The Amazing Backstory On The Wheelchair Accessible Swings Being Installed At Riverview Park & Zoo

James and Jennifer Todd had a dream to have wheelchair accessible swings be installed at Riverview Park & Zoo's playground area, and that dream is now becoming a reality.

"We're hoping to have the swings installed and ready for use in about two weeks," the Zoo's Manager & Curator Jim Moloney tells PTBOCanada. "The swings were completely paid for with funds raised by James and Jennifer, who spearheaded this project."

James Todd tells PTBOCanada how the couple came up with the idea to do this:

"Two years ago, we were planning a picnic at the zoo for us and some friends, and my wife realized that our one friend Jenn had a son in a wheelchair. We started asking ourselves what was really offered for him to enjoy there on the playground.

That is when we decided that Peterborough needed wheelchair swings. We phoned the zoo, and talked with the curator Jim about possibilities. That day, a GoFundMe campaign was started, and we figured we'd help with raising maybe $1,000 towards some new swings.

I received an email the next day from Ed Arnold from the Examiner and learned that the pro hockey alumni was donating $2,500 to the cause. Mr. Arnold's article on that Monday morning sparked another $1,000 anonymous donation and started the GoFoundMe getting a lot of attention, including the CBC in Toronto.

A collection at a Peterborough Lakers game generated a fair bit, as well as another anonymous donation of $2,500, and a major donation from the Fowlers Lions/Lioness weekly cruise night. We received donations from as far as New Jersey, and before we knew it, we were over $16,500! We had landscaping donated as well to remove a tree where the swings are being installed.

The zoo still has a cost for fencing, fixing asphalt and the ground covering, so any donations are still extremely appreciated, and can be arranged through the Zoo."
 

Todd tells PTBOCanada he knew it would be a challenge for these swings to be created, but is ecstatic with the results and how the community got behind this:

"We couldn't be happier at the work of the curator Jim, and the swing manufacturer for making this happen. We cannot wait to see people from all over use these swings.

In some cases, it will be the first time a child, teen, or an adult has ever been on a swing."

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Peterborough's Two Special Needs Hockey Teams Just Played Against Each Other For First Time Ever

History was made in Peterborough on Saturday morning (January 28th) as the Kawartha Komets Juniors played against Electric City Maroon & White at the Evinrude Centre in a battle between the city's two special needs hockey teams—the first time they had ever played each other.

Kawartha Komets coach David Fisher & Electrick City coach Chris J-Boy Williams

"This was a huge event and such a step forward between the clubs with nothing but smiles and happiness on the ice which is what special needs hockey is all about," Coach J-Boy Williams says, adding "A big thanks to Carol and David Fisher for inviting us to play and cheers to a bright future and many more friendly games between us!"

Here are pictures Eileen Kimmet captured of an emotional day these parents, kids and coaches will never forget...

The game was a nailbiter, ending in a 6-6 tie.

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There Is An Amazing Race For Youth Happening In Peterborough As Part Of Snofest

Join the fun on Saturday, January 21st, 2017 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. as teams will race to finish tasks at 10 different pit stops all located downtown in an Amazing Race that is part of Snofest activities.

Teams must visit each pit stop and perform a task before they will receive their next clue. The Top 3 teams to finish the race will win cash prizes.

Snofest file photo courtesy City of Peterborough

ALL THE IMPORTANT DETAILS ABOUT THE RACE

-> The race starts at 2 p.m. sharp from The LOFT, Downtown Youth Space room #15 at PACE@PCVS, 201 McDonnel Street.
-> Players must be between the ages of 13 to 19 to participate.
-> There is no registration fee.
-> Teams will consist of 2 players.
-> Yummy free pizza and hot chocolate will be provided at the LOFT, Downtown Youth Space at the end of race.
-> To register your team, email estewart@peterborough.ca or call 705.742.7777 x 1805 or text 705.927.7046.

All teams must pre-register. The registration deadline is Thursday, January 19th, 2017 at 4:30 pm.

Snofest file photo courtesy City of Peterborough

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The Invisible Bully: Peterborough Boy Pens Powerful Letter About Living With A Concussion

The PVNCCDSB shared a powerful letter on their Facebook page (see in its entirety below) from Grade 6 St. Catherine Catholic Elementary School student Jack Crawford. The 11-year-old, who plays hockey for the Minor Peewee AA Petes, wrote about what it's like to live with a concussion—"I had my own invisible bully in my brain but I couldn’t stand up to it," he eloquently says.

His mother Amelia tells PTBOCanada seeing her child suffering through this was devastating: "A concussion is a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), and 'traumatic' would be how I would describe this experience as a parent. To see your child suffer physically, socially and emotionally is devastating. I would tell Jack over and over again that 'God always has a way of making something good come from difficult.' Now that Jack has had a chance to tell his story, he truly feels like good has come from his struggle, which is amazing."

Jack Crawford

Here is the letter Jack wrote...

I am very lucky kid. I have a great family, I have lots of good friends, I play on a great hockey team, and school is fun. I am grateful for all of these things, but something happened to me that has changed how I felt about everything.

About one year ago, while I was outside playing, I ran straight into a pole. It sounds funny, it probably even looked funny, but it was a big deal and it changed my life. I suffered from a pretty bad concussion, and I had no idea what impact it would have on me. I thought a concussion was just a big headache, but it was so much more than that.

For about a week after my concussion, I had to miss school and after-school activities. I slept for days. I couldn’t stand to be near a light, see a screen, read or do anything that I had to focus on. I slowly started to feel okay but I was very frustrated when I started to feel a bit better and I couldn’t do anything. No TV, no reading, no screens. All I was allowed to do was go outside and walk.

I went back to school a couple weeks later, and I thought because I felt good enough to go back to school that I was totally better. I didn’t realize concussions lasted a long time. The sound of the bell bothered me and I couldn’t go out on the schoolyard because it felt like there was too much going on. My relationships with my friends seemed strange and I was really sensitive about everything. I felt like people were making me sad a lot easier than before. I was acting funny and I never thought before I spoke.

When people joked around with me I thought they were being serious and took it personally. I wasn’t myself. I tried to be cool but I was just being bold and weird. I was angry at myself for not being ‘me.’ Whenever I woke up in the morning I told myself, ‘This is a new day and I can be myself again.’ But, I would come home from school or hockey crying all the time. It seemed to me that everyone I was around didn’t like me. It was like I had my own invisible bully in my brain but I couldn’t stand up to it.

My parents did lots of things to try to help me feel better, but nothing seemed to be helping me. I was still getting good grades in school, but I could feel I didn’t have the same ability. I was missing important details because I was getting so distracted. I had trouble focusing, something changed with my concentration. Even when I was on the ice (which is my favourite place to be), I wasn’t able to pay attention. I would always be upset with myself because of that. I knew I was missing little key notes in drills, but I couldn’t do anything about it. I would cry every night after hockey because when my coaches tried to give me advice I felt like they were disappointed with me, because I was frustrated. They were really just trying to help me like they always do.

Nobody ever knew I was so upset all the time (except for my family) because I wouldn’t break down in front of anyone else. All of this happened because a bump to my head! I think it would be easier to have a cast because then everyone would see that I had something wrong with me. But I looked fine so people just thought I was being weird.

I am feeling better now. I had massages, I went to a chiropractor, my doctor, and did different vision exercises to help my brain speed. My parents make sure I eat better (because I wanted sugar all the time) and I always get lots of sleep now. So, I don’t know what made me get better, but I am glad I feel more like myself again.

I still get tired really easily, my attention still isn’t where it was before, and I know I am not the same as I was before, but that’s okay. I just want other kids to know that one concussion changed my life. I want other kids to know that even if you are feeling well enough to play sports again doesn’t mean your ability to learn and emotions are all back to normal.

I am lucky that I feel way better now. —by Jack Crawford

Jack's mom Amelia reiterates to parents the importance of taking a concussion seriously:

"My plea to other parents would be to not underestimate the devastating short and long-term effects of concussion. Your son/daughter might be upset about missing sports or activities, but our job is not to please our children—it's to protect them. Please listen to coaches, doctors, educators and, most importantly, your child, if a concussion is suspected."

PVNC has great concussion resources available here.

**Please share this post with others that you think would be interested in learning what it's like to experience this.

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Maryam Monsef Encourages Businesses To Apply For Funding Through Canada Summer Jobs Program

The Government of Canada recently announced that it is fulfilling its commitment to double the number of summer jobs to be created for students, helping them build a stronger future and obtain the skills and experience they need to contribute to our collective economic growth.

Funding for the Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) program is also doubling to $220 million annually for the next three years beginning this year. This new funding will help expand the number of youth who can be hired from just over 34,000 in 2015 to up to 70,000 this summer.

According to a release from MP Maryam Monsef, in Peterborough-Kawartha the priorities focus on skilled trades, tourism, arts and culture, and community celebrations but all eligible applicants are encouraged to apply.

Says Monsef: "I encourage small businesses, not-for-profit organizations, and public sector employers in Peterborough-Kawartha to apply for funding through Canada Summer Jobs program so that we can help our students gain the skills and experience they need to be successful, while supporting employers who need additional staff for the summer.”

The application period opened on January 4th, 2016 and has been extended until March 11th, 2016. Applicants approved for funding will be able to hire students as early as May 2016.

For further information and to apply, visit servicecanada.gc.ca/csj or visit a Service Canada Centre.
 

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10th Annual Cop Shop At Lansdowne Place Was Everything Amazing About This Community

Lansdowne Place's 10th annual Cop Shop event—a beautiful partnership between Peterborough Police and LP—was another huge success on Wednesday (December 9th).

Chief Murray Rodd and officers greet the kids

Each year, select kids are picked up from their school in a limousine and taken to the mall, where they are met by Peterborough Police officers who become their personal shoppers for the day.

"We work with the school boards to identify kids that despite various challenges have risen above and excelled in school," Helen Edwards, Marketing Director with Lansdowne Place, tells PTBOCanada.

"These kids are brought in by limo, given a $200 Lansdowne Place gift card and then partnered with an officer who becomes their personal shopper for the day."

Lansdowne Place donates the gift card to each child, who might arrive with a list of gifts they wish to purchase, or work with their officer to decide what to shop for.

"Our tenants donate gifts or offer great discounts," Helen Edwards tells PTBOCanada. "Tim Hortons provides breakfast, all the officers are volunteering their time, Welsh Limo donates the transportation and we donate gift cards, a new winter coat for each child and Stockings for each child."

It was amazing to see all the police officers who volunteered to be part of this special day, and to the mall's retailers for donating gifts and discounts.

Says LP's Helen Edwards: "Quite simply, this event is our way of giving back to a community that has given us so much. It is our favourite day to come to work, not because of what we give the kids but because of how we continue to be inspired by these amazing kids year after year. They remind us what Christmas really is all about."

It was a day that the kids—and community—will never forget. Here's the group photo...

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