The Citizen, 2012-06-07, Page 10PAGE 10. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JUNE 7, 2012.Black awarded at conference, featured on OWNJennifer Black had a big month of
May as the Auburn-area mother of
three was not only featured on a
documentary about life-changing
moments on the Oprah Winfrey
Network (OWN) but was also one
recipient of the Spirit of Inclusive
Community of the Year Award at the
Canadian Down Syndrome
Conference on May 20.
“It was a big honour,” Jennifer
said. “Especially when I realized
how big the event is.”
She said that she had anticipated
that there would be several awards
given out across the country but, as it
turned out, she was one of a select
few recognized.
Her nomination, put forward by
her son Gracin after a suggestion
from her local Down Syndrome
support group, resulted in her
receiving the award.
“They gave it to me because of
how outgoing Gracin and I are,” she
said. “We started talking with
groups, going to churches and
schools and just generally promoting
inclusion.”
Earlier in the month Jennifer had
appeared on the Oprah Winfrey
Network (OWN) to talk about how
the birth of her daughter Amiera,
who has Down Syndrome, was a
turning point for her life.
“The interview wasn’t exactly
what I thought it was going to be or
what I wanted it to be,” she said. “I
had applied for the 140 Conference
(a Twitter-themed conference) in
Toronto at the end of April and
found out that OWN was looking for
people with stories to tell. I changed
my submission a bit and sent it off.”
Jennifer got the news that her story
had been accepted while on a trip out
of province and, on Mother’s Day,
returned to tell her story to
representatives of the network which
is owned by Corus Entertainment.“It wasn’t what I expected, but itwasn’t bad,” she said. “I expected totalk more about Amiera’s life but
they wanted to focus on her birth and
the time immediately after. I don’t
know if they thought it was an
instant change when we found out,
but I tried to direct the answers more
to the positive feelings that have
come from growing and learning
with Amiera.”
Jennifer also said that Amiera’s
presence on the couch beside her
was distracting as she tried to answer
the questions, but she feels she
responded to the story well.
“My goal on the documentary and
in life is to show people that we are
a normal family,” she said. “Down
Syndrome isn’t a label we use, we’re
not concerned with that. For us it’s
about Amiera, Gracin and Sadie and
how we deal with each other.”
She said she hopes that by
spreading the word, whether it be
through Twitter or opportunities like
the OWN spot, she can help families
and parents see the possibilities with
their children instead of the fear.
“There are so many parents who
hear bad medical stories out there,”
she said. “We want them to see that
there is value in every life before
they see the negative.”
Both Jennifer and her husband
Wayne are concerned with existing
testing procedures for Down
Syndrome and other chromosomal
abnormalities or fetal infections and
for those coming.
“Ninety-two per cent of possible
Down Syndrome diagnoses are still
aborted,” Wayne said. “With new
testing it could raise to 100 per
cent.”
Jennifer explained that the current
test, which looks at amniotic fluids,
comes with inherit risks that can
cause miscarriage and also said that
people may be aborting healthy
babies since the test can provide
false negatives.
She continued on to say that she
feels that the test doesn’t matter
anyways, Down Syndrome is a
naturally-occurring event and that
makes it as normal as other
differences between people.
“It’s not caused by alcohol or
radiation, it just happens,” she said.
“It’s the same as having different eye
colours or varying heights. Naturally
occurring literally means something
that can normally happen and this isnormal.”She said that aborting a childbased on gender would be
considered barbaric and that the
same should be said of children who
could potentially have Down
Syndrome.
A lot of the problems that face
those with Down Syndrome could be
a result of antiquated information.
“This isn’t like it was in the past,”
she said. “We want people to see
these kids have value and
capabilities.” she said.
“This isn’t like the 1960s when
people were told they couldn’t eat or
walk or take care of themselves.
People need to see that they are
capable and that it’s not rare for
someone with Down Syndrome to
be able to take care of themselves.
Wayne said that people are
constantly impressed with what their
daughter Amiera can do because of
Down Syndrome but that they
shouldn’t be because that means
they expect her to not be able to do
it.
“They see her doing things like
dancing or playing tee-ball and
soccer and she acts like any other
six-year-old,” he said. “People are
surprised because, previously,
people with Down Syndrome
weren’t given the opportunity to do
those kinds of activities. We look at
her as we look at all our children, we
treat them the same and encourage
them.”
Jennifer agreed, stating that
Amiera is just “one of the kids”,
especially at her school, St. Mary’s
Catholic School in Goderich.
“She receives the support she
needs from the school and she is
treated like any other student,” she
said. “She’s not segregated, she
attends class and her teachers and
fellow students are including her.”
Jennifer’s experience comes from
raising her three children including
Amiera who was born with Down
Syndrome. Since then her and
Gracin have made a habit of visiting
locations to explain to people that
life isn’t over when a child is born
with Down Syndrome.
Make your family part of history
In the July 26 issue, prior to the homecoming celebrations from
July 27-29, The Citizen will be publishing a special
commemorative edition with an extra 1,000 copies. Included will
be pages of family histories. You can tell your family’s history for
as little as $63 for one-eighth of a page (with enough space for a
brief synopsis and small photo of someone from your family’s
history). Or by purchasing a one-quarter page, for $125 or one-
half page for $250, you can give a more complete history.
Just bring in your family story and photograph(s). We’ll quickly
scan your precious photos and return them to you.
Tell your family’s history as part of
The Citizen’s salute to Brussels’ 140th anniversary.
Deadline for submission is Friday, July 13.
(These rates apply to family histories only.)
Awarded
For her work in organizing and working with other families
dealing with Down Syndrome, Auburn-area resident
Jennifer Black was recognized at the Canadian Down
Syndrome Conference in Toronto, held May 18-20. Black
has also been interviewed for a documentary about life-
changing moments by the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN).
(Denny Scott photo)
By Denny ScottThe Citizen
Several costs caught the eye of
Councillor Bernie Bailey during
North Huron Township Council’s
May 22 meeting.
Bailey, who has in the past
reviewed the township’s ledger
extensively following his promise to
try and lower expenses, had several
questions regarding costs he sought
elaboration on.
The most important expense,
according to Bailey, was a nearly
$3,000 expense incurred by the Fire
Department of North Huron to have
its ladders weight-tested.
Bailey asked what the $3,000 test
involved and Acting Fire Chief Keith
Hodgkinson explained weights were
put on the ladders to test how long
they could hold them. The test is a
necessary annual event to make sure
the equipment is in working order
before firefighters put their lives on
it he said.
“This is part of our effort to be 85
per cent compliant in our fire
department,” Bailey said. “Let
anyone who wonders why fire
protection is so expensive see these
costs and know this is the cost of
being compliant.”
Another expense that caused
Bailey to raise an eyebrow was the
expense of swimming lesson badges
and booklets which cost $2,000.
Bailey didn’t understand how the
cost could be so high but Director of
Recreation and Facilities Pat
Newson explained the costs were
recouped through the swimming
lesson programs held at the North
Huron Wescast Community
Complex in Wingham.
He was also puzzled as to the
approximately $1,700 being spent
on pens as he recalled another order
of pens was made recently by the
township that cost approximately
$1,000. Bailey felt the cost of the
new purchase was higher but
Newson explained the first order was
to be provided in welcome bags at
the Blyth Campground.
The expense was incurred by
Community Development Co-
ordinator Connie Goodall who
wasn’t present at the meeting to
explain it, so Bailey asked to have
the issue cleared up.
Huron County is seeing more cases than usual of
pertussis in all age groups. Parents, grandparents,
child care providers, anyone with children in their
life – get your FREE pertussis booster shot at a
special Huron County Health Unit Clinic. Pertussis is
particularly dangerous for young children.
Call to make an appointment: 1-877-837-6143
Pertussis can spread very easily. Most cases begin with symptoms
similar to a cold: runny nose, congestion, mild cough, sneezing
or a fever. The cough will become worse after about a week
and can last for many weeks. During a coughing spell
you may hear a “whooping” sound in younger
children. Older children and adults may have
coughing spells that lead to vomiting.
Clinton: Tues., June 12: 12 noon – 3:45 p.m. Tues., June 26: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Wingham:
Tues., June 19: 12 noon – 2:45 p.m.
STOPSTOP
the Spread of Pertussisthe Spread of Pertussis
(Whooping Cough)
in Huron Countyin Huron County
BUY? SELL?
TRY CLASSIFIED
Bailey questions fire costs
ON $6.00 THURSDAYS
Drop into either of our offices any
Thursday with your word classified
(maximum 20 words) and pay only
$6.00 + HST (paid in advance).
That’s $1.00 off regular rates.
The Citizen