The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

The Oakville Beaver, Friday June 9, 2006 - 3 Canada is final leg of two-year around the world bicycle trek Continued from page 3 Institute of Oregon - therapy their "Tour de Chloé" included dependent on the family's ability Chile, Argentina, the east coast to come up with $21,000 per of the USA then up to Canada. year to cover her treatment bills. All together, Robin has travRobin, however, is commitelled more than 21,000 kms in ted to raising enough money to 15 countries (Vuillermet 9,000 cover the cost of at least 10 years kms) and almost two years later of treatment. To that end, he has raised $174,000 dollars, created a charitable organizaalmost exclusively on the gention, motivated people and funerosity of fellow firefighters. neled this goodwill into enough Including Oakville Fire positive energy to make a differStation #1, the tour has taken ence in Chloé's life. Robin so far to 244 fire halls The time-consuming dedicaaround the world, each one tion to his daughter's future more than willing to help suprequired Chloé's father to stop port his cause through financial working outside the home, in donations, lodging and contacts addition to relying on a network to local media. of volunteers coming daily to Food to fuel the couple has help with the patterning sesalso been provided, like the sions. Italian dinner and ribs whipped Robin decided to embark on up Wednesday by the Burlington his odyssey shortly after Chloé Laurent Robin on his recumbent bicycle Fire Department. was diagnosed and he saw the "We're all brothers," said hardships his friends were Robin, appreciative of the hospitality and warm enduring. At first, said Vuillermet, their friends welcome he's received everywhere. "Firefighting for thought they were crazy. me is a big family. I'm sure I'll raise the money and Robin chose a recumbent bicycle (invented by a that's good." Frenchman 100 years ago, he said) because it's "the Oakville firefighter Brett Eyers agreed, saying no best bike for a long ride" and easier on his back, legs matter where he's travelled ­ from Australia to and bottom. It also garners attention better than a Singapore ­ firefighters take care of their own. conventional 10-speed, attracting members of the "This further shows the brotherhood among public who end up donating to the cause. The firefighters," said Eyers, adding local firefighters media along the way has also been great, he have offered the visiting couple their homes and explained, and he has also met 140 families strugvehicles. "It's good to know you can go anywhere in gling with West Syndrome, some of whom have in the world and be welcomed by firefighters." turn connected with each other. West Syndrome is neurological disease and During Robin's initial seven-month tour of severe form of epilepsy that subjects Chloé to daily France, Vuillermet was able to work and drive out to spasms and robs her of motor skills and normal visit Robin. Then she got the year off. development. To this day, she still cannot speak nor "We needed to be together," she said. walk. Now a team, the cyclists have experienced bitter To fight this debilitating illness, Chloé's parents cold, bugs, wilting heat and, in Argentina for examChristine and Stephane have dedicated their time to ple, a day where they travelled 180 kms between apply the Patterning method, which - with the help stops. Fortunately, the 14-km route between of several adults - Chloé's brain and body are given Burlington and Oakville provided a welcome break. the pattern of evolution that the spasms disturb. Through it all, though, both say it's the people Little by little, her body processes the movement they've met ­ in addition to all those firefighter and she then is able to progress onto the next stage. meals ­ who have fed their spirits. Thanks to these efforts, Chloé can now crawl, sit "We have a lot of new friends from around the and stand up by herself ­ flying in the face of the world," said Vuillermet. prognosis by her doctors. Robin says that too many people view the world Her parents' only hope is the American through the prism of the negative news media, Patterning method perfected by the Family Reach when in fact there are so many good people out there, plenty of whom they've met firsthand. "The people have been the best part," he said. After leaving Oakville, Robin and Vuillermet will continue on through Ontario and finally end their journey July 23 in Quebec City. They fly out of Montreal Aug. 10 and resume their jobs Sept. 1. Even then, however, their efforts won't be over: with all the photographs they've taken (8,000 and counting at press time) the couple plans to publish a book chronicling their trek and use the proceeds for Chloé's care. Oakville firefighters will also donate the proceeds from this Saturday's car wash (10 a.m.-2 p.m.) at the Central Fire Station, Navy and Randall Streets. To help by donating money, expressing your support and reading about the Isn't a throwaway catchphrase at Organic Garage. In fact, these simple words carry on over 80 years of caring customer service and grocery innovation that is our family legacy. Four generations on, the passion still burns to bring quality foods and the lowest everyday prices to our customers. $ Product of USA Can. #1 Grade 1 00 Cal-O Skinny Brand Organic Carrots Potato or Cor Chips $ 00 bag 1 $ 00 ag t. 85-113g bag Mon. Wed. 9 8 Thurs.-Fri. 9-9 Sat. 8-7 Sun. 10-5 Prices in effect from Saturday, June 10 to Friday, June 16, 2006 Pri 1 www.organicgarage.ca 579 Kerr Street, Oakville Healthier Food... For Less! SAVE $ 1100 SAVE UP TO ON COOLING FACTORY COSTS* 50% Discover New Products 's UP TO 21 SEER RATING UP TO 13 SEER RATING 15 SEER RATING REBATE DO NOT PAY FOR 6 MONTHS** OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK *SEE STORE FOR DETAILS O.A.C. OAKVILLE TOWN CENTRE I 300 North Service Rd. W. at Dorval Oak Town Centre 1 QEW Dorval 905-844-1223 North Service Road