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FAMILY MAGAZINE Fall 2016
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This is where Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island stepped in to help. Staff from the Nanaimo Child Development Centre referred the family to Children’s Health Foundation’s Bear Essentials program, a program that helps cover costs for families with children who have disabilities and health challenges. “Bear Essentials makes such a difference for families who are trying to piece together funding for required medical equipment for their children,” says Shannon Cole, Nanaimo Child Development Centre Physiotherapist. Bear Essentials provided financial support to 36 Nanaimo area families last year – and those who require support can learn more about the program on the Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island website (www.childrenshealthvi.org). Anita Brassard,
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Nanaimo News Bulletin
Manager of Community Engagement for Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island had this to say: “There’s nothing more important to a parent than their child’s health. Raising kids is expensive and raising a child with a disability or health challenge can come with lots of additional expenses. And really, money shouldn’t be a barrier to a child’s health. With Bear Essentials we want to help families when their child’s needs are falling through the cracks. Sometimes that’s a tank of gas to get to a health care appointment in Victoria and sometimes that means helping to purchase a wheelchair. No matter what the Bear Essentials looks like for a family we want them to know it’s okay. We are all in this together. We want to help. Our Island community wants to help.” Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island believes all children deserve to reach their full
potential. While funding from Bear Essentials relieves financial pressure, it also helps ensure local children have access to the supports they need to live a healthy life. “We feel blessed that there are programs like Bear Essentials and the Nanaimo Child Development Centre, who strive to provide for children with special needs,” says Thompson. “It is difficult, and sometimes very lonely to be the parent of a child with special needs. When we are gifted in this way we feel that there is a community of people who support and love us. We feel like there is a bright, hopeful future for our son.” For more about the foundation and the Bear Essentials program, please visit www.childrenshealthfoundationvi.org. Lenore Kennedy is interim communications manager for the Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island.
Seniors Night Tues & Thurs KID FRIENDLY GLUTEN FREE MENU BANQUET ROOM by Reservation. FREE when catered.
EARLY BIRD BREAKFAST 6671 MARY ELLEN DR. NANAIMO NORTH — www.abccountry.ca —
1/2 Page 42p x 27p
Seekers for truth find “Love without limits Life without fear” Hear how to do it Ramada Inn Nanaimo, 315 Rosehill Sunday, October 23, 2:00 pm Telephone 250-740-1552
Fujiko Signs, CSB
This free lecture is sponsored by Christian Science Society Nanaimo, BC. Refreshments served.
8 Seniors Resource Directory – Summer/Fall 2015
Subscribe to the Community Calendar www.familyandfriends.ca For details, contact Jacqueline Neligan Ladysmith Children First Coordinator laffexecutivedirector@shaw.ca
Special Supplement to Nanaimo News Bulletin