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www.oakvillebeaver.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, June 11, 2010 · 8 Giving their son the best By Nathan Howes OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF The parents of 12-year-old Spencer McGillivray are hoping a fundraiser they are hosting this weekend will make life a little easier for their son, who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at birth. Routine things such as getting up in the morning, dressing, washing, eating, going to school and even playing all require assistance for Spencer. The funds to be raised this weekend will allow the McGillivrays to take Spencer to Kelowna, B.C. this summer for a two-week intense therapy program -- Masgutova Neuro-sensory-motor Reflex Integration (MNRI). In Kelowna, Spencer will see both Dr. Svetlana Masgutova, an expert on the MNRI program and her specialist, Beverly Hunter. In the program, Spencer will be in treatment for six hours a day and will be seen by six different people. The McGillivray family is holding the Steps for Spencer fundraiser Saturday, June 12 at Le Dome Banquet Hall in Oakville. "He is a very happy go-lucky kid. It doesn't take much to make him laugh or smile," said Glenn McGillivray, Spencer's father. "[But] you never know what's going on in their mind. I think he gets frustrated at times, trying to communicate and do things on his own," admitted his dad. Spencer has achieved some improvements over the last few months thanks to a list of exercises recommended by a doctor. "Some of the things we see -- like he's sitting up on his own a little bit better. Some of his speech has improved a little bit as well," said McGillivray. "He used to call his sister, Samantha, `mantha', and now he calls her `Tomantha'." "They've also been taking him for swimming lessons. He seems to be using his arms a lot more." Spencer is in Grade 7 at St. John School in Oakville. Just like many of his peers at his age, he loves to play Nintendo Wii and watch movies. His favourite Wii games involve driving, such as Disney/Pixar's Cars and Mario Kart. His favourite movies are also driving-related, such as Cars and the entire Herbie collection. In fact, Spencer loves anything with a steering wheel and a motor. He also loves to talk. "He really engages people and asks a lot of questions about people, their lives and whether they are a mom or a dad, or if they have any kids," said McGillivray. "He has a standard list of questions he always talks to people about." The therapy program the family plans to use helps to improve everyday functioning by strengthening the nervous system, among other benefits it provides. The cost of the program is $1,000 a day for 10 days, plus the cost of airfare and accommodation. It is expected the entire trip will cost approximately $16,000. The family plans to take Spencer in the second half of July. His parents hope that with the NIKKI WESLEY / OAKVILLE BEAVER assistance of the therapy program, Spencer will be able to improve on FAMILY PLANS: Spencer McGillivray, 12, has cerebral palsy. Spencer's parfunctions he wasn't able to do ents Sandra and Glenn McGillivray are hosting a fundraiser to help take Spencer before, such as crawling. to Kelowna, B.C. this summer for a two-week intensive therapy program. See Program page 11 TORONTO FRENCH SCHOOL Campuses in Toronto & Mississauga TFS graduates are internationally-minded bilingual leaders. Aaron started TFS in Grade 7 with no prior knowledge of French. Aaron is an accomplished and cultivated global citizen. He represented the School as Head Boy, was the Communications Prefect and a member of the percussion, wind and jazz ensembles. And he played on TFS' competitive basketball team for seven years. He was also a volunteer mentor for Youth Assisting Youth. Aaron's other TFS accomplishments: Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award Recipient of a merit scholarship from Oberlin College Candidate for a Bilingual International Baccalaureate Diploma Offered admittances to the University of Toronto, Queen's University, the Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario and McGill University, among others in Canada, as well as Oberlin College, Grinnell College, Wesleyan University, Colgate University and Hamilton College in the US, Aaron had a tough choice to make. But lured by its academic rigour, Aaron has decided to attend Wesleyan University where he will pursue an undergraduate degree in the liberal arts. If education means the world to you. 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RBG member: $5/ ight, dmissi io pplie G e be $5/ni t, ber: RBG memb RBG member's Music Passport: $32.25 mber b usic assport: ic p t: .25 2 Volunteer for Conservation l i Saturday, June 19 10 a m ; aturday Ju 19; t d y June a.m.; a.m. Pri Princess i t Princess Point ince Help RBG restore P incess P i t t lp rest tore Princess Poin to to Pri Point a tallgrass prairie by planting prairie tallg tallgrass p irie by lanti p irie i tin ing i grasses and wildflowers B ing a trowel and wildflowers Bri g rowel ildflowers. if you have one Held rain or shine. y one. eld rai l in shi hin ine BECOME A MEMBER Memberships has many benefits. Buy or renew at www.rbg.ca DAILY ADMISSION -- Adult: $12.50; Senior/Student: $9.50; Child (age 5 to 12): $7.25; Family: $32.25; Child under age 5 and RBG members: FREE "The world is becoming more open. Being able to communicate in another language is such an advantage." Pour une éduc ation ouverte sur le monde. To read about other remarkable TFS graduates, visit www.tfs.ca/graduates Admissions (416) 484-6533, ext. 4247 RBG Centre 680 Plains Road West, Hamilton/Burlington 905-527-1158