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A /e W - The Oakville Beaver Weekend. Saturday December 6, 2003 - 11 Son is mother's inspiration nursing help with Matthew. She (Continued from page 1) He has braces on his legs. Fed by a receives 28 hours/weekly nursing assis machine, Matthew has acid reflux, tance - and Matwey herself, during which sees his food come back up. those hours, just began working for the Matwey hopes her son will have sur Mississauga family of a special needs gery to correct that problem. He's also youth. She was speaking to another mother had pneumonia three times and must o f a special needs child who raised have his chest suctioned. Matwey has worked diligently to money for a wheelchair accessible van hoping to get tips on stimulate her son and he now laughs and smiles. holding a dinner/dance He's a client of Erinoak. "Everything happens fundraiser, probably in Serving Young People the new year. for a reason. Then another With Physical Matthew could die Christmas "m iracle" Disabilities. "H e's a fighter," said tomorrow, but so happened Friday. Attending a Kids Can Matwey. Her son has a wheelchair/stroller, but could everyone." Count on Us Foundation fundraiser weighing in at 45 - Heather Matwey pounds, Matwey said in east Toronto, Matwey it's getting tough for her said foundation officials to lift him around. told her she could have the full amount Matwey bought him a used lift for o f the cost of the van. her home that cost more than Sl.(XX). Matwey said she has a van, but it has Next she's shopping for a ceiling lift 2(X).(X)0km on its odometer. Converting a van costs $15,000for the bathroom and a bath chair. The big item on her wish list, how $18,000. she said, so it's not smart to invest in her old vehicle. ever, is a wheelchair-accessible van. She had hoped to purchase a newer Matwey said she had a commitment for $1().(XX) from President's Choice used van and then convert it since a new wheel-chair accessible van costs Kids Can Count On Us Foundation. "I've saved $10,000 myself." said about $60.(XX). Matwey said she'll still get a used Matwey. Matwey was employed by a bank, van since the less money she takes from then transferred to Intria Items Inc., a the charity, the more will be available to company that does back office bank another child. operations and one that was very good Matwey said she was able to save $ 10,000 toward the van by working and to her given her family situation. Matwey had to give up that job living with her parents, Dorothy and Ron Matwey -- who helped with because she doesn't have full-time Matthew. "My mom is 69 years old and 98 pounds. And whoever doesn't believe in God should see my mother carry my 45-pound son." said Matwey. Her dad changes diapers, adminis ters medication via a tube and more. "Most men of his age, he's 69. never even changed a diaper. I'd never have done it without my parents," said Matwey. Matthew's nurse Joanne Poljanski is also a Godsend. "She's like having a doctor in my home and she loves him like he was her own son," said Matwey. Always cheerful, despite the cir cumstances, Matwey said. "Everything happens for a reason. Matthew could die tomorrow, but so could everyone. He has a life-threatening condition, but he's stable now." She tells her nine-year-old daughter Veronica, not to be embarrassed that people stare at Matthew, because they don't know how special he is. Matwey also said she never counted on the many kindnesses from strangers. "There are so many good people out there. It's such an inspiration. I didn't know there were so many people root ing for me," said Matwey. Mostly Matwey does it for her son. "I gain my strength from him. I look at him and think `Look at all you have to deal with. I can walk and talk. If you're ever feeling sorry for yourself, go to Sick Kids Hospital and walk around and you w on't think about your self anymore," said Matwey. ^ \ F R E E PHOTOS with SANTA < &treats for the kids! Santa's hours: Saturdays 11:30am-4 pm 2 4 4 1 L a k e s h o r e R d . W. (comer of LaKashore & Bronte Oakville) M (905) 465-3012 (905) 827-7778 (905) 847-8620 (905) 339-3313 (905) 825-0788 (905) 827-2394 (905) 827-8409 (905) 825-4075 (905) 845-4446 (905) 827-8745 (905) 827-7675 (905) 825-2278 (905) 825-1235 (905) 847-8229 (905) 827-7272 (905) 827-6100 (905) 827-8944 (9 0 5 ) 8 2 5 -0 7 1 9 December 6th 13th, 20th CHRISTMAS HOURS STARTING DECEMBER 15 Mon to Sal. 9:30am to 9:00pm Sun. 11:00am to 5:00pm Christm as Eve. 9:00am to 6:00pm. Boxing Day. Dec 26 11:00am to 5:00pm Not all stores m ay be open. · Advantage Vacuums Sales & Service · Arman's Custom Tailors · Bronte Chiropractic Clinic. Dr Allman. D.C.............. · Bronte Gift Gallery Post Office.................. · Bronte Language Centre · Bronte Village Dental Office · Bronte Village Smoke & V ariety.................. · Concept Galleries & Plak s 'N Prints · Discount Choice · The Fire Hall. Cool Bar. Hot Grill · Flippance & Carr . · Harbour Craft · Health for All · Island Terrace Gourmet Coffee Co...................... · Labels For Less ............ (905) 465-3393 (905) 827-7400 (905) 827-1633 (905) 825-1896 (905) 847 0582 (905) 825-1103 (905) 825-3916 (905) 825-2171 (905) 847-8143 (905) 827-4445 (905) 827-1580 (905) 827-8218 (905) 847-3111 (905) 827-8723 (905) 469-0818 · Little Bear in Bronte Woods ............ .. · Little Caesar's ............ · LLS Jewellery · MathMagic Enrichment Learning Ctr.................... · Pharma Plus · Please One Hair Salon · Quo Vadis Shoe Repair · Royal LePage: Frances & Ken Wedlake · Sanger Contact Lens C e n tre .................... · Smart Selection Hi-Fashion · Smarter Cleaners · Sobey s (Open 24 Hours) · Superior Lock & Safe · TCBY · Uniglobe Glen Abbey Travel .......................... · Union Securities Ltd · The Wine Rack Visit Beautiful B r o n t e V illa g e Over 175stores and services await hi a scenic lakeside setting. EVENTS CALENDAR Callfor details for Upcoming Events (905) 825-3258 bronte@spectranet. ca IN ^ II \K \II I fa s a d ta we make jpoh look good- mside & out I new name, bigger store. · Spring Housing Guide Available March 2002 · Insurance Guide Available August 2002 ' a n ifrrM v . /.m · Senior Living Guide Available May 2002 2512 Bronte Rd., O akville (corner o f Hwy. 5 & Bronte) Call fo r y o u r free in h o m e consultation h ijC fr r r r r m r r Q : J r, 9 0 5 - 8 2 - 7-3331 w w w .fasada.ca 100 Bronte Rd. Unit #3, Oakville 905-847-1512 w w w .g o o d n ig h tg o o d m o r n in g .c o m