Local Rotarians step up once again

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Local Rotarians help organize STEPS

(L) Erin Zorzi, Bruce Waechter, Jenny Amy, Andrea LaBlance, Angela Richard, Arlene Letheran & Tony Sheard

Seated is the guest of honour, Eugenie

Angela Richard and her daughter are about to set off for yet another five week stay at Ability Camp.

Eugenie has cerebral palsy in addition to brain seizures but the times that she and her mother have spent at the special 'Conductive Education, camp have made a dramatic difference in her overall ability.

Eugenie with her grandmother, Fran Richard

The goal of the program is to help children with cerebral palsy, spina bifida and other motor challenges and has been expanded to help adults with conditions arising from stroke and MS.

Conductive Education was developed at the Petö Institute in Hungary over 40 years ago and has now been widely established in Hungary, United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Germany, Australia, Israel, and others.

Conductive education is a unique system of teaching children with motor disorders, such as cerebral palsy and spina bifida.  It has been designed to improve motor skills and help individuals become as independent as possible.  While not a cure, it is a method of exercises and education that are broken down into basic functional movements. The exercises are performed intensively five hours per day for five days a week for five weeks, in small groups that promotes interaction and fun.

"Unfortunately," says Richard, "Conductive Education (CE) is not a recognized therapy in Canada despite the proven benefits and the fact that CE therapists are being trained in the U.K. and the United States where there are several pilot projects using CE."

When Richard and daughter Eugenie, first began attending the CE ability camp, Eugenie was unable to do small things such as sit upright or hold eating utensils or cups.  Today, she is able to do both in addition to being able to stand with assistance and her mother credits her improved abilities to the Conductive Education program at the ability camp.

Thank you to all of you who have helped realize the potential Eugenie has to become more independent. She is a remarkable little girl and is so excited at the chance of continuing her footsteps on her path to be the best that she can be –

Rotarians Bruce Waechter(L) and Tony Sheard(R) presented $1,000 donation to Eugenie and her mother Angela

"I think there are people right here in this area that would benefit greatly from this type of therapy," says Richard, "and that's why I am trying to organize a centre right here in Bruce County."

With the help of volunteers, Richard has formed the Special Therapy and Education Project of Saugeen (STEPS) , an organization that has recently applied for charitable status.  "We are looking for members and board directors who would be committed to developing a local CE centre.  We are beginning to partner with organizations, such as the Christian Horizons facility near Paisley, where we can run two five-week sessions for less money than the ability camp."

Richard is also getting the local Saugeen District Secondary School involved.  "The Family Studies class is going to be making an exercise system as a class project and the woodworking class is going to be making the very specialized furniture that is needed.  We really want this to be a community involvement project.  The school system simply cannot provide the daily therapy that is needed for these children and special needs adults."

Anyone interested in learning more about the STEPS initiative can contact Richard at:  a_richard@yahoo.com.

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Wednesday, February 03, 2010