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www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, December 16, 2011 · 22 Oakville's Dean is Pride and Joy of ErinoakKids By Nathan Howes OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Rachel Dean has known the joys of being an ErinoakKid since she was 14. The 19-year-old Oakville resident was honoured for her achievements in personal progress at the foundation's Pride and Joy Awards. Dean received the Reaching New Heights Award -- given to youth ages 16 and older who lead by example as advocates in the community to develop skills for employment or volunteerism. "It makes me feel really good. I'm very happy to be recognized by ErinoakKids, who I've been working with since Grade 8. It feels good to get recognition from them because they're very close to my heart," said Dean. "They've been very helpful with anything I may need -- whether it's at home or in school, (or) getting ready to go to university. (In) all stages of my life there is a great team of people there that I can always turn to for help and it means a lot to me." Dean raised money for various causes -- anti-bullying awareness, a relief effort to aid victims of the hurricane in Guatemala and for breast cancer research. She was also a participant and goal support worker with the organization's Independent Living Program (ILP). The young woman has faced many physical challenges since being confined to a powered wheelchair in high school -- Dean was born with Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy. She can't walk and has limited strength in her upper body, so she is unable to lift heavy things, she said. "I needed all types of accommodations ­ like appropriate desks and extra time for tests because I get tired when Rachel Dean I'm handwriting a lot. That kind of stuff in school has been a challenge, but I've found ways around that," said Dean. "Everything else I'm learning to work around, and I have a great support system of family and friends that help me with anything else I need." ErinoakKids helps children and youth with physical, developmental and communication disabilities achieve optimal levels of independence, learning, health and wellbeing. The organization builds on their strengths and maximizes opportunities for independence. "They teach me (about) different equipment I can have at home that makes me be more independent at school. I was also a part of (the) Independent Living Program where teenagers go for two weeks to learn how to be independent, use attendant services (and) go to post-secondary education," said Dean. The program partners with Able Living to help youth aged 16 to 19 with physical or developmental challenges to live independently for two weeks in a supported environment to develop living skills. Information sessions educate them on accessible housing options, community safety skills, advocacy skills, and relationships, among other things. Dean learned many essential life skills during her stay at Oakville's Sheridan College residence -- everything from using attendant-care services and cooking, to using accessible transportation, applying to post-secondary institutions and managing money. "My favourite thing was actually on the first night. We participated in wheelchair sports, like basketball (and) bocce ball ­ different types of sports for people with disabilities," said Dean. "Also just making friends there I still talk to today; it's a very great program." The ErinoakKid is now in her second year at Carleton University in Ottawa, studying pre-law and history. She hopes to go to law school once she graduates. When she's not doing homework, she likes to play hockey. Dean is an active player in the Ottawa Power Wheelchair Hockey League ­ a sport she will stick with after learning it through ErinoakKids. "Just because you have a disability, it doesn't mean you can't do everything that everyone else can do. There's ways around everything -- whether it would be getting involved in sports or going to university. "You just have to take a different path to get there. That's mainly what they taught me -- all these great things that can help me achieve all my goals." ErinoakKids serves close to 12,000 children annually at its treatment and development centre, which is Ontario's largest children's treatment centre. For more information on ErinoakKids, visit www. erinoakkids.ca.