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economist sunisuntribwn community saturday dec 4 2004 ell funding makes learning disabilities programs possible by joan ransberry staff writer its a lifelong condition a child with a learning disability grows into a youth with a learning disability and then becomes an adult with a learning disability last year 8000 people came through the door at the learning disability association of york region some were adults and some were children with learning disabili ties some were parents and some were teachers every one came for support offered through the united way agency one in 10 people has a learning disability lynn ziraldo executive director of the association said it can be hard to diagnose because you cant see it the nonprofit association oper ates with four parttime staff two fullumers and many hours donated by volunteers at 11181 yonge st in richmond hill of the associations 250000 annual budget 74000 comes from the united way without the united way fund ing we wouldnt be able to offer the critical programs that we do mrs ziraldo said volunteers with the association come from all walks of life includ ing education and business some are people with learning disabilities pat craig has been a volunteer for five years she teaches a 10week parenting course it involves taking good parent ing skills and adjusting them to chil dren with learning disabilities mrs craig said the volunteer sendee gives mrs craig a chance to share her knowl edge and expertise in education she was a special education teacher in york region for 30 years before retiring the last 10 years were spent at thornhill secondary school i get as much as i give mrs craig said it is a wonderful experi ence i learn from the parents when taking the course parents find out that they are not alone the group really comes together mrs craig has also worked with people with learning disabilities ive worked oneonone with adults i helped them understand learning disabilities she said since learning disabilities can affect how a person interprets remembers understands and expresses information mrs craigs volunteer time is critical its important to know that peo ple with learning disabilities are intelligent and have abilities to learn despite difficulties in processing information ms ziraldo said i living with a learning disability can have an impact on friendships school work self esteem and daily life ms ziraldo said people with learning disabilities can succeed when solid coping skills and strate gies are developed she said clients are referred by doctors and educators while some just walk in on their own mrs ziraldo said adding were here to help the association provides an interactive environment offering workshops courses and support groups to clients or to parents teachers and doctors 77ie united way of york region is in the throes of its annual campaign the united way has raised 37 million representing 55 per cent of this years 6 75million goal to donate log on to wwwuvjyronca or call 9054749974 or 18772414516 staff photosjoerd witteveen learning disabilities are difficult to diagnose because theyre unseen learning disability association of york region director lynn ziraldo says natures place health food store we carry products from the following companies green natural factors nulife integrity marketing win win win oiit basket enter the draw no purchase necessary monday seniors da noqst no pst providing health with natural health products with competitive pfvccs we carry all kinds of supplements vitamins minerals herbs herbal teas food items homeopathic remedies herbal natural beauty products etc 0 cc c a 0 o o 3 16th ave o hwy7 i this months gift basket winner is barb hanson i i i i 107 main st north ont ph 905-294- 1 5qo the gift a round of golf at wooden sticks wrapped up with a logo golf shirt and hat or a logo fleece all at a special holiday price cau the proshop at 905 8524379 vfc43jsjj8b5rl isgggisijjsjail visit woodenstickscom for details about the new cabins at wooden sticks limited quantities available av now theres more i 1 ii bonnie stern is back with more heartsmart recipes theyre nutritious and delicious available at your local heart and stroke foundation office heart and stroke foundation of ontario this message brought to you as a community service of the economist sun