Announcements
Abilities Magazine
| September 28th, 2004 | |
The ForumOntario March Of DimesFall 1997. Issue 32: p. 43 ForumConductive Education is a pedagogical process that involves a holistic approach to rehabilitation and education of children and adults with neuromotor disabilities. Programs in Canada and the western world are new; however, Conductive Education programs have been practised in eastern European countries for decades. As the interest in Conductive Education increases throughout the world, Canadians are seeking to adapt Conductive Education to our cultural and educational context and to align it with our social and health service system. Canadian conductors are non-existent, and foreign conductors are often difficult to recruit and sustain in a Canadian setting. Canadian students who develop Conductive Education skills and enter the profession will provide a significant resource as programs expand and are recognized from province to province. The opportunity to enter a new and emerging field of professional practice attracts students with an interest in education, health or social services and physio- or occupational therapy, as well as creative arts. Students must be highly motivated, be interested in alternative education methodologies and have a keen interest in independence for persons with physical disabilities. Ontario March of Dimes is pleased to announce a new opportunity for Canadian students -- the Dr. Maxwell M. Yan Memorial Scholarship Fund in Conductive Education. In 1990, while vacationing in Budapest, Hungary, with his wife, Betty, Dr. Maxwell Menuhin Yan became aware of a unique rehabilitation/educational centre, the Pet� Institute. In conversation with families from Israel and England, the Yans determined that Conductive Education had much to offer children with significant disabilities, including their grandson, Dariush, who had been born in 1986 with spina bifida. They carried a great deal of information and enthusiasm back to Canada and shared their excitement with Ontario March of Dimes. Max and Betty s determination to investigate the benefits of Conductive Education never wavered. Together, they contributed time and resources to develop the 1993 conference, "Discover Conductive Education," an exploration of the Hungarian system for teaching children and adults with motor disorders. The conference, sponsored by Ontario March of Dimes, was the first of its kind in Canada. Max impressed those who met him with his boundless energy, devotion to his family and dedication to volunteerism. Bringing Conductive Education to Canada was his final initiative. On behalf of Max�s grandson and all children and adults with disabilities, Betty Yan has established this fund, through Ontario March of Dimes, to bring Conductive Education skills to Canada. The Dr. Maxwell Yan Memorial Scholarship Fund will be made available to assist Canadian students who wish to pursue a professional career in Conductive Education at any of the recognized universities providing accredited Conductor programs. Students must qualify and be accepted into the Conductor program before funding can be approved. The scholarship will be applied to registration fees only and is dependent on fund availability and the student s maintenance of academic standards. Scholarship holders will be requested to sign a commitment to return to Canada to work for two years as Conductors in Ontario March of Dimes-supported programs. Ontario March of Dimes is also requesting your generous contribution now to assist in the growth of this fund. Contributions can be made to: Dr. Maxwell Yan Memorial Scholarship Fund, Ontario March of Dimes, Conductive Education Clearinghouse, 10 Overlea Blvd., Toronto, Ontario, M4H 1A4. Funds will be administered through the Endowment Fund of Ontario March of Dimes. All gifts are receiptable for income tax purposes. We anticipate that sufficient funds will be generated to award the first scholarship by the fall of 1998. Information about Conductor Training Programs is available through Ontario March of Dimes, Conductive Education Clearinghouse, tel.: (416) 425-3463, ext. 213, or e-mail: [email protected]. ONTARIO MARCH OF DIMES 10 OVERLEA BLVD. TORONTO, ON M4H 1A4 TEL: (416) 425-3463 FAX: (416) 425-1920 E-MAIL: [email protected] WEBSITE: http://www.omod.org
| |
