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14 - The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday May 16, 2007 www.oakvillebeaver.com Living Oakville Beaver LIVING EDITOR: ANGELA BLACKBURN Phone: 905-845-3824, ext. 248 Fax: 905-337-5567 e-mail: angela@oakvillebeaver.com · WEDNESDAY, MAY 16, 2007 Jack turns lemons into lemonade By Angela Blackburn OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF LIESA KORTMANN / OAKVILLE BEAVER PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT: Jack Yeilding and his cousin Abby Morneau practise at the booth he'll operate at Jack's Lemonade and Garage Sale Saturday, May 26 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at his house at 2394 Sandstone Dr. (west of Third Line and south of Dundas Street) to raise money for Kids Believe in SickKids. Building a Global Village Yes, I would like to donate to HABITAT FOR HUMANITY CANADA! Please help Habitat for Humanity Canada Global Village team member Shirley Brush provide a `Dream Come True' for a family in Central America this summer! Four-year-old Jack Yeilding is turning lemons into lemonade -- literally. He'll do it -- and everyone's invited -- at Jack's Garage Sale and Lemonade Stand to be held at his 2394 Sandstone Dr. home (west of Third Line and south of Dundas) Saturday, May 26 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. It's to benefit the Kids Believe in SickKids program that sees children fundraising for Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children -- Jack hopes to raise $1,000. "The people are all sick and this helps them feel better and makes children happy," said Jack during a practice session of pouring without spilling. Jack, who has epilepsy, was featured last June in The Oakville Beaver when he and his family delivered a big Thank You to the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) workers who had -- and continue -- to help both Jack and his family countless times when he has seizures. Jack was two and a half when his dad David was out of town and his mom Jodi was getting ready for work when he went unconscious in his high chair. Jodi had no idea what was happening, quickly called 911 and so began a journey of the family dealing with outstanding EMS workers, staff who go beyond the call of duty at Sick Kids hospital and learning to deal with epilepsy. Jodi is determined Jack not be defined by epilepsy, but incorporate it into his life as a challenge like the many challenges others deal with in life. It was hoped that Jack's epilepsy would go away as often childhood epilepsy can. As time passes the likelihood decreases, but Jodi said there's always that hope. Jack's epilepsy has now been deemed intractable, which means maximum medical treatment is not having much effect. A special diet will be tried to see if it makes a difference -- as it has in many cases -- and Jack is being worked up or prepared for brain surgery, which is still a long way off, said Jodi, but remains the best hope for a cure for childhood epilepsy that doesn't go away. Jack has daily seizures, some lasting only a short time, others which last as long as 15 minutes, require an ambulance ride to hospital and see Jack turn blue. "Despite the seizures, taking medication four times each day, and enduring countless tests and painful procedures, Jack remains a happy and loving four year old. He loves school, riding his new blue bike, and even looks forward to going to SickKids because the doctors and nurses are so kind to him there," said Jodi, noting that's a testament to the hospital. "It is this kindness that has made Jack excited to get involved with Kids Believe in SickKids. This program was launched in 2005 to assist and encourage kids to get involved in fundraising activities to support SickKids. Through it, Jack is learning his efforts make a difference to his community and to the thousands of children who live with illness and injury," said Jodi who believes her son will be the youngest contributor to the fundraising program. Her son is also learning that while yes his seizures are quite a thing to struggle with and make for a tough situation, they are one part of life and there are lots of kids who deal with challenges of all kinds. Not long after Jack's diagnosis, his parents, who also have a one-year-old son Christopher, installed cameras in his bedroom and in the basement so they can keep tabs on him. Jodi continues to carry medication in a decorative necklace she wears. Jodi said Jack is aware of kids who "live at the hospital" and while he has expressed sadness about his seizures, he appreciates that he doesn't live at the hospital. The fact that he's is going to operate his lemonade stand to help other kids has given his self-esteem a tremendous boost, said his mom. And that's being augmented from support from all around town. Jack and his dad spent more than two weeks working with tools, rulers and paint to build Jack's blue and white, red and yel See Good page 16 Please make your cheque payable to HABITAT FOR HUMANITY CANADA and make reference to "Shirley's Happy Homes" and mail it to: Habitat for Humanity Canada 40 Albert Street, Waterloo, ON N2L 3S2 Thank you very much for your support! Income tax receipts will be issued for all donations. Charitable Registration #11895 0120 RR0001