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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 2014-06-04, Page 22 Lucknow Sentinel • Wednesday, June 4,2014 National Access Awareness Week % Paralympian Victoria Nolan Speaks at EE. Madill Valerie Gillies Editor/Lucknow Sentinel Huron County Accessi- bility Advisory Committee (HCAAC) and the Avon Maitland School Board joined together in hosting a National Access Aware- ness Week event at F. E. Madill Secondary School on May 28, 2014. Sandra Thompson, Accessibility Coordinator for Huron County, stated "It is the HCAAC's vision to inform and inspire people from across Huron County on making Huron Couty accessible for people of all abilities. The year the com- mittee added the goal of working closer with our School board and our youth and are over the top with excitement with the opportunity to be co -hosts with the school board." Lorie Falconer, a mem- ber of HCAAC acted as Master of Ceremonies. She is "thrilled to have the opportunity to talk to the youth because they will be the ones who raise awareness." There were two annual awards presented by the HCAAC. Avon Maitland School Board was recognized in going above and beyond recommendations while designing and building the new Maitland Valley Public School. Adaptations were not only for mobility issues, but extended to vis- ual cueing, as well. When accepting the award on behalf of the Board, Alice McDowell was excited to announce that there will be even more work done to make the playground fully accessible, as well. Queen's Bakery was rec- ognized as a community business that has done extensive renovations in preparation for opening their business to make it accessible for all. Anne Elliott and Les Cook accepted the award. Guest speaker gold medal -winning paralym- pic rowing champion Vic- toria Nolan began losing her vision at the age of 18. When her second child was born she lost the last of her vision. She told of her journey from time of diagnosis through to win- ning the medal. Like many who must live with challenges, Nolan was relieved when she was first diagnosed. She finally knew why she had problems and was thrilled that she would be eligible to use a white cane that would make her disability visible to others, believing that would auto- matically make people more sympathetic to her iMMMMMMMMMMMMML I w ‘ \ E 3 TWINE SEASON 1 IS HERE! 3 8 4,-,..- 8 ROUND „le:. immoil 1 - 3 8 , , v 0 - iey & SQUARE BALERS 3 8 m meet your baling needs, we have: q \ I • Quality Sisal & Plastic Twine 3 8 • Net Wrap • Silage Wrap 3 8 BEFORE YOU BUY GIVE US A TRY a C 8 Complete line of ShurGain products 3 8 qi at 3 Li)SHUR•GRIN q g L g FEEDS 3 h 1-800-665-5675 DUNGANNON 519-529-7951 3 I FAX 519-529-3341 WALTON 519-887-6023 3 \ WWWWWWWWWWWWWI challenges and therefore help her more. It did not take long before this belief was crushed. Nolan revealed that the hardest part about living with challenges of any kind, whether they are physical, mental or just being a member of society is dealing with fears and weaknesses. She related many stories of when she had to find the strength and confidence from within to meet these chal- lenges. Facing the fears and weaknesses developed inner strength. However, she advised that asking for help is not a sign of weak- ness as if you want to win at anything, whether in everyday life or as an ath- lete in world class compe- tition, you cannot do it alone. You need to find those you can depend on Nolan summed up her presentation by saying this had been her journey from being embarrassed at who she was to being cele- brated by people for who she was. She reminded all that Paralympics means parallel with the Olympics, therefore the athletes in both are equals. They both need the same strength and dedication to become champions. Her challenge to the students was to "Keep getting up, be strong and do something great." Nolan's daughter Ceili on being asked what she learned from the presenta- tion replied, "I didn't know some of the stories." She was referring to some of the challenges faced by her mother when people did not understand and made things more difficult or even dangerous. She continued, "I wish I had been there then at this age so I could be there to say something." Nolan's husband Eamonn was very impressed by the audience at F. E. Madill Secondary School. He said it seems to be a great school and a great community, adding "it was better than when we met Prince Charles." Valerie Gillies Students at F. E. Madill Secondary School gather to talk to the guest speaker, paralympic rowing champion Victoria Nolan (seated with the Canada flag on her jacket) with the opportunity to see her book at the National Access Awareness Week event on May 28, 2014. Saturday, June 7, 2014 Family & friends are invited to a STAG AND DOE for Jenna Van Osch & Jeff Johnston at The Lucknow Arena Music by DJ Age of Majority is required Lunch Provided 8 p.m. - 1 a.m. Tickets $5 (available from the wedding party t or at the door) Bus information: Bus #1 Leaving Goderich (Walmart) 9 p.m., Auburn (Sticker's Restaurant) 9:15 p.m. Dungannon Ball Diamond 9:30 p.m. Bus #2 Leaving Port Albert (Church) 9 p.m., Kingsbridge Church 9:15 p.m. and Briaq & Helen VanOsch's residence 9:30 For more information on busing & tickets, please call 519-395-3690 Valerie Gillies Gold medal winning paralympian rower Victoria Nolan poses with her husband Eamonn, daughter Ceili and guide dog Allan after speaking to the students of F. E. Madill Secondary School at the National Access Awareness Week event on May 28, 2014. Lucknow 4-H Beef Club Fundraiser Breakfast at ate Mary's Family Restaurant June 7th, 2014 8 AM -12 PM Come out and support our local, 4-H members.