NV BOY LOSES OPPORTUNITIES 3 - Friday, November 7, 1986 - North Shore News Funding uncertain for deaf school DESPITE Protests, little Gregory Ridgewell was determined not to wear his hearing aid one day last week. HIS mother’s By KIM PEMBEREON News Meporter Finally the 2+:-year-ecid boy, who is profoundly dest, was able to communicate why he wis reluc- tant to wear the aid. For the first time, Grevory made the hand signal for the word hurt, “TAt's just so touching when you see Crevory do things...when he vets hurt and to be able to tell me," said his mother Jean. “Or when he tells his brother to sit down at the dinner table because he wants to eat. [t's amaz- ing how these children leatn, but they need help.”’ Gregory takes part in a one-of- a-kind program in British Colum- bia called Total Communication, which offers a home training and pre-school program for deaf children. But Gregory’s home training Program was cut off cartier this year due to a lack of funding. The program is sponsored by the Deaf Children’s Society of B.C., and funded by the Ministry of Social Services and Housing. Cliff Carbin, executive director of the Deaf Children's Society, said funding from the provincial government has stayed the same since 1982, despite the number of families serviced has tripled. The program, which now ser- vices 27 children, advocates a total communication approach, and tries to ensure all family members ean effectively communicate with the hearing impaired child. Ridgewell said she was disap- pointed her family no longer benefits from private visits with a deaf adult to learn how to improve communications with Gregory. “It was an excellent program because of the personal one-to-one approach. It involved the whole family,’’ she said. Ridgewell said now the family is trying to find a child-care worker who will help keep Gregory’s sign- 2 SOHO NEE JEAN Ridgewell and 22-year-old son Gregory share a word through hand signing. The mother and child are participants in the Total Communication program sponsored by the Deaf Children’s Society of B.C. ing skills up to date. “It's just a fight all the time for deaf children, because they’re not classified (with Ministry of Social Services and Housing) as special needs.” She said the local special needs resource team couldn’t help her NEWS photo Terry Peters HELEN Pierce, president of the Royal Canadian Legion Ladies Aus- iliary North Vancouver Branch No.t18, pins a poppy on Branch No. 118 Ist vice-president Roy Mosdell’s lapel. Branch president Marsh Pierce and 3rd vice-pre: dent Valerie Campbell look on. The Nov. 11 North Vanconver Armistice Day service begins at Hh45 a.m, —! son because it was felt he needed more signing skills. She said one answer would be to send Gregory to the Total Com- munication pre-school, but she’s worried this service may also be cut back in the future. Carbin said so far the program hasn't turned away children, because he realizes no other pro- gram in the Lower Mainland offers a similar service. On Tuesday, Carbin met with officials from the provincial gov- ernment to discuss the funding problem. He said an additional DRAYCOTT SCULPTURE NW. Van District honors pioneers A SPECIAL invitation has been extended to all Lynn Valley pioneers and residents to attend the opening of Pioneer Park at Lynn Valley Road Remembrance Day. Also at that ceremony, Tuesday, Nov. 11 at 3 p.m., the rededication of Lynn Valley Centennial Cairn and the unveiling of a) statue honoring Lynn Valley pioneer Walter Draycott will take place. North Vancouver District Mayor Marilyn Baker said the park will be a focal point for the community. “It is situated in a key location around which activities tthe valley have long revolved," she said. “tt gives a prominent site to the cairn allowing space for a Color Party for Remembrance Day cer- emonies if the community se desires. [It recognizes and portrays a sense of the history and heritage of the salley by its name —- Pie- neer Park - and the presences of the sculpture of one of the earls Plongers." Drascott historian was a fecal and Mountain Highway on Hy KIM P N“ Reporter and author, The sculpture is) by North Vancouver resident: Kevin Head. Dedication of the Lynn Valley Centennial Cairn originally took place in 1958, but it has been relocated in the new Pioneer Park. The cairn is dedicated to the men and women of Lynn Valley and North Vancouver who died in service for their country: to Julius Martin Fromme, one of the first settlers and founders of Lynn Valley; and to) pioneer school teacher A. J. MoSween. The District of North Vancouver has organized the special events Tuesdas and ts invigne the general publie to attend. AO reeeption at Tenn Valles Halli roltaw, $50,000 would be needed to allow the society to hire two more staff members, Ministry spokesman Art Scott said because the program is so extensive a second meeting is needed with the society before a decision on funding is taken. Weather: ; Friday sunny with cloudy periods, Saturday, mostly & sunny. Highs near 10° C. INDEX Classified Ads Doug Collins Editorial Page Home & Garden Bob Hunter Lifestyles Mailbox