COMMUNITY NEWS

She was transferred to McMaster Children's Hospital, and a CT scan was performed on her brain. The family was informed that Tenley was diagnosed with lissencephaly, which means ‘smooth brain,’ because with the condition, a person’s brain doesn’t have the same folds and ridges that one normally sees.

“It's a brain disorder that sometimes we can carry the gene, other times it's a fluke. With her, it was a fluke; we've been tested, and nothing shows there,” Neal said. Because of her condition, “(Tenley) has global developmental delays; she has seizures, epilepsy.”

At Lansdowne, Neal found support for her family, and received instruction in physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy, to help Tenley develop abilities and realize her potential.

Neal expressed her gratitude for the organization and the support it offers

“They hold a very special place in my heart,” she said. “We would have been completely lost without Lansdowne.”

Besides the therapeutic support Tenley has received, Neal said Lansdowne staff have also helped the family access funding, and offered resources such as the Kids Country Inn, where Tenley gets to spend a fun weekend, and her parents get a respite break.

“They're just amazing; honestly, I can't say enough good things about the organization, which is why I like to be as involved as I am ”

Neal is a member of the Lansdowne Children’s Centre Foundation board of directors, a volunteer group that oversees initiatives to enhance and enrich the lives of the children and families that Lansdowne Children’s Centre serves by raising funds and goodwill throughout the community

The Magic of Giving Holiday Market is the first time Neal has organized a vendors’ market. “I was trying to think of a third-party event that would be fun and good for the community, because we're supporting local artisans and vendors,” as well as supporting Lansdowne, she said.

Neal has recruited event sponsors that include the venue, Best Western Hotel and Conference Centre, (19 Holiday Drive, Brantford), which drastically discounted the rental fee because it was for an event supporting Lansdowne, and Neal’s Real Estate Broker, Jason Tangorra, who covered that rental fee.

Funds will be raised for Lansdowne through the admission fees ($2 for adults; children are free), vendor table fees and raffles, “So, no money in my pocket,” Neal said.

She noted that there are 50 registered vendors, and their wares vary widely, including but in no way limited to: pottery, greeting cards, wreaths, beaded keychains and wallet holders, personalized ornaments, stuffed animals, book art, kitchen products, chainmail jewelry, freeze dried candy, motorcycle and skull novelty items, and homemade sourdough bread.

“I don’t know if I’ve ever been to a vendor event of this size that has so many different vendors I think it’s going to be great,” Neal said, adding that with 50 vendors, the show is big enough that people are sure to find some treasures, but not be overwhelmed.

It will also be a good way for shoppers to start getting into the holiday spirit.

“It’s going to be very festive; everyone’s going to have something a little Christmas-y at their table.”

The market runs from 10 a m to 4 p.m. There will be swag bags for the first 50 adults who come through. There will also be a kids’ craft area with volunteers, so caregivers will have the option to step away to shop on site for a few minutes on their own Neal is asking the community to support the market in a few ways. To start, donations of raffle prizes are still being accepted; call 519751-8666 or email julie@julienealrealestate.com to make arrangements for pick up/ drop off. Next, the community is being asked to help spread the word about the event, whether by word of mouth or on social media. “The better word is getting out there, the better the event will be,” Neal said.