapy at the University of Toronto have the opportunity of
completing an international placement. A partnership between the University and Immortelle
Children's Centre in Trinidad offers six students fieldwork placements.
The University arranges for a Canadian Occupational Therapist to supervise and teach the
students as Occupational Therapy services are very limited in Trinidad, and Immortelle Children's
Centre does not have an Occupational Therapist on staff. Fortunately I was accepted to supervise
the spring group of students and Grandview was very supportive of me embarking on this
opportunity.
During my time in Trinidad, I practiced at both the children's school and the prevocational centre
and assisted the student Occupational Therapists in providing individual and group therapy. Our
creativity was always challenged as we often had to find alternative ways to provide therapy with
their limited resources. We also had the opportunity to visit the Occupational Therapists
practicing at the Scarborough Regional Hospital in Tobago (the adjacent island), and observe the
heartbreaking day-to-day operations of a facility in an under privileged country. One of the most
touching moments during my time in Trinidad was when I met a few of the families who received
donated pieces of equipment received from a number of facilities in the Greater Toronto Area
(including Grandview). These families were extremely appreciative of these donations as it often
takes years to save to purchase specialized equipment.
I enjoyed my time in Trinidad and found it to be an experience of a lifetime that enriched me
both professionally and personally. It provided a good look at what rehabilitation services are
like in other countries and reinforced how lucky we are with what we have in North America.
Serena Chow is an Occupational Therapist at Grandview Children's Centre. She has been working
as an OT for about 6 years and is currently part of the preschool program which services children
from 0 - 6 years old.
PROFILE OF A
dedicated
volunteer
MEGHAN HALYK
Meghan has been supporting a
range of volunteer activities at
Grandview since October 2007.
She started in high school as a
means of completing the required
community hours, and has
continued ever since.
Meghan has helped out with
Recreation Services 'Sizzling
Saturday' program and volunteers
in the summer as a 'Meet and
Greet' volunteer at the Centre's
Oshawa site. Megan enjoys
helping clients choose the special
beads from the bravery bead
program after they have attended
the Windfields Muscle Tone Clinic.
Meghan has been working as a
Crew Trainer at McDonalds for
three years. When she has time,
she enjoys reading, going to
movies, and travelling. When she's
not volunteering at Grandview
Megan is probably horseback
riding or wishing she was. When
asked what keeps Meghan
coming back each week, she will
tell you that Grandview is a cool
place that provides a positive
experience for kids.
A student at Guelph University in
Arts and Science Meghan is
considering a career as an
Occupational Therapist or a
Speech Language Pathologist.
Grandview is lucky to have Meghan!