There are hundreds of great schools in Toronto but the curriculum in very few can compare to the life-changing work that is done at Bloorview Kids Rehab Centre. Every year Bloorview serves over 7,000 children with disabilities and special needs; this includes inpatients that live on the campus and outpatients who visit when necessary.
Bloorview offers these children education, therapy and rehabilitation. Teachers, doctors, nurses, and a number of other specialists who work at the centre are all handpicked by the Ministry of Health. The specialized staff at Bloorview work towards allowing children with disabilities to experience life the same way as everyone else. Once children turn eighteen and can no longer receive treatment at Bloorview, they receive assistance from the staff in transitioning into adult services.
In the morning the children attend classes at the on-site school, and then there is one hour of therapy, lunch, followed by more classes, and another therapy session in the afternoon. Therapy often incorporates fun activities and is tailored towards the individual, while the classes are mostly the same as in any other school.
Bloorview Kids Rehab Centre is directly connected to Sick Kids Hospital and the University of Toronto. This allows children to go to Bloorview to receive rehabilitation, therapy and education after they have received treatment or surgery at Sick Kids. The rehab centre also provides hands-on training for University of Toronto students who are studying to become health care specialists.
Recently, Earl Haig’s own Ashima Chopra was lucky enough to have the chance to conduct an interview with Crystal Chin, a 21-year-old college student who attended Bloorview for therapy from the age of 12 until she turned 18. Crystal’s story reveals the struggles children with disabilities and their families face on a daily basis, and the attention that needs to be brought to children with disabilities.
What is the most common stereotype that people have about persons with disabilities?
People think that I am a different type of human. They ask me questions like, “Is caffeine bad for you?” or “Do you eat the same food?” I am the same as everyone else. In school, my curriculum is the same and I have the same textbooks and assignments.
What was the most difficult part about growing up with a disability?
As a child I knew I was different. Being born in Taiwan, I was taught that I was different in a negative sense. The medical system in Taiwan projects the message that if you have a disability then you can’t do anything. At the age of five other kids ask why you’re going to the same school as them. This is a reflection of the attitude that their society has, so growing up in a place like that was hard for me. There is nothing bad about being different. Life always has its challenges.
Do you have any role models?
My parents, because of all of the hardships they endured for me. They moved to Canada from Taiwan for me, and because they don’t speak English well, they had to go through a lot of struggles to learn how the system here works.
The pediatricians at Bloorview are also a great inspiration. They taught me and took the time to talk to me and ask me questions. It showed me what is really important in life. They made me feel human and encouraged me to keep going.
What is your favourite past time?
I love to watch movies, eat junk food and hangout with friends.
What message do you want people to receive from this article?
I want people to know that although I might do things a little differently, I’m the same as everyone else. When nobody talks to you, it gets lonely. Kids with Down syndrome listen to the same music that any normal person listens to. We are just as much a part of society as everyone else.
What does “disability through possibility” mean to you?
This is what professionals are working towards in order to help change society’s attitude. I want to get a job and go to school. I pull all-nighters. I have bad hair days. We are just like everybody else, and with a little bit of help we can do everything that you can do. Disability is Possibility.
In previous years, disabled children were rarely able to live long, active and successful lives. Fortunately, technological advancements have allowed for greater life expectancies for these children as well as more opportunities. However, once teenagers reach the age of eighteen the service at Bloorview stops. This is causing major problems because there is little transition time and no place for the students to go afterwards. Although there are significantly more possibilities for people with disabilities than there used to be, there is still a lot more that needs to be done. Anyone can make donations to Bloorview Kids Rehab Centre and there are many volunteer opportunities for students over the age of sixteen. If you would like to contact Bloorview Rehab there number is 416-424-6220. You can also make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities today by changing your attitude. Treat people with disabilities like regular people because that’s what they are. Although everyone is different, we are all still human.
