 |
 |
CANADA: Two Outstanding Students Win Scholarship To Study Groundbreaking Program TORONTO, Sept. 3 /CNW/ - Ontario March of Dimes has selected two candidates to receive training in England to help people with physical disabilities lead more active and independent lifestyles. Beth Brydon, from Kings County, Nova Scotia, and Vishali Malhotra, from Toronto, Ontario, are the recipients of this year's Transamerica Life Canada Conductive Education(R) Award. The pair will each receive a $50,000 scholarship to study within a new and growing profession called Conductive Education(R). "From very early on, I knew that I wanted to help people," says Brydon, who was working towards a science degree at Dalhousie University in Halifax when she applied for the scholarship. "When I found out about Conductive Education(R), I knew it was what I wanted to do." Conductive Education(R) (CE) is a learning strategy for children and adults with motor disabilities. Merging elements of education and rehabilitation, CE enables individuals to develop problem-solving skills and techniques, body control, mobility and communication to regain independence. Individuals build self-esteem to continue working on areas of self- improvement. The groundbreaking program, which is offered through Ontario March of Dimes, has been especially beneficial to children with cerebral palsy, and adults who have multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, acquired brain injuries or have survived a stroke. "By pursuing Conductive Education(R), I'll be fulfilling my life-long dream of making a difference in someone else's life," says Malhotra, who completed her first year at York University in Toronto. "I've always wanted to work with people with special needs." Brydon and Malhotra will study at the University of Wolverhampton http://www.wlv.ac.uk in England for three years. Upon graduation, each will become professional Conductors (specialized teachers), working for Ontario March of Dimes. A formal presentation honouring the two scholarship winners will be made at Transamerica's annual Drive For Life Charity Golf Tournament, which is taking place September 20 at Devil's Pulpit Golf Club in Caledon. The Transamerica Life Conductive Education(R) Award is made possible through the sponsorship of Transamerica Life Canada in partnership with Ontario March of Dimes. Today, the company has raised $700,000 through its Drive For Life Charity Golf Tournament, fulfilling its three-year pledge to support Conductor training, service and the development of Conductive Education(R) in Canada. To find out more about Conductive Education(R), and the Transamerica Life Conductive Education(R) Award, visit http://www.dimes.on.ca or call 1-800-263- DIME (3463). Transamerica Life Canada provides Canadians with innovative life insurance and investment products and services. Through a national network of 18,000 independent advisors, Transamerica creates better futures for employees, clients and advisors through our core principles: innovation, discipline and expertise. Transamerica Life Canada is a member of the AEGON Group, one of the world's largest insurers. AEGON N.V. and Transamerica Life Canada have consistently received strong financial ratings from Standard and Poor's, Fitch and A.M. Best Company. In 2003, Transamerica Life Canada earned more than $580 million in life insurance premium income and recorded over $8 billion in total assets under management. Visit http://www.transamerica.ca for more information. Ontario March of Dimes is one of the largest charitable rehabilitation organizations in Ontario, providing a wide range of services across the province to enhance the independence and community participation of people with physical disabilities. For further information: Media Contact: Tom Bartsiokas, Media Relations, ONTARIO MARCH OF DIMES, Provincial Office, 10 Overlea Blvd., Toronto, ON, M4H 1A4 Tel: (416) 425-3463 ext. 240, Fax: (416) 425-1920, E-mail: [log in to unmask] Web site: http://www.dimes.on.ca 1-800-263-DIME(3463), Cell: (416) 305-0084; or: Iliana Arapis, Senior Manager, Communications, AEGON Canada Inc./Transamerica Life Canada, 5000 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON, M2N 7J8 Phone: (416) 883-5416, Fax: (416) 883-5473, [log in to unmask] SOURCE: CNW Telbec (Communiqués de presse), Canada http://www.cnw.ca/fr/releases/archive/September2004/03/c6592.html * * * ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn