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8- The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday December 1, 2007 www.oakvillebeaver.com ErinoakKids client base and budget continues to grow Continued from page 4 enquiring if she'd invited "the Princess." "She (the administrator) then went to a phone, dialed Buckingham Palace and asked for the Princess," laughed Rothney. Not long after, having learned how to properly curtsy and the like, Rothney said Princess Margaret did indeed attend her celebration, was "absolutely gracious" and spent some time having tea with patients in the lodge. "It taught me to just go for it," said Rothney who became director of corporate services for Princess Margaret before her career journey saw her seconded to the Ministry of Health. Yet another twist along the way saw her apply for and secure the job of head of the Halton District Health Council. Then, in the same year elf Special This Se Yours aso n ake M BRA FITTING EXPERT PETITE TO FULL FIGURE AA TO JJ her husband died, Rothney said a headhunter from Toronto contacted her three times about looking at the top job at ErinoakKids. On the third try, the headhunter asked Rothney if she'd be at a health conference in Toronto, where the two spoke, and Rothney found herself promising she'd stop in and visit ErinoakKids en route home. She did and when she walked through the doors, she said she had that feeling again -- and still does every day upon going to work. In the last five years, ErinoakKids' client base has grown from 3,000 to 9,000. Rothney said a measure of a civilization is how it treats its most vulnerable and the entire focus of ErinoakKids is to support all the people who are around the children its serves 24 hours a day, in order to help the children grow to be their best. ErinoakKids, which has expanded to half a dozen rented sites as well as its original headquarters on South Millway Drive in west Mississauga, has become a leader in this region of Ontario for specialized programs. It serves a host of children including those with autism. It also takes the lead in various regional programs including the hearing screening program for infants -- being in charge of the screening of new babies and early intervention services that can even include co-ordinating surgery if needed. Rothney said her annual budget has grown from $7 million to $50 million. Most recently, ErinoakKids is hard at work on a capital campaign to build a new facility -- one that will not only include treatment, but recreation, opportunity for children, and eventually incorporate services for adults, too. It's envisioned as a state of the art therapeutic and wellness centre that can provide a full range of programs, services and integrated support to children with disabilities, including their families which is crucial to children's health care. "He speaks to the ability to participate. He's a happy bear. He's a strong bear. He's growing up with dignity regardless of his challenges." Linda Rothney, president and CEO ErinoakKids speaking of her teddy bear in a wheelchair Think Green. Be Cool. Breathe Easy. r wea Swimsuit eep ras, for Ever s, Sl ! B ybody HUGE CENTRAL AIR & FURNACE $ Up to BEST PRICES EVER! SALE In addition, based on community need, ErinoakKids also plans to size the new facility to allow for the future provision of integrated services and support for adults with physical disabilities. The capital campaign is $60 million, of which the provincial government is expected to kick in $40 million, with the remaining $20 million to be raised in the community. When Rothney isn't working, she's likely to be found running, or with her nose in a book, or travelling somewhere with her other half, Andy Kenyon, a retired senior vice president with CIBC. "I'm a closet historian," laughed Rothney, chuckling even more when asked about her passion for reading. "I have books piled everywhere," she said, adding, "Books are friends," as is Oakville, which has been her home since 1994, a place with a tremendous sense of community that she's proud to call home. Rothney's career path has taken her on a long road from Québec, and Rothney says simply, "Everybody bumps into their career." Anyone entering Rothney's office at ErinoakKids will "bump into" her favourite toy, a teddy bear in a wheelchair. "He speaks to the ability to participate. He's a happy bear. He's a strong bear. He's growing up with dignity regardless of his challenges," she said. Admittedly shy as a child, and still a quiet person, Rothney also admits that she can be tenacious and if she comes across something she knows is right, she will pursue a solution from all angles until she gets it right. At heart is a fair chance for the kids of ErinoakKids, who like the bear in the wheelchair, deserve the chance to grow up to be their best. "There's a quote from Babe Ruth, `You can't beat people who never give up,'" said Rothney. Sorry, wrong number A review of Theatre Sheridan's 110 in the Shade contained the incorrect telephone number for the box office. The correct telelphone number is 905-845-4049. The Oakville Beaver regrets the error and apologizes for any inconvenience it may have caused. 4700 AND * Cash Back UP TO $2400 GOV. CASH BACK · Sexy Silks · Elegant Robes · Cozy Cottons · Flannel PJ's UP TO $1500 MANUFACTURERS CASH BACK + NO PAYMENT! NO INTEREST! 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