Announcements
Abilities Magazine
Health
| November 21st, 2004 | |
Health ArticlesSupport For IndependenceTransamerica Life Canada Announces Partnershipby Susan SaundercookTransamerica Life Canada recently announced a new partnership to support Ontario March of Dimes� Conductive Education(r) program. Through its In the Spirit of Hope charitable giving program, Transamerica Life Canada supports charities and organizations with an emphasis on health and welfare. Their three-year commitment to Ontario March of Dimes (OMOD), representing the largest corporate contribution in OMOD�s 51-year history, is an ideal way to promote the health and vitality of people with physical disabilities - by improving mobility and independence. Conductive Education(r) is a learning system that merges elements of education and rehabilitation. It assists children and adults with neuro-motor disabilities to become more self-confident and independent. Specially trained teachers called Conductors motivate students to learn the skills needed to find their own solutions to the practical problems of daily living. Conductor training was identified as the most significant hurdle to the development of Conductive Education(r) in Canada. The Transamerica Life partnership will help to accelerate the growth of a Canadian base of trained Conductors. "This exciting partnership will initiate the first step towards bringing the Conductive Education program to more Canadians," said Andria Spindel, President and CEO, Ontario March of Dimes. "We are honoured to be the major recipient of Transamerica Life�s generous In the Spirit of Hope program. Transamerica Life Canada will help build the foundation of what will become a rapidly emerging profession in Canada and the United States. Together we can make this major breakthrough in education and rehabilitation available to more people with physical disabilities." A majority of funds from the In the Spirit of Hope charitable giving program are generated from the Transamerica Life Canada Drive for Life golf tournament, which takes place this year on August 13 at Angus Glen�s North and South courses. Celebrities participating include Catriona LeMay Doan, Ken Shaw and Michael Burgess, who will help add to the excitement in reaching the $400,000 goal. "We are delighted to be partnering with Ontario March of Dimes, a truly visionary charitable organization that has been delivering essential and innovative services for over 50 years," said Karen Gavan, Executive President and CFO of Transamerica Life Canada. "Ontario March of Dimes has always remained focused on championing independence and building greater self-esteem for people with physical disabilities." 2002 JONAS SALK AWARD WINNER Dr. Geoffrey Fernie received the Jonas Salk Award at Ontario March of Dimes� recent Paul Martin Sr. Society 2002 Dinner. The $10,000 prize, which is awarded annually, recognizes a lifetime of outstanding contributions to basic biomedical research. It is presented to a Canadian scientist who has made a new or significant contribution to science or medicine in the alleviation or prevention of a disabling condition. Dr. Fernie has a long and distinguished career in bioengineering directed at the alleviation of disabling conditions. The holder of patents for a number of assistive devices, Dr. Fernie is a leader in conceiving and producing products designed to provide more independence to adults with physical disabilities. | |
