The Citizen, 2003-11-19, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2003.
Family wants officer’s act of kindness known
By Bonnie Gropp
Citizen editor
Police officers are often called
upon to save a life, not generally to
enhance one that's ending.
The Citizen received a letter from
a Newfoundland man last week,
regarding his grandson and the
special contribution made by one of
Huron County’s own people in blue
to enrich the boy’s life during his
final days.
Const. Lincoln Dinning
encountered the father of Donald
Michael Pardy in Kitchener. Donald
Sr., was there from Newfoundland
to be with his son who was a patient
at Grand River Hospital.
The 14-year-old had been
diagnosed 16 months before with
cancer, which had begun in his leg.
then spread to his lungs and
brain.
According to the boy’s stepfather
Ron Griffin of Kitchener. Donald
was fascinated by police officers.
"He spoke about them a lot and we
Letter to the editor
Writer says give to ehildren
THE EDITOR,
Nov. 20 is Universal Children’s
Day to remind us of the United
Nations convention on the Rights of
the Child When this Convention was
declared in 1989, governments could
not wait to shout their support for
children s rights. In our federal
parliament, all parties supported a
motion to eradicate child poverty in
Canada within I0 years.
Today, you barely hear a whisper on
a child’s behalf. Yet, if anything,
children are worse off then they were
in 1989.According to David Suzuki.
10 million children under the age of
MADD plans vigil
THE EDITOR,
On Friday, Nov. 21 the
Huron/Bruce Chapter of Mother’s
Against Drunk Driving (MADD
Canada) will be hosting the Lighting
of the Angel Tree and Candlelight
Vigil. This event will take place on
the Square in Goderich at 7
p.m.
MADD Canada volunteers and
GDC1 OSA1D students will be
selling doves that can be placed on
always sort of thought when he got
older he might become one.”
Meeting Const. Dinning. Donald's
father mentioned his son’s interest
and wondered if the officer might
pay him a visit. Griffin was in the
hospital one day when Const.
Dinning stopped by.
“He spent a fair amount of time
with him answering questions.
Donald got to wear his hat and even
joked with the officer about whether
he minded being called a cop. Const.
Dinning said, no that it stands for
constable on patrol."
Noting that the youth passed away
not many days after this visit.
Griffin said. “(The officer) certainly
boosted his spirit. He was a fantastic
gentleman, really super.’
Huron OPP Sr. Const. Don
Shropshall was not surprised to hear
this story regarding his colleague.
“Line is very involved in
humanitarian work. This is the type
of man he is and that is just the type
of thing he would do."
Dinning isn’t the only hero in this
five die every year mostly from
preventable illnesses. -Amnesty
international reports that. “Today....
entire generations are growing up
without ever knowing what it feels
like to be safe... access to adequate
food, clean water, education, health
care, or security remains non
existent.”
In Africa the growing number of
orphans threatens any chance of
stable government, security, and
economic growth in that tragic
continent. Homeless children in
Brazil are murdered by police with
impunity.
the Angel Tree, as well as candles,
that will be lit in remembrance of a
victim of an impaired driving crash
or in memory of a loved one.
The Huron/Bruce Chapter invites
all members of the community to
participate in the Lighting of the
Angel Tree and Candlelight Vigil of
Remembrance and Hope.
Laurie Dinning
President Huron/Bruce Chapter
of MADD Canada.
story, however. Prior to his death
Donald and his family agreed that
his organs would be donated.
Because of the seriousness of his
illness, as it turned out only the eyes
could be used.
A letter received by the family
form the Eye Bank of Canada, reads
“I would like to let you know the
wondrous outcome that came from
Donald's donation. A few days after
your dear son passed away, his eyes
allowed two recipients to undergo
sight-restoring corneal transplants. “
As well Donald's sclera shells
were valuable in medical research
by helping in the search for cures for
various childhood eye diseases, such
as juvenile glaucoma and retina
cancers.
In his letter, Donald’s grandfather
spoke of the importance of having
parents consider donating organs of
dying children.
But his strongest praise went to a
man whose duty it is to protect and
serve, and who delivered it in an
unforgettable way.
And what happened to Canada’s
bold promise to wipe out child
poverty by 2000? According to Stats
Camthere were 174,000 children in
Toronto alone still living in poverty in
2000. The poor have no champions in
the corridors of power be they
business or political so must be
satisfied with bits and pieces.
As we enter the annual orgy of
feasting and shopping to excess, we
might better choose to give the gift of
life and hope to those whose lives are
threatened and have no hope. In the
name of our children, grandchildren,
family member or friend give a
membership in Amnesty International
and use the monthly material for the
whole family to learn of another
world and, just perhaps, begin to
teach our children a way of life
superior to blatant consumerism.
If Amnesty is not your choice, there
is Free the Children started by a
Canadian teenager or World Vision
Canada. For Canadian children, there
is Covenant House helping street
children in Toronto.
Fred Kirby,
Amnesty International.
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“I believe.... residents of your area
and perhaps your province, should
be made aware of the kindness, the
thoughtfulness and the dedication of
officer Dinning. This’man made a
big difference in the life of a dying
Special time
Huron OPP Const. Line Dinning spent some time with
Donald Michael Pardy, a patient at Grand River Hospital in
Kitchener. The 14-year-old’s fascination with police officers
was brought to Dinning’s attention by the boy’s father. This
photo was taken days before the cancer he had been
fighting, claimed Pardy’s life. (Photosubmitted)
Students praise Caldwell
Continued from page 1
nomination said Caldwell’s teaching
style is creative
Recognition
and incorporates
hands-on learning
and practical real
world experiences
while providing a
classroom
atmosphere that is
relaxed and where
“responses and
personal opinions
can easily come
out.”
Another student
boy and-his family.”
"... Const. Dinning should be
recognized for his humanity toward
another human being.”
Donald Michael Pardy passed
away Oct. 2, 2002.
wrote “Wayne seems to always go
above and beyond his duties as a
professor. He is flexible and makes
time to hear everyone’s point of
view and continually seeks out new
and creative ways for us to learn. He
puts in a great deal of time
organizing field trips and gives us
the hands-on experience and
increases our learning curve. Overall
Wayne deserves this award more
than any other professor I have had
in both my graduate and
undergraduate degrees here in
Guelph.”
Enjoy a sausage
and beverage
Thursday night from 6-9 pm
Thurs., Fri. & Sat.
November 20, 21, 22
Butter sr°ib.
With every ’25. purchase