Easter Seals British Columbia Ambassadors

Easter Seals Manitoba Ambassadors

Easter Seals New Brunswick  Ambassador

Easter Seals Newfoundland and Labrador Ambassador

Easter Seals Nova Scotia Ambassadors

Easter Seals Ontario Ambassadors

Easter Seals Prince Edward Island Ambassador

Easter Seals Saskatchewan Ambassadors

During the project, participants will be given special user accounts where they will be able to upload recorded lectures and receive speech recognition generated, multimedia transcripts. The Transcribe your class Hosted Transcription Service converts your professor’s voice into written words that can be used to study from. Either you or your instructor can simply upload an audio file of the lecture and get a transcribed copy fast.  The text is even synchronized with the original audio, so it’s easy to find words and phrases.

The call to participate is now available. Brief application forms for Students, Faculty, and Support Professionals are posted at www.transcribeyourclass.ca

This winter 2011 academic year, there will be 75 user accounts available. Given the project focus, applications from students with disabilities directly will have priority. Let your professors know about this service and sign up today. Spaces are limited so don’t let this opportunity pass you by.

Access 2 Entertainment Card

Disability Travel Card

Jump Start

Provincial Programs

Canadian Tire Jumpstart is a charitable program that helps financially disadvantaged kids get involved in organized sport and recreation by covering registration, equipment or transportation costs. The program is delivered through 290 community Chapters across Canada. Chapters are made up of Canadian Tire Dealers and community partners who identify children who could benefit from the program.

Easter Seals Canada, a new Chapter of the Jumpstart program will work very closely with our provincial member organizations to ensure Canadian Tire Jumpstart funding is directed to children who need it the most.

To apply for Jumpstart funding through Easter Seals is simple. Simply download the Application form (listed below) – fill it out and fax it to 416-932-9844 or scan the completed form to your computer and email it to jumpstart@easterseals.ca; you can email any questions or comments to that email address as well.

Download The Jump Start Application Form — (right click on this line of text click ‘Save link as…’ and save the PDF to your desktop).

NOTE: You do not need to be a child living with disability to apply for Jumpstart funding through Easter Seals.  Please share this information with siblings of Easter Seals kids, Easter Seals Summer Camp councilors or family and friends of the organization and its service users.

Everybody’s fighting some kind of stereotype, and people with disabilities are no exception. The difference is that barriers people with disabilities face begin with people’s attitudes – attitudes often rooted in misinformation and misunderstandings about what it’s like to live with a disability.

Myth 1: People with disabilities are brave and courageous.
Fact: Adjusting to a disability requires adapting to a lifestyle, not bravery and courage.

Myth 2: All persons who use wheelchairs are chronically ill or sickly.
Fact: The association between wheelchair use and illness may have evolved through hospitals using wheelchairs to transport sick people. A person may use a wheelchair for a variety of reasons, none of which may have anything to do with lingering illness.

Myth 3: Wheelchair use is confining; people who use wheelchairs are ‘wheelchair-bound’.
Fact: A wheelchair, like a bicycle or an automobile, is a personal assistive device that enables someone to get around.

Myth 4: All persons with hearing disabilities can read lips.
Fact: Lip-reading skills vary among people who use them and are never entirely reliable.

Myth 5: People who are blind acquire a ‘sixth sense’.
Fact: Although most people who are blind develop their remaining senses more fully, they do not have a ‘sixth sense’.

Myth 6: People with disabilities are more comfortable with ‘their own kind’.
Fact: In the past, grouping people with disabilities in separate schools and institutions reinforced this misconception. Today, many people with disabilities take advantage of new opportunities to join mainstream society.

Myth 7: Non-disabled people are obligated to ‘take care of’ people with disabilities.
Fact: Anyone may offer assistance, but most people with disabilities prefer to be responsible for themselves.

Myth 8: Curious children should never ask people about their disabilities.
Fact: Many children have a natural, uninhibited curiosity and may ask questions that some adults consider embarrassing. But scolding curious children may make them think having a disability is ‘wrong’ or ‘bad’. Most people with disabilities won’t mind answering a child’s question.

Myth 9: The lives of people with disabilities are totally different than the lives of people without disabilities.
Fact: People with disabilities go to school, get married, work, have families, do laundry, grocery shop, laugh, cry, pay taxes, get angry, have prejudices, vote, plan and dream like everyone else.

Myth 10: It is all right for people without disabilities to park in accessible parking spaces, if only for a few minutes.
Fact: Because accessible parking spaces are designed and situated to meet the needs of people who have disabilities, these spaces should only be used by people who need them.

Myth 11: Most people with disabilities cannot have sexual relationships.
Fact: Anyone can have a sexual relationship by adapting the sexual activity. People with disabilities can have children naturally or through adoption. People with disabilities, like other people, are sexual beings.

Myth 12: People with disabilities always need help.
Fact: Many people with disabilities are independent and capable of giving help. If you would like to help someone with a disability, ask if he or she needs it before you act.

Myth 13: There is nothing one person can do to help eliminate the barriers confronting people with disabilities.
Fact: Everyone can contribute to change. You can help remove barriers by:
• Understanding the need for accessible parking and leaving it for those who need it
• Encouraging participation of people with disabilities in community activities by using accessible meeting and event sites
• Understanding children’s curiosity about disabilities and people who have them
• Advocating a barrier-free environment
• Speaking up when negative words or phrases are used about disability
• Writing producers and editors a note of support when they portray someone with a disability as a ‘regular person’ in the media
• Accepting people with disabilities as individuals capable of the same needs and feelings as yourself, and hiring qualified persons with disabilities whenever possible

The most famous are Easter Seals camp programs which annually serve more than 6,000  children with disabilities at 15 locations  across the country.  The summer camps have what you would normally expect: camp fire stories and songs, swimming, kangaroo court, structured activities and so on. Some even include a climbing wall, high rope course and giant swing – all fully accessible to kids with disabilities. Easter Seals camps also offer a counselor to camper ratio of three to one.

Other services include year-round sport and social opportunities, as well as the provision of specialized mobility and access equipment such as mobility aids, assistive technology, adaptive computers, augmentative communication devices and adaptations to homes and vehicles for wheelchair accessibility.

To find out more about Easter Seals programs and services in your province, please click on one of the following:

Easter Seals Alberta

Easter Seals British Columbia

Easter Seals Manitoba

Easter Seals New Brunswick

Easter Seals Newfoundland & Labrador

Easter Seals Nova Scotia

Easter Seals Ontario

Easter Seals Prince Edward Island

Easter Seals Quebec

Easter Seals Saskatchewan

To find out more, please contact Greg Sarney at 416-932-8382 x 226 or gsarney @ easterseals.ca

Natasha Kaweski, 2009 Easter Seals BC Ambassador

Natasha Kaweski

Natasha Kaweski of Delta, BC is 13 years old and no stranger to Easter Seals Camp – she’s been attending for the past seven years! She lives in Delta with her mom, dad, brother, two sisters and six cats. Natasha was born with Morquio syndrome, which occurs when the body is unable to produce specific enzymes, causing dwarfism. Her brother Damien also has Morquio’s and is an Easter Seals Camper as well.

Natasha is very excited to begin her tenure as an Easter Seals Ambassador. She wants to be a teacher when she grows up and is looking forward to perfecting her public speaking skills, which she will put to good use as she shares her love for Easter Seals Camp with everyone. She likes reading, sewing, arts and crafts and swimming, and of course, just hanging out with her friends.

Nathan Bragg, 2009 Easter Seals BC Ambassador

Nathan Bragg

Nathan Bragg is a veteran Easter Seals Camper, and his outgoing personality, boundless enthusiasm and sincere dedication to the Easter Seals cause made him the perfect representative.

Nathan was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy at the age of three. He doesn’t let CP slow him down, though – Nathan is an active, energetic kid and he has made Camp Squamish his summer destination for the past 8 years.

“Camp is his life,” Nathan’s mom says. “He would go every day if he could!” Nathan cites Camp Squamish as “one of my favourite places in the world…it never gets dull.”

At camp his favourite activities include hanging out with his many friends (he’s the life of the party!), swinging on the big swing (“The big swing is amazing – going up 60 feet in the air is as exhilarating as it is scary,” he proclaims) and swimming. Nathan is also a bit of a prankster – look out for practical jokes whenever he’s around! When he’s not having a blast at camp, Nathan resides in Maple Ridge, BC, with his family and two dogs. You might find him reading, playing video games, spending time with his friends or tearing up the local basketball court. When he grows up he wants to be a journalist, sports commentator or lawyer.

Nathan is an incredible example of the positive impact the Easter Seals Camping Program has had on children with disabilities across the province.

“Camp means a lot to me and it has helped in many ways,” Nathan says. “It has given me friends! It has given me laughs. It has given me a sense of belonging, but most of all it has given me the advice to focus on ability instead of disability, and has taught me that I can do anything.”

Watch for Nathan as he represents BC’s Easter Seals Kids at various Easter Seals events, including the 24 Hour Relay for the Kids and the Easter Seals Regatta and Festival.

Zak Madell, Easter Seals 2009 Youth Ambassador for Southern Alberta

Zak Madell, Easter Seals 2009 Youth Ambassador for Southern Alberta

Fifteen-year old Zak Madell is a remarkable young man whose viewpoint is life is 10% of what happens to you and 90% of how you react to it. Attitude is everything.

Easter Seals Alberta is proud to announce Zak as the 2009 Easter Seals Youth Ambassador for Southern Alberta.

Zak is a grade nine student from Okotoks, AB. At the age of ten, Zak developed a bacterial infection which spread throughout his system causing septic shock. His body was able to protect his brain and heart, but other organs suffered the effects of the toxins and lack of oxygen. Much of his tissue did not survive and, as a result, he required amputation of his legs and fingers. Today you can find Zak getting around in a custom-made wheelchair.

Zak attended Easter Seals Camp Horizon in 2008. His favorite activities at camp included the giant swing and the zip line. Zak also enjoyed playing power hockey with friends and camp counsellors. “When I’m at camp, I get to do things I normally would not get a chance to do. I get to meet new friends and try new things,” said Zak.

Zak has a passion for community involvement. His wish is to see more accessible sporting events, entertainment and recreation facilities for people with disabilities. His dream is to be able to one day walk on prosthetics and to attend university to get a science degree. He would also very much like to return to camp one day as a camp counsellor.

As a practicing musician, Zak can play the trombone and is also learning to play the electric guitar.

Kyle Zieger, Easter Seals 2009 Youth Ambassador for Northern Alberta

Kyle Zieger, Easter Seals 2009 Youth Ambassador for Northern Alberta

Easter Seals Alberta is proud to announce twelve-year-old Kyle Zieger as the 2009 Easter Seals Youth Ambassador for Northern Alberta.

This year, Kyle was recognized in his community and received a Citizen Award for his positive attitude.

Kyle was diagnosed with Duchene Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) at the age of five. DMD is a muscular disease that affects the body in many different ways. In Kyle’s case, he has limited strength and mobility. Kyle walks in small distances to help maintain his strength, but uses his power wheelchair for most of his daily needs.

In 2008, Easter Seals financially supported the conversion of an accessible vehicle to accommodate Kyle’s power wheelchair. The conversion costs were approximately $35,000, not including the initial costs of purchasing the new vehicle.

“The contribution that Easter Seals made has made all the difference,” says Kyle’s mother Donna. “It has opened up new doors to new environments for Kyle and our family.”

The Zieger family was able to visit Johnston Canyon in Jasper National Park for the first time. Now Kyle can keep up with his friends in activities and has the confidence to move around and go places like never before.

Kyle has a great sense of humour and a positive and indomitable spirit. In his spare time Kyle likes drawing and writing short action-hero fiction stories. He also enjoys doing research projects on animals and wildlife. Kyle hopes to one day be an animal researcher.

Jennifer Lozinski, Regina Easter Seals Ambassador.

Jennifer Lozinksi, Regina Easter Seals Ambassador

Fourteen-year-old Jennifer Lozinski is the Regina Easter Seals Ambassador. Jennifer has cerebral palsy and sometimes uses a walker or wheelchair to get around. Some of Jennifer’s interests include spending time on Facebook, listening to her favourite artists such as Avril Lavigne and Hedley, and hanging out with family, especially her twin sister Michelle and both her grandmothers.

Jennifer knows first hand that Easter Seals programs help to develop self-confidence and independence for children with disabilities. “Jennifer has an awesome sense of humour,” says her father, Dave. While at Camp Easter Seal, Jennifer enjoys boating and shopping in the town of Watrous. She has also made many friends at Camp.

Rupan Sambasivam, Saskatoon Easter Seals Ambassador

Rupan Sambasivam, Saskatoon Easter Seals Ambassador.

Rupan Sambasivam is the Saskatoon Easter Seals Ambassador. He is an active twelve-year-old boy with cerebral palsy. He participates in activities both during and after school. Rupan was named School Safety Patroller of the Year at Forest Grove School for the 2007/2008 year. He is a sports enthusiast; in particular, Rupan is a big fan of the Saskatchewan Roughriders. He has also travelled to Australia, Norway, France, and the Caribbean with his family.

At Camp Easter Seal, Rupan enjoys the activities at the Recreation Centre and thinks the camp counsellors are great. “Kids with disabilities are just like all kids – they like to play, learn new things and hang out with friends. That’s what it’s like at Camp Easter Seal.”

Easter Seals Ambassadors have a very important role with Easter Seals Saskatchewan. Throughout the year, our ambassadors represent children with disabilities at Easter Seals fund raising events within the province. Jennifer and Rupan each exemplify that special Easter Seals spirit – ‘the focus on ability, not disability’. Each one has participated in and benefitted from the programs offered by Easter Seals Saskatchewan: Camp Easter Seal, Summer Fun, and Adaptive Technology Services.