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The Times Advocate, 2005-05-25, Page 8Page 8 5/24/05 10:18 AM Page 1 Ts_,�rxA,�. Cros�.tisroads 8 Wednesday, May 25, 2005 Exeter Times Advocate Students hear a story of survival and determination By Scott Nixon TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF EXETER — It's the phone call Lainie Cohen will never forget. Staying at the family cottage north of Toronto in 1993, Cohen received a phone call from her daughter Alyssa, inform- ing her that Cohen's 17 - year -old son Daniel had been seriously injured in a car crash in which he was a passenger. Coming seriously close to death, undergoing brain surgery to correct a massive blood clot, Daniel spent a month in a coma and 11 months in a reha- bilitation centre, losing his memory and his abili- ty to walk and talk in the process. Twelve years later, after numerous surgeries and defying the pessimistic predictions of some med- ical professionals, Daniel, 29, has undergone a miraculous recovery and lives by himself in Toronto, working at his father's accounting office. But as his mom told an attentive audience at South Huron District High School last week, it's been a long, painful road and Daniel will never fully recover from his near fatal accident. Cohen spoke at South Huron as part of the school's Ontario Students Against Impaired Driving Week. She encouraged teens to "be aware, be smart" and make the right choices. While there was no alcohol or drug use involved in Daniel's acci- dent, the driver was dri- ving recklessly and at dangerous speeds. They both weren't wearing their seat -belt. After a court case, the driver received no jail time, but had to perform 300 hours of community service and he lost his license for three years. Five years after her son's accident, Cohen decided to write his story in a book that was even- tually published in 2003, "Crooked Smile: One Family's Journey Toward Healing." Cohen said she started out intending to write the book for Daniel, so he would know his story and realize what he and his family went through. Once she started the book, though, Cohen real- ized she was telling her own story and how Daniel's brain injury affected the entire family. In addition to Daniel's accident and rehabilita- tion being a traumatic event for his parents, his siblings, Alyssa and Jonathan eventually suc- cumbed to the stress placed on the family. At 14, Jonathan was caught with a joint. Alyssa, a student at t h e University of Western Ontario, eventually suffered a physical collapse and ended up in a wheelchair. She later recovered. "I had two kids in wheelchairs at the same time," Cohen says. Through all this, Cohen also had to deal with the death of her father. An educator and psy- chological consultant based in Toronto with her husband Joel, Cohen has travelled across the coun- try speaking at high schools, universities, hos- pitals and rehab centres about her family's story. Daniel wasn't able to follow simple commands, such as opening his hands or closing his eyes, until his fifth week in the hos- pital. Three months after his accident, he was still unable to sit up, walk or talk. Slowly, with much determination, Daniel began to show progress. He spent his 18th birth- day in the hospital, sur- rounded by his friends who visited to sing "Happy Birthday." In fact, Cohen credits the excel- lent support of his friends as one of the keys to Daniel's improvement. Cohen says it took eight months for Daniel to develop any type of mem- ory. The entire time he was in the hospital, she says he didn't know where he was. At one point, a neurosurgeon predicted Daniel would never walk, talk or recog- nize anyone again, some- thing Daniel would prove false. "Thank God that doctor was wrong," Cohen says. One tool used to help Daniel develop his memo- ry and spatial recognition was playing games like Checkers with him. "We learned to be cre- ative to reach and con- nect with him," Cohen says. One of the diffi- cult mat- ters fami- lies have to deal with is the change in personality suffered by someone with a brain injury. There are mood swings, temper tantrums and jealousy. Three years after his accident, Daniel had improved to the point where he was able to water ski, even though he was told he would never be able to walk again. "He was determined," his mom says. Five years ago, when Alyssa got married, Daniel danced at his sis- ter's wedding without a cane. Today, Cohen says Daniel is living "very suc- cessfully" on his own, doing simple bookkeeping for his father. "He's shown incredible courage, commitment and perseverance long after many people would have given up," Cohen says, reminding students to remember the everyday struggles Daniel has to go through whenever they feel overburdened by school work. "Daniel doesn't get a break," she says, but adds he never complains, despite the fact he will never fully recover. While speaking in front of audiences was some- thing Cohen feared at "He's shown incredible courage, commitment and perseverance long after many people would have given up." — LAINIE COHEN ON HER SON'S RECOVERY AFTER A SERIOUS BRAIN INJURY Lainie Cohen spoke at South Huron District High School last week, encouraging students to make wise and safe choices in their lives. Cohen wrote "Crooked Smile: One Family's Journey Toward Healing," after her son Daniel suffered a seri- ous brain injury in a car crash. (photo/Scott Nixon) first, she says it's getting easier. And if she can change the lives of some of the students she speaks to and "keep the next Daniel from happening," it's worth it. Cohen encourages par- ents and students to visit the "I Promise Program," at www.ipromisepro- gram.com. "I Promise" is a free, safe driving initia- tive developed for families with new young drivers. It involves a parent -youth safe driving contract and a rear window sign. For more information on Cohen's book, visit www.crookedsmile.org. All of her proceeds go to the Bloorview MacMillan Children's Foundation. Catholic school board prepares for next year's calendar By Stew Slater SPECIAL TO THE TIMES -ADVOCATE DUBLIN — Barring unforeseen events before September, all but one elementary principal placement has been set for the 2005-06 calendar of the Huron -Perth Catholic District School Board. But there will be some significant changes. At a regular meeting April 25, trustees approved the transfer of one principal into a coordinator position at the board's Dublin head office, the transfer of two principals from one site to another, the assumption of dual - school duties by a principal, and — somewhat reluctantly — the impending resignation of well-respected principal Ann Sutton."We certainly are sorry to see (Sutton) leaving us, but we wish her all the best in her new endeav- ours," said board chair Bernard Murray. "We have been blessed, and we realize we have to share the wealth." Sutton, who serves as principal at both St. Columban and St. Patrick's in Dublin, will not return in September. She'll be replaced by current Our Lady of Mount Carmel principal Judy Merkel. This leaves Mount Carmel as the only elementary facility in the board with- out a principal placement for 2005-06, although the process is now underway to fill the position. Further west and north, St. James in Seaforth will lose its principal, Donna Gregus, to the board's administrative office. She'll be replaced by Mary Brown, currently at Sacred Heart in Wingham. Nancy Barrett, currently principal at St. Joseph's in Kingsbridge, will assume leadership duties for both St. Joseph's and Sacred Heart. It's likely a full-time vice-principal would be hired to handle administra- tive duties at St. Joseph's, thereby freeing Barrett to spend more time in Wingham.