BACK TO SCHOOL IN SEPTEMBER? ACCPAC One Hour Moto Photo Burn‘s Television Video 0 m.._. Swiss Chalet ' Trans Europe Express Harvey‘s Magicuts _ _ 1 Boxes Etc. _ (J * |â€" Katie Forrest, 8, lets out of happy yell while holding up a leg at the ‘Conductive Education‘ summer camp for physically disabled children at Oakville Trafalgar High School. With Katie is her special needs worker Krista Franke. This is Katie‘s second year at camp, and she has learned to stand. (Photo by Peter McCusker) J@pPED OAKVILLE SHODPINC CENTRE 844â€"8751 §49â€"7777 8$49â€"4710 $49â€"4490 338â€"2835 $49â€"5980 CIBC The Coâ€"Operators Bre 842â€"2350 845â€"2863 849â€"6154 ©$49â€"9934 Brummer‘s Fine B; Mardeen Specialty â€"Rico‘s Hair Design Sun Cheate Tanm BiWay In addition, there is a grab bar which can be fasâ€" tened onto the plinth, rubber rings that fit in between the slats for provide extra support for those who need it for holding, wooden dowels for holding and turning, and tiny bean bags for graspâ€" ing and tossing. An overturned chair provides a sloping ladder that can be used for grasping, stretching and pulling upwards. Gym mats on the floor are used for rolling. The children, encouraged and assisted only when necessary, were asked to lie on their stomâ€" achs, stretch their arms, and lift one leg at a time â€" all according to their varying abilities. They are being taught to grasp things, to roll over, sit up, and even stand up, while hanging onto the specially designed wooden furniture built for this camp. This furniture consists of three basic pieces for each child â€" a slatted plinth or table to lie on with slats the child can grasp, ladder backed chair to practice sitting and standing, and a stool for the child‘s worker. At this camp are eight children, ages 8 to 10, some with cerebral palsy, others with other motor disabilities. ‘Conductive Education‘ emphasizes ability Focus Editor The threesome appeared to be heading for Oakville Trafalgar High School, where a special camp for physically disabled children is in its third and final week. However, they were too old and too far advanced with their independence for this camp, yet they symbolize its ideals and goals â€" to teach physically disabled children how to become more independent, to the fullest potential of their abilities. here they were, three kids out for a walk. The first rode an oversized tricycle, the second sat in a wheelchair, and the third hung his walker onto the back of the wheelchair, to walk while pushing. By WILMA BLOKHUIS "It‘s the most basic of furniture," explains Marc WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 1994 PAGE 11 849â€"4377 $42â€"2350 $45â€"2863 $49â€"6154 $49â€"9934 844â€"8245 The Flower Place Brummer‘s Fine Bakery Mardeen Specialty Meats Deli Rico‘s Hair Design Sun Cheaters Tanning Salon Upper Oakyville Card Shop "A sort of camaraderie, peer pressure thing, develops among the kids. They try to outdo each "They learn there are things they can do for themselves, rather than always having everything done for them, constantly reinforcing their disabiliâ€" ty-†Hutchins emphasizes the program is modified to each child‘s abilities, matching all participants, by age and disability, do everything together. other!" ithout this program, physically disabled children can "lose the ability to use their muscles and the resources they have," says Hutchins, adding marked 1mprovements in muscle control have been achieved for most children in the program. For some children, it means being able to stand â€" a few have learned to walk. For others, it means sitâ€" ting up at the table to eat on their own, and drink from a cup held by two handles. Overall, it means trying new things and gaining a measure of satisâ€" faction from their newâ€"found abilities. This is called ‘rthythmic intention,‘ "relating actions to something that rthymes, or to music." explains Hutchins. "It fixes the movements more firmly in the child‘s mind." Hutchins of Oakville, whose nineâ€"yearâ€"old daughâ€" ter, Emily, born at 29 weeks with cerebral palsy, is in the program. "But the use is this furniture is highly creative." And, after camp ends, the furniture, built to cerâ€" tain specifications, goes home with the child so the parents can continue the program. For example, says Hutchins, "holding a wooden dowel and turning it from side to side stabilizes balance, stabilizes the shoulders, and provides for a good armâ€"hand exercise." And, like most exercises, it‘s done to music and counting, which says Hutchins, helps the children focus and concentrate. (See ‘We let the kids .. .‘ page 16 "BLUE CHIP THINKING is a tradeâ€" mark of Midland Walwyn Capital Inc. *Rates as of August 16/94 subject to change and availability. 849â€"3900 849â€"1028 849â€"063 1 849â€"6612 845â€"7748 842â€"6114 849â€"1400 8$49â€"7077 849â€"6166 845â€"1400 8$42â€"5220