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The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday July 23, 2003 - C3 Becoming independent in the "real world" Graduates o f the Independent Living Program show they can do it on their own skills preparatory program at the resi dences of Sheridan Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning. Through the Independent Living ori Edwards is 19 and eager Program Edwards practiced grocery to live on her own in Toronto. But before stepping out into a shopping in a local store on her own. life of independence, she needed to and making meals in the student buiid her confidence in a couple of kitchens of the campus residence. "I'm not scared or nervous anymore areas, specifically cooking and grocer) about moving out on my shopping. own now." said Edwards. While she says she's " It's nice to have Although she'll be living not yet sure anyone else would enjoy dining on attendants nearby when in a supportive housing building in Toronto, she I need help but it's the results of her culinary intends to be as self-suffi efforts, grilled cheese important to me to do cient as possible. and spaghetti have been a lot of my own care." "It's nice to have atten added to her repertoire. · Lori Edwards dants nearby w hen I need Taking that big leap help, but it's important to into the real world is a me to do a lot of my own care." tough transition for any young adult. Ryan Pallett. 18. is a graduate of the Learning how to do laundry, make meals, shop for groceries and figure out two-week program. The Independent Living Program travel routes and budgets is a whole was initiated last July and he was new skill set. Managing all that in a wheelchair, among the first set of students through it. This year he volunteered to help the with physical limitations and intellectu al challenges are tougher still -- but not next lot achieve their goals and also provide training to the 24 attendants impossible. Edwards is one of 1 2 students from involved in the session. Pallett is also a living example for Erinoak. a local treatment facility for physically disabled children. She's just the new group ready to venture out. that completed a two-sveek (July 7-18) life- success is within reach. By Melanie Cummings S P E C IA L T O T H E B E A V E H L Last year Pallett wanted to leam how to do his own laundry and use the transit system in his hometown of Mississauga. He's proud to report both tasks are now second nature to him. Michelle Asgarali. 19 is also an Independent Living graduate who it seems never left the Sheridan campus. The advertising student is entering her second year at the institute. As well as providing training to this year's pro gram staff, she also secured much needed sponsorship from the Civitan Club of Oakville. The Ontario March of Dimes. Sheridan Residence and Conference Centre. The Rotary Club of Oakville Trafalgar, East Side Mario's. Motion Specialties Mississauga and Investors Group also provided financial support for the program. According to Linda Rothney, the Chief Executive Officer of Erinoak. without such sponsorships, the pro gram wouldn't exist. It receives no government funding at this point. In the words of John Siemko, 18. who is a recent graduate of the pro gram. the sponsorship is more than a cash infusion. " It shows (the sponsors) care about the community and ensuring we thrive in it in the future." A year from now Jamie Perrenoud hopes to have his turn. He toured through the Sheridan residences during a recent open house showcasing the program's merits. Perrenoud is crossing his fingers the program will still be around next year when the 17-year-old hopes to spread his wings through the Independent Living Program. Nineteen-year-old Nicole M urphy recently completed Krinoak's twoweek life-skills preparatory program at the residences of Sheridan Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning. Murphy, who has Cerebral Palsy, demonstrates her new reaching tool. Her brother Shawn can be seen in the background. Recent graduate John Siemko, far left, from Oakville, who also has Cerebral Palsy, shows off the student kitchens of the campus resi dence. Murphy, below left, demon strates an adapted cutting board to her three-year-old sister Cassidy. Announcing our first ever SUV award. Come to think of it, announcing our first ever SUV. Photos by Chantal Ayotte - Special to the Oakville Beaver Choose your wheels and ride the distance at BikeTREK BikeTREK proceeds benefit Lings Are For Life program The Halton Lung Association's BikeTR EK is on the move and growing. Starting and finishing at Coronation Park, par ticipants can choose from three distances. 20, 60 and 100 kilometres on Sept. 21. The 20-kilometre route is designed for those who wish to wheel the event any way they want inline skate, bike, skateboard, stroller - anything on wheels. This route will also be set up for a family scav enger hunt with rewards for the most collected items but also a simple pledge ride for those who would like to participate in the ride but not in the hunt. The 60 and 100 kilometre rides will take cyclists to Burlington then up to Milton and return. All of the rides will be supervised by Oakville REACT, supported by Red Cross which will pro vide sag wagons, EM S paramedics and Halton. Regional Police Service. Rewards will be provided based on the amount of pledges collected. There will be a small registration fee for all three rides to offset costs. Last year's BikeTR EK raised about SIO.(XK) from pledges collected by fewer than 1 (X) cyclists, said Mickie Daniel-Angas. Executive Director and Development Coordinator for the Halton Lung Association. "This year we're hoping for double the money and double the riders." she said. " M y dream is to have the same receipts as the Just Arrived, call for yo ur test drive appointm ent Introducing the Touareg. Named the Best Luxury SUV in 2003 by Car and Driver. W h a t to be more proud of? The fact that w e created a luxury SUV on our first try? O r that w e won an award on our first try? Either way, you'll like it for the same reasons C ar and Driver did. Its phenomenal off-road capability. The host of luxurious appointments. The thoughtful little touches, like a built-in flashlight. See for yourself at Oakville Volkswagen. Becel Ride for Heart in Toronto." Proceeds from BikeTR EK will go towards the Lungs Are For Life education program that pro vides lessons plans for all grades from Kindergarten to Grade 12. "W e've had a lot of response to the Lungs Are For Life program." said Daniel-Angas, who speaks at schools about this program. The Halton Lung Association will be promoting its Healthy Lungs program starting Aug. 18 in Burlington at Mapleview Mall - with an aware ness campaign to Clear the A ir - an information and small fundraiser to make people aware that asthma peaks in September. T This event will also introduce and promote BikeTREK. For more information, call the Halton Lung Association at 905-847-1033. Drivers wanted. Oakville Volkswagen C B ^ 0 5 .8 4 4 .3 2 8 5 KERR © 2 003 Volkswagen V W com /touareg STREET, O A K V I L L E