Circle of Honour welcomes six new recipients

TORONTO (June 19, 2013) – Recognizing outstanding leadership in childhood disability, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital is pleased to welcome six new recipients into our Circle of Honour.

The awards are the hospital's highest honour recognizing outstanding contributions made to the field of childhood disability on a provincial, national or global level by an individual, team or organization.

Congratulations to our winners for their incredible achievements.

Peter Chirico (Advocacy):
Through his passion, commitment and by listening to the needs of the community, Peter Chirico, prominent North Bay leader, has worked tirelessly to establish One Kids Place, a children's treatment centre in Northeastern Ontario. Opened in 2009, the centre sees approximately 3,000 special needs children a year and has become essential to the community.

Cruisers Sports for the Physically Disabled (Advocacy):
Cruisers Sports plays an integral role in improving the lives of youth with disabilities in the Halton-Peel region. Over the last 25 years, they have grown to over 90 athletes playing six different sports on national teams. The organization has also raised awareness around the importance of active participation for youth with disabilities through various events, resource fairs and has changed community attitudes.

TVOKids and TVOParents.com (Education):
Being inclusive to kids of all abilities is a priority to TVO. They have made it their mandate and seek relevant stories about kids with disabilities and their families. Taking it one step further, they have partnered with Holland Bloorview to hire kid reporters and create shows like TVO Parents Panel. Gemini-award winning Mark's Moments has made a profound impact on community perceptions of disability.

Patricia McKeever (Research):
An innovative and exceptional researcher, Dr. Patricia McKeever has championed research for kids with disabilities for over twenty years. The Bloorview Research Institute senior scientist examines how kids with disabilities address physical, social and political barriers to inclusion. A leader in her field, Dr. McKeever has delivered 90 peer-reviewed articles, 250 peer-reviewed presentations and been invited to over 100 international presentations.

Capital One (Philanthropy):
A loyal supporter of Holland Bloorview's life-skills programs, Capital One believes in giving kids a strong foundation to help them succeed. They have supported a number of initiatives and workshops for youth. Teens who have participated in the Youth@Work program have completed placements at 53 community businesses and are helping to expand awareness around the potential of youth with disabilities.

Sam and Sarah El Raheb (Philanthropy):
In loving memory of their daughter Emily, Sam and Sarah El Raheb initiated Bowling for Bloorview to raise money and awareness for Holland Bloorview's Scarborough nursery school, where Emily attended. Every year, the event attracts hundreds of people from the community. Their dedication and ongoing commitment to improving the lives of children with disabilities is truly inspiring.

About Holland Bloorview
Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital is Canada's largest children's rehabilitation hospital, fully affiliated with the University of Toronto. We pioneer treatments, technologies, therapies and real-world programs that give children with disabilities the tools to participate fully in life. Every year, we see about 7,000 children with about 600 inpatient admissions and 58,000 outpatient visits.

For more information:
Kathy Foisey,
communications associate,
Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital,
416-425-6220 ext.3310,
kfoisey@hollandbloorview.ca