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B2 THE OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday June 21,2000 Resident speaks highly o fMarch o fDim es Doreen White symbolizes how the Ontario March of Dimes (OMD) is helping to make Oakville more accessi ble for people with physical disabilities. She was a special guest at Friday's Fifth anniversary of the Jean and Howard Caine Apartment. The Jean and Howard Caine Apartments, built in 1995 by the Ontario March of Dimes Non-Profit Housing Corporation, provides inde pendence for people like her with phys ical disabilities. The building's 59 units are accessible and affordable, one and two-bedroom apartments. Of these, 24 are attendant service suites and are fully modified, featuring the latest in accessible design features. These suites have automatic door closers, wheel-in shower stalls and special call features so that tenants with disabilities can maximize their independence, OMD operates a 24-hour, on-call attendant services in the building. "I always know I can call on some body and that is very comforting," says White, a resident at the accessible building. "I feel very safe." One of the first people to move in to the Jean and Howard Caine apartments, White was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1988. She was told about the personal care support services OMD provides, but while she was still walking, she was hesitant to move out of her house and give up the service she received there. Over the years, the need for 24-hour attendant service eventually became a reality. "I could no longer live in my house alone," White said. "Here, I can get assistance when I need it, but I'm also independent. I can just get on my scoot er and go shopping downtown. The building and surrounding area is beauti fully accessible." There are also meetings and infor mation sessions for apartment resi dents, which have included a stress management session and massage ther apy. "We have a lot of resources avail able to us right in the building," White said. "But we also have as much priva cy as we need." The remaining apartments are also accessible, and the tenants include adults with and without disabilities. Features such as wide doorways, large bathrooms and user-friendly window controls have been incorporated into the building's design. Other special fea tures include accessible balconies, low ered wall ovens and roll-out kitchen cupboard units with heat-proof sur faces. The Jean and Howard Caine Apartments is located in the heart of downtown Oakville minutes from the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts, Oakville Public Library, shops and, during the summertime, there is always a myriad of activities to chose from. The building was named in recogni tion of Oakville resident and business person Jean Caine and her late husband Howard Caine in recognition of their long-standing commitment to rehabili tation and disability issues. D o re e n W h ite New campaign launched at OMD building anniversary Howard Caine Apartments is to not only provide independent liv ing with attendant services, but to Jean Caine took Dr. David also integrate its tenants into the Logan, president of the Ontario community, something Mayor March of Dimes Non-Profit Ann Mulvale views as a "wel Housing Corporation, by surprise come addition to our community." when she handed him a cheque for She vowed to continue having $1,000 at Friday's fifth anniver the sidewalks and curbs improved sary of the Jean and Howard Caine for wheelchair and scooter use. Apartments. "I've seen these people going "I would like to make this first in and out of the pubs and the donation in memory of my daugh stores," continued Caine. Photo by Wilma Blokhuis ter Pam," she said. "Oakville has been enriched. Dr. David Logan, president of the Ontario March of The donation is to start a fund This experiment is successful Dimes Non-Profit Housing Corporation, accepts a to build more housing similar to because of the people who live donation of $1,000 from Jean Caine, launching a cam the accessible apartment building here, a lot having made the leap of paign to raise funds to build more buildings similar to named for her and her late hus faith to independent living. the Jean and Howard Caine Apartments. band Howard Caine. "I'm just bursting with pride," concluded Caine. "I want to start a fund to building independent housing centres across Ontario." Ted Gittings, who has a son liv ing in the Jean and Howard Caine Apartm e n t s , announced he would like to make the second donation. "I know I speak for all of the parents and families of the residents when I say how much we appreciate it," he Garden Gallery makes water gardening easy with this said of his son's easy-to-install starter k it fust add the water, plants and apartment. fish of your choice and your pond will be all set. Includes `This building Laguna Tahoe (150 gal) Preformed Pond, Power Jet 1,000 is everything we Pump, Water Treatment Kit and Power Flow Filter. had hoped it would be," said Dr. Logan. "We've proven that we can inte grate this build ing and its tenants Save now on all your favourite perennials. The experts in the communi at Garden Gallery can help you plan a garden that will ty." bring you years of joy and beauty. Choose from over He added the 100 different garden favourites. 4" pot. March of Dimes has a long wait ing for this type of housing. The pilot pro ject was a "long time dream of my mother Pam," said Andy Stokes. "What she taught us, the community as a Great value on Garden Gallery quality Clematis vines feature a spectacular whole, is that annual flowers for instant colour in display of large blooms in a wide we're all just peo your garden. Choose from all the array of colours. They take up little ple. traditional favourites. Selection may space and are extremely vigorous. "We're not vary from store Prefer full sun but people without to store. 48 cool, shaded roots. 1 J legs, or without plants per flat. J ^ ^ 1 gallon pot. ^ arms, people who Regular to 12.99 walk or roll, we're just people. "And, it's all about people liv ing together as Pine Bark human beings, some with differ Nuggets ent challenges. Prevents compacting of soil Sprinklers Nobody over and suppress weeds in your Save now on top quality Garden Gallery Keep your lawn looking great came this better garden. 2 cubic feet. Annuals. Choose from Geraniums, w ith one of our sturdy sprinklers, than Pam. 3.99 each or... Begonias, Impatiens, Proven "We'll be Winners and more. AA inspired by her Regular to 2.49 each for a long time to continue the fight for people living with disabilities." Terry Cooke, regional chair for B U Y IN B U L K ! Ha mi l t o n X i Wentworth and YO RK RD. #1 Fine Grade i formerly with the Used for top dressing, flower beds, new planting and container gardening. HOLLAND O L Y M P IC DR. M Ontario March of TM PARK Dimes for 11 I M« I 7 DAY FLORAL DELIVERY ^ 1 cu. yd. M A IN S T. W I S T years, said "Pam AT BOTH LOCATIONS burned with pas Earn $20.00 cash bonus 3 « u y ds 4 U y ds sion" to have B U R L IN G T O N DUNDAS certificate w hen you accumulate these apartments 2243 Fairview St. 294 York Rd. Driveway & Soil Cover $400.00 In purchases. See build - his last - protects your driveway and the soil. project before for the GREEN i,vstore fo r complete details. leaving the · We Deliver 7 Days A Week Store Hours: Store Hours: Visit U i At... agency for poli · Crow For The Green Bonus Applies Mon. to Fri. 8am-9pm Mon. to Frl. 9am-9pm tics. N ote:M inlm um 2 cu. yds. to Dundas and West H am ilton. M inim u m 1 cu. yd. to hollandpark IT* Sat. & Sun. 8am-6pm Sat. & Sun. 9am-6pm Burlington, W aterdown and Bronte. Inquire about delivery to outlying areas. i J ORECT "Pamela will V V IBWMfrlT always be a men tor of mine." BEAVER FOCUS EDITOR By W ilm a Blokhuis The building was inspired by their daughter, the late Pamela Caine Stokes, who despite being confined to a wheelchair because of polio, was a tireless advocate for accessible, independent living for the physically disabled. The $8 million, 59-unit barrierfree apartment building at the cor ner of Trafalgar Road and Robinson Street, is the first project built by the Ontario March of Dimes Non-Profit Housing Corporation. It was through their daughter that the Caines became very active in disability issues. Caine Stokes was a member of the Ontario March of Dimes board of directors and its Committee for Barrier Free Design when the project was built. Now in a wheelchair herself, the result of suffering a stroke, Caine feels she's taken her late daughter's place, finding herself in need of assistance while still wanting to maintain her indepen dence. "I've discovered how much you depend on friends and family when you need help," she told the gathering of mostly residents many in wheelchairs and scooters - at a reception held at Knox Presbyterian Church. "Without services, we can't live decently." 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