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4- The Oakville Beaver, Friday August 4, 2006 www.oakvillebeaver.com The benefits of independent living By Melanie Cummings SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER result, since age four. For the past three years a trained yellow Labrador Life doesn't come with guide dog named Boston too many trial runs but for travels with her too. 14 disabled youths the past ILP aims to help distwo weeks living in the abled youth from Halton Sheridan College campus and Peel regions make residence did just that. the transition to adultFrom setting career hood. Through goal setgoals to buying groceries, ting, making choices and there is little that isn't challearning responsibility lenging for students with they are given an oppordifficulty walking, speaking tunity to experience the and learning. realities of life on one's Recently, family, friends own in a learning, safe and support workers and supported atmoscheered the accomplishphere. ments of the 14 students In the two week prowho are part of the gram they've taken on Independent Learning LIESA KORTMANN / OAKVILLE BEAVER mundane chores such as Program (ILP) at Erinoak, cooking and cleaning and Serving Young People with TAKING PART: Melissa Cromwell from Wingham, Ontario, also been exposed to new Physical Disabilities. who participates in Erinoaks' Independent Living Program (ILP) adventures such as sailIn the time Tracey takes part in the open house that included program sponsors, ing and visiting Toronto Thompson, 17, spent at Milton Chapter Harley Owners Group -- and some Harleys. tourist spots. Sheridan, she has learned "ILP is a stepping how to travel in her wheelchair using public transit and stone for the rest of these students lives," said Erinoak's to budget her money. occupational therapist Christy Taberner. "I'm not ready to leave home yet, but I needed to Bob McKay is testament to the success of the prolearn to get around on my own safely and handle spend- gram. He graduated from the first one run in 2002. ing well," said the Mississauga resident. Now, in his time off from studying third year criminoloShe was born with multi-congenital arthrogryposis, gy at York University, he returns to the Sheridan resiwhich means her joints are stiff and her muscles and dency as a youth support worker. bones don't compensate movement well, and tend to McKay is living the life Jake Blomfield, 17 plans to dislocate and break. She has been in a wheelchair, as a LIESA KORTMANN / OAKVILLE BEAVER GETTING INVOLVED: Ryan Bennett, 17, sits on one of the Harleys at the Erinoak Open House. Bennett has been in Erinoak's Independent Living Program (IPL) program all of his life. The open house included 50 bikers from sponsor, Milton Chapter Harley Owners Group, stories about the teens involved in the program and a video of kids participating in sailing and wheelchair sports. See Bike page 20 ...Redefine Your Living Space We design and build Bathrooms . Kitchens . Basements FAMILY OWNED & RATED OPE · drapery + hardware · custom sewing + furniture · in-home consultation · W E ' V E R A I S E D T H E C U R TA I N Our "Luxury To GoTM" ready-made drapery collection is exquisitely designed and ready to hang. With over 90 in stock drapery panels to choose from, it's easy to achieve the custom look without the wait. 2004 Caroline Street, Burlington Ontario L7R 1K9 · 905.632.4994 QEW / 403 Guelp www.invudraperyco.com QEW Fairv Map le Av iew S t. Drury Ln. Bran t St. h Lin Store Hours Monday to Wednesday: 10am to 6pm Thursday & Friday: 10am to 8pm Saturday: 10am to 6pm Sunday: 12pm to 5pm Caro line S t. More than 20 years of experience 198 Speers Road, Oakville e e. Lake shore Rd. 905-845-9675