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g warmunum-WnM-yamra-s O O O O Provmce working to reduce funding wartlist, 1, . Mill 0 BrCmnaherh-nm 0veraflve-yearperiod,thefundingsys- yearmthat’hbeet-cuemio" ' Miriam temhasbeenoverhauledand thechanges Mllloy.whoeervedasminisuofoommu- havelefimanyfamiliesfrustmtedandoon- nityandsodaleervmformorelhanayear. randon Morton is 17 years old but he fused. said he's not sure that's accurate and he’s B won’t graduate from school for Children used to receive SSAH funding. neverheardthatbefore. another fouryears.HehasAsperger whicharrledonWmthe-‘radultyears. Thendnistry’swebsinestatesthel’assport Syndromeandattendsaspecialprognmat Thefundshelpp 'esupportsandpro- programisforstudentstmnsitioningtoadult Kitchener-Waterloo Collegiate Institute. grams. such as support workers or day programs and services. or for adults who are HealsoreceivesSpecialSeI-viwsatllome campe.As0ftltisyear,oncepeopletum18 nolongerinschool. (SSAH) funding from the province, about their“! funding ends and theyhave to be Kitchener residents Cameron Dearlove 35,0“) a year to hdp pay for his speech ther~ reassessed and then apply for Passport and Subeer Bhandan‘ have started an online apy and summer camp. Once he turns 18. funds, meant for people avenge 18. petition calling for full. uninterrupted fund- that funding commanend. "Individuals were allowed to stay on the ing for both SSAH and Passport. So far. the ”The fact that someone turns 18 doesn't (SSAH) mam through their adult years, petition has almost 3,400 signatures and has mean that their disability goes away or and as we see people with developmental become a place for families to share the diminishes There's still a need for support. it issues live longer, we were getting to the struggles they face. seems very arbitrary," said Brandon's father, pointwheretherewas nospaoeâ€" there were Milloy said the Ontario government is Mark Morton. huge waiting lists for children,” Milloy said. working on reducing wait lists and their pro- lt could become a financial strain for this For people with low or minimal require- posed budget includes an additional $42.5 .- " ‘ family, who adopted Brandon when he was merits. Passport can provide up to $6,250 a million for developmentalservims =- a 10 and have three other adopted children as year. For those with exceptional disabilities. “Not all of it is going to these programs, “ 55 well. that amount can increase to up to $25,000 a but a big chunk of it is going there,” he said. A circle of W W Fiona whiteside's The Chronicle also highlighted the case of year. The Liberal government has increased (centre) imm living my day, includ- the locai Whiteside family. whose daughter But the Passpon system has a long wait~ support to the sector by $620 million since ing, from left. her [nether an Whiteside vol- Fiona recently turned 18 and saw the fund- ing list â€" according to the Toronto Star. 3,700 2003, bringing it to $1.7 billion in spending unteer Emily Schuster, support worker Rebec- ing needed to support her independent liv- people were waiting as of last fall. And there per year, he said. ca Verdun and volunteer Emily Legare. Fami- ing program dry up despite being confined is some confusion as to whether it is avail- Supports are also provided through the lieswho havediildren with developmental to a wheelchair bycerebral palsy. able for people who are in school. ministry of education while they are in disabilities often face long wait times for Kitchener Centre MPP John Milloy says Morton said he thinks Brandon can't school and at age 18 they may be eligible for services and uncertainty about funding for changes in the way funding is provided for apply until he graduates. at age 21. the Ontario Disability Support Program, at programs. MW") adults and children with developmental dis~ “So there’s going to be a gap, and then of about $800 a month. Millory said. abilities were made to streamline a process course there's the huge waiting list of thou- “we continue to invest in the system both of waiting lists is something every minister is that had become like a “patchwork quilt." sands of people . . . it will be at least a three- for children and for adults,” he said “The fact struggirigwith.” O O O O O . O ' Third trip to China is helpmg Waterloo make inroads, says mayor Brim [liaison ernment officials and execu- 371' friendship agreement with cuss business opportunities in the region, Chronicle Staff tives from major Chinese cor- 5‘ Chongqing in 2009. and she and while she was in China this month she pomu'ons and they attended an was also in China from said one dty approached her for more inforâ€" aterloo Mayor Brenda Halloran industrial convention to gain Sept. 25 to 30 last yearns part of mation about Waterloo as an ageâ€"friendly Wsaid her most recent trip to China insight into local Chinese busi- a forum on tourism. city. a designation given to the city by the was one of the most significant nesses and industrial sectors The mayorisalsoheadingto WorldHealthOrganiutionlast year. ' yet. like technology. education. nat- Brazil in the fall with Canada’s ‘They wouldn‘t be coming unlw we had it's the third time in the last two years ural resources and finance. Technology Triangle to help gone over there," she said of the pending Halloran has made a trip to China. this time All trip expenses were cov. boost relations with the South lndia visit. leading a delegation of nine mayors on ered by CClA except for the American country. She doesn't Halloran said this most recent China trip behalf of the Canada China Investment Asso- mayor‘s airfare. The city said expect to head back to China to spreadWaterloo's namewas toogood of an ciation. a non-profit trade facilitator between Halloran flew from Toronto to again between now and the fall. opportunity to pass up. the two countries Beijing in economy class. cost- Mane-mm Throughout all of her travels ”Sometimes they just happen and you “This was the most high-level opportunity ing the city about $1,700. to China and other countries have to look at the opportunity and this was We ever experienced.” said Halloran in an Halloran said CClA approached her in abroad. the mayor has said it is critical for verycostelfidentâ€"allwepaidwas my flight interview Monday. From May 15 to 25 she Febnrary about attending the meeting and Waterloo to get out into the world and pro- and there were no other costs â€"â€"- and in all travelled to cities across China with mayors asked her to lead the mayoral delegation. She mote its brand and its name on an intema- fairness if you were to look up my job from cities across Ontario, including Erin, said her past experience in China was one of tional stage. description. that is part of my job Niagara»()n»The»l,ake. Belleville and St. the reasons why they approached her. She said those efforts are beginning to description. (Latharines. The mayor previously travelled to China bear fruit. A lO-business delegation from “l’m doing my job and representing the The delegation visited with Chinese gov and Taiwan in 201 I after the city signed a lndia will am've in Waterloo tomorrow to dis- cityand bringing opportunities" YOUR rap AWARD WINNING SPA 3 l . .‘ . . . . a. r . r . ‘ ' $ 1 s19.eee.2oeo l omAsvacon l ,QGlMSpaAndl-lalr :. m I”. “m “m