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28 - The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday January 16, 2008 www.oakvillebeaver.com Artscene Oakville Beaver · WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2008 This one's for Holly Photographer created calendar to help niece who suffers from a rare developmental birth defect By Krissie Rutherford OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF A little girl battling a rare developmental birth defect is the inspiration behind My True Nature. The photographic calendar by Oakville's Jackie Osmond Patrick is a fundraiser for Holly Taylor, her two-year-old grand niece, who has schizencephaly, a disorder where one quarter of the brain is not developed. Holly, the daughter of Milton's Courtney McLauchlan-Taylor and Ken Taylor, was diagnosed with schizencephaly at nine months. "I saw the great need that was in the face of Courtney and Ken, and just knowing there wasn't enough health care for Holly in terms of therapy and what they needed, having funds to go see specialists. I wanted to help," said Osmond Patrick. "I basically took my gift of creativity, and put it to use in a positive way to help Holly." An art and art history graduate from the University of Toronto and Sheridan College, Osmond Patrick also has a background in marketing and advertising. "I just feel like I can't sit idly by and do nothing," she said. "It's been something I've been able to do that's taken my gifts to help Courtney and Ken and Holly out." The money raised from the calendars will help with various treatments for Holly, including Ability Camp. It's a five-week camp in Picton, which includes conductive education five to six hours a day, and hyperbaric oxygen treatments. Holly is currently attending the camp, which costs about $10,000 per five-week session. "We noticed a huge difference when Holly went to camp," said McLauchlan-Taylor. "The first time she went, she couldn't see. When we left, she could. "She couldn't lift her head, arms, legs, she couldn't do anything. By the time she left she could sit by herself for about 10 seconds, which was a huge improvement." LIESA KORTMANN / OAKVILLE BEAVER See Calendar page 30 ART FOR HOLLY: Jackie Osmond Patrick with her grand-niece, Holly, who has a rare developmental birth defect. The local artist is selling calendars to fundraise for Holly. t h e u l t i m at e local business search Video Commercials Talking Characters Local Business Directory Consumer Tips Local Sales & Specials