No. 59 / April 2017
Leaside Life
Wilfrid Heighington and the Battle of Vimy Ridge Pg 4
leasidelifenews.com
THE VIMY CONNECTION April 9, 2017 will mark the 100th anniversary of the First World War and the Battle of Vimy Ridge. This battle forged Canada’s path towards true independence and paved the way to an Allied victory in the War. In the March issue of Leaside Life, Allan Williams shared with our readers the very personal connection of Leasider Drew Hamblin to Vimy. We also called on Leasiders to share their own stories about Vimy. We were moved by the many stories we received. In this issue, we are proud to share some of them with you.
ROBYN COX
The Spiral Garden: An oasis in Leaside
Holland Bloorview’s Spiral Garden staff artists (l-r), Thiago, Lynn and Marek share the Music Circle with participants Kate and Zach. By JANIS FERTUCK There are many different kinds of summer camp, but a unique camp experience can be found right in North Leaside at the Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, the largest children’s rehabilitation hospital in Canada, and a global leader in applied research, teaching and family-centred care. As part of their mission to create “a world of possibility” for disabled children, the facility runs the Spiral Garden Summer Day Program, a fully integrated offering open to both children with disabilities and those without. This innovative and inclusive community started in 1984, as their website states, “to create a community that values the whole person, promotes self and group expression and builds a hands-on relationship with nature and art.” Holland Bloorview research shows that integrated programs yield many benefits by providing a space for all children to participate, interact and grow.
The Spiral Garden is an outdoor art, garden and play program set in a lovely one and a half acre site at Holland Bloorview. The program, for children aged 6 to 18, is run by professional artists, support and medical staff. This year there are four twoweek sessions and the new option of four one-week sessions offered from July 4 to August 25, with 60 children in each session and a 50-50 ratio of children with and without disabilities, some of whom are siblings. While there are several structural markers to each day, with a morning group music and story circle, a conch sounding to signal lunch time, and a relaxation session at the end of the day, what sets this program apart is the absence of a set schedule for each child. Instead, kids are free to follow their own interests to various table-top activity areas such as woodworking, “clay world,” painting, puppets, mask-making, cooking and tending the organic garden. The tables are covered with
I was so pleased to see the article about Drew Hamblin and his connection to Vimy Ridge in last month’s issue. I too, have a personal connection, as my grandfather, Wilfrid Heighington, served at Vimy. Wilfrid left for France in 1915 at 18 years old. He was wounded twice (he had the unpleasant experience of having a Medical Officer
SPIRAL, Page 12
VIMY, Page 4
What Vimy means to me