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16--The Canadian Champion, Friday, September 12, 2003 -/McKenzie's first children's book launched tomorrow MWr: ý IlWell-known Miltonian set to introduce some magical characters By JAIME BURNHAM Special ta The Champion ~5iton ch1Idren's ~~* author and artist ÂVL y n d a McKenzie will unveil her first published illustrated children's book at the Kids Craft Café in Oakville tomorrow. The special event will showcase Uic deligbtful words and artwork of Ms McKenzie, wbo bas heen bat-* tling Parkinson's disease since 1987. Over Uic years, from ber home in Milton, McKcnzic bas created hundreds of colourful and encbanting posters, carda and books. "AlUiough 1 am physically clas- sified as diaabled, my mmid stili worka conatantly and 1 have been given Uic gift of banda that stili work moat of Uic tîme," Ms McKenzie says. Her magical ebaracters include a cbubby litIle atigel namned Annabelle. Tomorrow, Ms McKenzie will read from and sign ber first published book in the Annabelle series entitled 'Meet Annabeile'. Partial proceeda of books sold wiil go so thse Jack Research at the University of Toronto. Kids Crafs Café owner Judith Lee invites parents and children to come for a moming coffee and attend thc reading. The café, wbich has a different crafi eacb wcek for its littie customners, will offer a spe- cial anget-themed craft in recogni- tion of Ms McKenzie's Annabelle. "Lynda's art is wonderful," Ms Lee says. "I am really pleased to be able to support this mnspiring indi- vidual witb sucb a great cause." A mother of two, Ms McKcnzie rcceived ber diagnosis 17 years ago while living a very independent life. At the timne she was a single parent and thc owner of a country décor store li Milton. "Parkinsons is an awful disease, stripping its host of mobility, dependability, idependence, livelihood, Uic ability to commsuni- cate and in many cases Uieir self- worth," Ms McKenzie says. The bigla stress of rnnng ber own business foreed Ms McKenzie to sel her sbop and put ber arts and crafts supplies away indefliitely. "I was sure I would neyer lac able to use themt again," she recails. Ms McKenzie then goi involved witb the National Parkiasson's newsletter and eventually becamne the associate editor of the Parkinson's Post. "Obviously playing host to this mntruder has changed my perspec- tive on many things. but 1 cati hon- estly say 1 amn thankful for the patb it bas caused me to take," she says. That path bas taken her across Canada spcaking to Parkinson's support groupa. On her joumey, Ms McKenzie bas met fellow Parkinson's patients Mobammad Ali and Michael J. Fox. She was also the subject of David Suzuki's 1999 documnentary titlcd Parkinson's, Lynda's Story. Eventually Ms McKenzie dusted off her art supplies and returned to ber passion. Her homne is a show- case of ber work witb paintings lin- ing the walls and albums overflow- mng with drawings. "Now my first littie book 'Meet Annabelle' is in priait and 1 am working on several follow up books and spin-offs includmng greeting carda, posters and doils," says Ms MeKetizie. The 'Meet Anssabelle' reading will take place at 10:30.a.m. For mmr information on tomnor- row's event, cail thse Kida Crafi Café at (905) 257-7002. Dr Sven Bacchusci tre-ut 29Mlo ct~<omoiouscas Opening Septemiber 15! 311comerî 2tet*ut 209Mi TeI.905.875 2995 Braces for Children & Aduits 52 Smiles *new patients welcome *flexlble payment plans that last a -noreferrainecessary *call to book your cnutto ~ Lifetime