Local 22-Year-Old Student Writes Memoir On Her Stroke and Recovery

After a stroke-like episode left Trent University student Jenna Dakin with no memory, she picked up the pieces of the last two decades through recovery and writing.

22-year-old masters student Jenna dakin. photo courtesy of jenna dakin.

In December 2021, Dakin suffered a neurological episode that most resembled a stroke. She became unresponsive and paralyzed on her left side.

“I had a lot of cognitive deficits from it, but one of the main things that I acquired was severe retrograde amnesia, so all my memories prior to my stroke are gone.”

Dakin says that writing her memoir, 21 Cups, has helped her to navigate her amnesia and stroke recovery process.

“It basically was like re-starting the world at 21,” she continued. “I started writing as kind of a therapy tool and then next thing I knew I had half a book written. It was so therapeutic, and then I had this beautiful thing in front of me.”

photo courtesy of jenna dakin.

In just a moment, Dakin went from an average university student to learning how to walk again.

Just a few weeks before Christmas in 2021, she came home from a dinner out when she sat down on the stairs to take her shoes off.

“I suddenly slumped over and became completely paralyzed and unresponsive on my left side,” Dakin recalls.

The next thing she remembered she was in the hospital undergoing CT scans and MRI’s, after which she was told by neurologists of her stroke-like episode.

“People say I’m crazy because I never stopped school and I just kept going, but for me that was no question. Like I didn’t know who my mom was but I was like ‘teach me psychology because I’m continuing,’” she laughed. “If I didn’t have school I don’t know what I would’ve done. It gave me a purpose, it ignited that drive for me.”

After reaching out to a publisher at One Thousand Trees who “fell in love” with her book, Dakin was able to get it published earlier in March.

She highlights the unique perspective her memoir is told through, adding a positive spin to every setback she endures.

“I always say, I can’t find the words to be able to make other people understand what its like to go through this, to lose all your memories and restart the world. There’s really no way to describe that, but I think my book is a way to potentially show people what it is like in this world for me,” Dakin said. “I think this book (offers) the chance to view the world a little differently for a minute. Not everyone is lucky enough to experience all their firsts again, but I get to re-experience my first steps, my first words and more.”

Though Dakin is currently stable in her recovery process, she notes that having another neurological episode is a “very real possibility,” though she tries to not worry about that chance.

“I had 21 years kind of robbed from me, so I don’t want to live my life worrying that I’m going to lose more years. I’ve kind of realized that life is too short and I might as well cherish what I have right now. I just want to enjoy every moment that I can and not lose anymore of my life,” she said.

21 Cups is available on Amazon.

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Peterborough Youth Council Applications Now Open for 2023-2024 Term

The City of Peterborough is now accepting applications for the 2023-2024 term of the Peterborough Youth Council.

photo courtesy of the city of peterborough.

Young people between the ages of 10 and 21 who live or attend school in Peterborough are invited to apply to become a member of the Council.

The Peterborough Youth Council is a voice for youth in the community. Members can bring their ideas and energy to organizing and being involved in community events.

This is a volunteer position, and the volunteer hours can be used towards students’ Ontario Secondary School Diploma requirement of 40 hours of community involvement.

“The Youth Council is a voice for youth in our community,” said Councillor Lesley Parnell, chair of the youth portfolio. “Help us plan events that will resonate with young people in our community. You’ll have fun, meet other young people and gain valuable skills such as organization, communication and teamwork.”

Youth are invited to visit the City’s website to learn more and complete an application. Applications are due by April 28 at 4:30 p.m.

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Trillium Grant of $75,000 Gives Yes Shelter Research Funding to Bring Host Homes Program to Peterborough

The YES Shelter is researching if a Host Homes Program is feasible in Peterborough to prevent youth from entering the shelter system and provide supportive housing after receiving a $75,000 Ontario Trillium Foundation grant.

YEs Shelter reports that a consistency of roughly 50 youth expereince homelessness in Peterborough. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The project goal is to determine whether it is viable and ideal to have a Host Home Program for Peterborough City and County. The grant was originally awarded in 2019 but delayed over COVID-19 until last year. Host Homes Program helps youth experiencing or at risk of homelessness have a safe, home-like environment while repairing their relationship with natural supports according to a press release. Youth experiencing trauma that can come with homelessness can be supported through the cause of their housing instability.

The funding aids in staff, research, travel, an ethics board and labour.

“This grant of $75,000 has allowed the YES Shelter for Youth to continue supporting youth and families and addressing youth homelessness,” said MPP Dave Smith. “It has been said that it takes a village to raise a child and the YES Shelter and other community partners have been able to lessen the burden on these youth by providing a safe shelter and other supports they need.”

The program helps prevent anyone aged 16 - 24 from entering the shelter system in Peterborough and gives access to community support. Typical causes of youth homelessness can include family conflict, poverty, and family rejection due to gender identity or sexual orientation according to Aimeé Le Lagadec, YES Shelter executive director.

“There are currently very few supports in place for young people who need to leave home prematurely to maintain their safety and wellbeing,” she said. “This program connects community members with the ability to keep youth safe while they access supports, continue going to school and avoid having to worry about their survival on the streets.”

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Photos: High School Students Stage Protest For Climate Action

Students from Peterborough Alternative & Continuing Education (PACE) staged a walkout from school and protested to spread awareness about climate change as part of a movement named “Fridays for Future” at Confederation Park on Friday.

Photo by Luke Best.

The students were part of the Youth Leadership in Sustainability program held in partnership with Trent University.

Aisling MacQuarrie,16, is a Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School student who is taking Youth Leadership in Sustainability. A program that prepares grade 11 and 12 students for leadership roles in sustainability initiatives at the local and global levels. Photo by Luke Best.

“In 2019, the city announced a climate crisis and they also committed to reducing greenhouse gases by 40 per cent by 2031. We're here to remind them of that promise and make sure they're upholding and making actions to get there,” said Aisling MacQuarrie, grade 11 student. “We wanted to try to make more of a difference in our community.”

Fridays for Future is a youth-led global climate strike movement that started in August 2018 when then 15-year-old Greta Thunberg began a school strike for the climate.

For three weeks leading up to the election, she sat outside Swedish Parliament every school day, demanding action on the climate crisis.

Mayor Diane Therrien encouraged the students in their protest and movement before heading to the Peterborough Environmental and Climate Action Expo (EnviroX). Photo by Luke Best.

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Peterborough Police Lay 70 Traffic Related Charges In First Week Of School

The Back-to-School Traffic Safety Initiative between Peterborough County, Township of Cavan Monaghan and the Peterborough Police Service has safety at the forefront with 70 charges laid in the first week. 

Photo by Luke Best.

Between September 6-9, officers laid the following charges:

• Speeding: 42

• Distracted Driving: 1

• Crosswalk Offences: 2

• Permit Violations: 23

• Unsafe Vehicles: 2 (Towed from Highway)

“Peterborough Police remind motorists that back to school time is an exciting time for children and we want to ensure it’s also a safe time,” said Acting Chief Tim Farquharson, Peterborough Police Services. “Please be aware of school zones, buses on our roads, and students walking and cycling to school. Together we can ensure everyone has a safe and memorable back to school experience.”

Peterborough Police will continue to monitor school and community zones over the coming weeks to ensure school children are safe during the return to school.  

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Peterborough City U13 Girls Triumphant At Durham Regional Soccer League Champions

The Peterborough City U13 Girls secured the win in the Tier 1 division of the Durham Regional Soccer League Championships at Herrema Fields in Uxbridge this past weekend.

Top Row (L-R): Nicole Plunkett (Assistant Coach), Kathryn Murphy, Lily Papageorge, Kayla Leeson, Sydney Smith, Sophie Snajdr, David Bartleman (Head Coach), Elaina Wilson, Brynne Bartleman, Payton Rogers, Lily-May Borges, Bridgette Powers, Nick Powers (Assistant Coach) Bottom Row (L-R): Danika Jacobs, Taylor Bidgood, Lyla Simpson, Charlotte Donaldson, Ellie Lewington, Gabrielle Savoy, Grace Plunkett, Allie Hamilton. Photo courtesy of David Bartleman.

The pressure was on as the girls needed either a win or a tie to claim that first place title in the Tier 1 division of this championship.

A 2-0 win over the North Durham United Football Club put the team in first. Grace Plunkett scored both game goals, adding to her season total of 19 and earning her third place in league scoring. Ellie Lewington finished the season with 9 shutouts the most among all teams in the League. 

The league this year was a combined league consisting of both U13 and U14 Girls. 

Peterborough City finished the year with a record of 11 wins, 2 draws and 3 losses, scoring an astounding 46 goals and conceding only 18.

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Nine-Year-Old Farmer Hard At Work Building Birdhouses To Earn Enough Money To Buy A Cow Of His Own

Cameron Ormiston, 9, has been busy this summer building and selling birdhouses with hopes to soon be able to buy his own cow.

Cameron lives with his family on their beef farm in Omemee and raise charlets, shorthorns, sheep and ducks.

The nine-year-old grew up going to cattle shows with his parents and has recently started showing cows himself at local fairs.

He began saving up money from birthdays and Christmas and doing chores for his parents and grandparents last year with plans to buy a cow of his own.

This year he planted some corn an planned to sell it, but with the drought that didn’t pan out so it was back to the drawing board.

“Birdhouses seemed like a good idea,” said Jennie, his mom. “We had some spare lumber laying around so we got to work.”

Making the bird houses is a team effort at the farm.

“I do the sanding and the painting,” said Cameron. “Mom helps me staple the pieces together and I drill the hole for the bird.”

Jennie says working hard and using tools like this is nothing new for Cameron.

“Cameron has always worked hard,” she said. “He learned to drive the excavator when he was seven, he’s used to being around tools and equipment. Dad is big on safety and he’s grown up doing it.”

So far Cameron estimates that he has sold about 40 birdhouses, and he has close to 20 pre-made.

Birdhouses sell for $15 each and can be purchased at the stand located on their family farm at 297 Lilac Rd., Omemee.

At the stand there is a notebook for customers to leave comments.

“He’s gotten a crazy amount of support, people have left notes that are from as far as Oshawa and Toronto,” said Jennie. “He’s had people offer to send him money if they’re not close, just a lot of support.”

Cameron plans to save around $2,000 for a calf that he can halter break and Jennie says he’s close to halfway there.

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Community Living And Five Counties Children's Centre Provide Youth With Complex Medical Needs A Space To Be Kids And Have Fun

Community Living Trent Highlands ( Community and Family Services) in partnership with Five Counties Children’s Centre, hosted an accessible camp for youth in the area living with complex medical needs.

This camp was meant to provide an opportunity for youth living with complex medical needs to experience the fun of summer camp, while still having access to important medical resources they need.

“The facilities here are absolutely perfect,” said Shawna Belcourt, Outcomes Facilitator at Community Living. “The lift, the air conditioning, these are just things that are super important but wouldn’t be available anywhere else.”

Belcourt noted that the facilities at Five Counties helped participants with mobility devices and their supporters get around the building, the air conditioning was important to provide relief to campers with low blood sugar and, while much of their time was spent outside, being able to come inside to cool off or take a break was a bonus.

The two day camp welcomed four young people, who have aged out of most summer camps that accept participants up to 12 years old, and their supporters.

They had a packed schedule with visits from a music therapist from Soundspeaks Music Therapy, a performance by Peterborough Circus, participated in Art Therapy, Adapted Sports (bowling, hockey, and curling) and made lots of furry friends from Critter Visits.

Liam, a camper, and his supporter he refers to as ‘Nanny Beth’ had fun bowling in the gym.

Beth says Liam is always busy spending time with her or with his family, but the opportunity provided by Community Living and Five Counties was special.

“He’s not different here,” she said. “He fits right in. There’s no stares, no questions, he’s just like all of the other kids and he has just had so much fun.”

Belcourt says that this camp has been in the works for a long time, and now, as COVID restrictions are easing she hopes it becomes yearly.

She says that because of the complex medical needs these young people and their families deal with and nursing shortages, some of them were unable to attend school for many months because they couldn’t risk contracting COVID.

The closure and postponement of other accessible events and activities in the city has also disrupted routines and offered little support or interaction for these youth.

“This has been a labour of love,” said Belcourt. “We couldn’t have done it without Five Counties and without all of the behind the scenes support from our manager Penny Wood, the Recreation Therapists Colleen (Ristok) and Caitlin (Ivany) here at Five Counties, volunteers here and so many others. It was a huge success.”

This years camp was a pilot project, but with the success of it and feedback from participants, Community Living and Five Counties hope to be able to offer this program for years to come.

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Support Pours In For Millbrook Boy After Eye Doctors Appointment Becomes Emergency Trip To Sick Kids

Jolene Downer took her son Riley to a regular eye doctor appointment on Thursday expecting a usual checkup, but within a few minutes of them being there fluid was found behind his eyes and Jolene was instructed to take him to the emergency department at Sick Kids.

Photo courtesy of the Downer family.

According to family friend Erin Bonnet this news took everyone by surprise. Riley is a healthy kid with no previous issues.

By 10 p.m. that night they arrived at Sick Kids in Toronto.

Friday morning Riley had surgery to complete a biopsy and to have the fluid drained. After an MRI doctors confirmed that the fluid is draining properly so the family is now awaiting biopsy results.

The results are expected to be in in 3 - 5 days, but until then the family doesn’t know how long their hospital stay will be or what type of treatment Riley will need.

Currently, only one parent can stay at the hospital so Jolene will remain in Toronto while her husband Steve will be driving back and fourth and staying with Riley’s younger brother Tristan.

In hopes to help offset the cost of gas for Steve, bills that come with living out of a hospital and from the loss of working, Bonnet set up a GoFundMe for the family.

“I myself have been through a long haul at sick kids and we had a lot of help ourselves,” she said. “You don’t expect it but if you do get it it helps in more ways than just financial. It boosts your spirits knowing people are so willing.”

Bonnet shared the GoFundMe on Saturday and has since raised close to $3,000.

“It feels like people aren’t even thinking twice,” she said. “This is such an outgoing family, so many people are willing to help.”

To donate to the GoFundMe click here.

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