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But the opposite is true as the doctors, nurses and staff at Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto made her stay as comfortable as possible despite the incredible pain she faced. And the experiâ€" ence moved her so much she and a bunch of neighâ€" bourhood friends decided to hold a carnival to raise money in support of the Sick Kids Hospital program that helped speed up her recovery. fter spending nine A-\'.\'(*(-ks in hospital ecovering from surgery to correct a severe curvature of her spine and some [)[ls['()pt'l'ii‘i\'t' comâ€" plications, you‘d think that Chantelle Boppré wouldn‘t be a big fan of the experiâ€" ence. Together they raised $555 to help other children who face long stays at the hospital, and Chantelle is planning to present the nurses and youth worker that helped her with a cheque when she visits the hospital this week. Chantelle‘s _ medical problems started last August when doctors noticed that the slight 12â€"yearâ€"old‘s spine curved at a 51 degree angle, and was quickly degenerat ing every week. Local girl and friends hold fundraiser for Sick Kids "She was progressing at a 10 degree curvature every month ." said mom Stephante. "The average child suffering from this problem progresses at 10 degrees per vear "We drdn‘t know why this happened, but by the time she had her surgery it had ‘llflg!l'\\l'd to 93 degrees By that tuime Chantelle was in great pain and could Giving back "It was really scary at first because I was pretty afraid of the surgery." The end of summer doesn‘t mean the end of mosquitoes. We think of Labout Day as the end of snmmer. But mosquntoes can pose a threat well into September: Soat‘s important to protect yourself and your children as we all resume normal work and school schedules Many doctors offices, climes, pharmacies and grocery stores have pamphilets explaming steps you can fake to profect yourself and your chuldren You can also call 1â€"877â€"234â€"4343 (TTY 1â€"800â€"387â€"5559) or visit HealthyOntario.com. â€" Chantelle Boppré former Sick Kids Hospital patient By Bos VrBanac Chronicle Staff n‘t wait for the surgery to put in two steel rods 0 help stabilize her spine. Slated in January. the recovery time from the surgery was supâ€" posed to leave her hospitalâ€" ized for threeâ€"andâ€"aâ€"half weeks, but in her weakened condition she also susceptiâ€" ble to some postâ€"operative complications that left a blockage in one of her arterâ€" les. Chantelle would have to stay in hospital until she gained some weight, and the blockage could be cleared. That took another fiveâ€"andâ€"aâ€"half weeks as her family including dad Tony and sister Michelle waited at her bed side. But what could have turned into an emotional draining experience was buffered by the support that Chantelle got from Sick Kids Hospital staff. Chanelie Boppré, pictured centre with her back brace, got the support of her family and friends to hold a special fundraiser for Sick Kids Hospital, where she was a former patient "It was really scary at first because 1 was pretty afraid of the surgery," said Chantelleâ€" "But then it turned into a really cool experience "I got to know the nurses and stuff and it was totally fun. They made it a lot easi et for me." They kept her acoupred OIFESITYLE "They made the best of a bad situation," said dad Tony. "They really made her feel at home, and they let Stephanie and 1 stay right there in Chantelle‘s room whenever we were there." with games and activities, while the child life specialist made sure she was adjustâ€" ing well to what was anyâ€" thing but a normal experiâ€" ence. While no one would want to go through some thing like that, Chantelle has come out of the experi ence with no emotional scars in addition to the physical ones that are still healing. Chantelle, who only got out of her back brace in fune, sull faces six months of recovery but is doing it with a positive attitude bol stered by friends and clitss mates at Sir bdgar Bawer "I said it would be cool if we could raise a bunch of money, and a few days later we decided to try it." Chantell Boppré Catholic who are making sure she isn‘t jostled. "I have my own bodyâ€" guards," laughed Chantelle, as she described the two classmates who escorted her around when she returned to schaol. And while she can‘t play her favourite game, street hockey, until she‘s fully recovered, the neigbourâ€" hood kids have included her in other ways. Particularly in the plan hatched two weeks ago by Chantelle, her sister Michelle and friends Kyle Bergeron, Matthew Bergâ€" etan, Carlyn Ferrede and Meather Logue to hold a fundraising carnival. "Me and my friends were just sitting out on my driveâ€" way and we‘re just talking and we started talking about the whole time T was in the hospital," said Chantelle. "I said it would be cool if we could raise a bunch of money, and a few days later we decided to try it." Iwo weeks later and with encouragement from their parents, although they were a hittle dubnous at first, the kids held their carmval and had more than T00 people attend Aug. 14 Continued on page 13 Hospice of Waterloo Region hosting special fundraiser at Waterloo Wellington flight centre Free Bridal Showecase coming this September Is there a wedding in your future? Know someone who is getting married? Welcome Wagon would like to invite you to attend our next Bridal Showcase, on Sept. 13 at Kitchener City Hall. Doors open at 6:30 pm and the fashion show begins at 7:30 p.m. We offer informative displays, a fashion show, planning guides, free gifts for every bride and the opportunity to win some amazing door prises, such as a complimentary one night stay at the Best Western St Jacobs Country Inn. The package includes accommodations, a kingâ€"sized bed, two perâ€" son whirlpool, a gas fireplace, strawberties and chamâ€" pagne and much more. vear. Guests are invited to use their "passport" to enjoy an extraordinary array of international cuisine, browse the "dutyâ€"free" shop and make a ‘claim‘ on lost luggage. A spectacular surprise celebrating the tenth anniversary of the hospice in the community will take place at 10p.m. __ Admission is free but is by invitation only. Please register by calling Marnic at 894â€"2676, or mom22@sympatico.ca, OR www.bridalshowcase.ca. Hospice is a charitable organization made up of volunteers who help people affected by terminal il}â€" ness prepare for and cope with death. The group is converting the main hangar at the Waterloo Wellingâ€" ton Flight Centre into a truly unique venue full of musical entertainment, dancing and food all with an international flair. Boarding passes are on sale for $110 each which include a $50 tax receipt, table favours and compliâ€" mentary wine. For ticket information call 743â€"41 14. Heart and Hand Festival set for Schneider Haus Thv Heart and Hand Festival is an annual celebra tion of storytelling, music and traditional handiâ€" crafts hosted by the Joseph Schneider Haus Museum. The Aug. 28 festival will include multicultural tales folkâ€"tales, fairy tales, a craft market and craft demonâ€" strations from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with free adrmssion A cabaretâ€"style concert will commence at for $15. For more information call 742â€"7752 _ The event is scheduled for Sept. 18 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. he Hospice of Waterloo Region is hosting what may be the most novel fundraising event of the 10 pm