Determined…Witty….Adventurous…
Growing up with Cerebral Palsy, Rena hoped to one day: live on her own, have a career and travel.
With encouragement from her family, she was able to pursue her dreams.
Rena is the oldest of 3 children and the only one who has a physical disability. As a way of teaching their children's responsibilities, Rena's parents assigned her and her brothers weekly household chores.
They also encouraged their daughter to participate in a life skills program offered by Bloorview Holland Rehabilitation Children Centre. The Independence Program was and still is a 3 week summer program for youth who have disabilities.
After graduating from Seneca College at the age of 24 with a diploma in Social Work, Rena spent 10 years working in the disability community as a youth program coordinator and a peer trainer.
Throughout her career, Rena has been approached by community organizations such as the Gage Transition to Independent Living and was asked to speak about her experiences with employment.
In the early 90's Rena moved into an accessible apartment and received assistance with her personal care through Tobias House Attendant Services. In 2005, she began hiring her own support staff with funds available through the Direct Funding Program.
As the new millennium began, so did Rena's love of travel. She has visited cities such as New York and Las Vegas.
Rena also enjoys writing short stories and blogging. She hopes to one day publish a book she wrote called Somebody's Child.
Now in her 40's, Rena continue to have aspirations.
She develops and presents seminars that explore what it means to have a disability in today's world.
Traveling with a Disability is one of 4 seminars Rena has developed herself and is the one she most enjoys presenting.
Over the last 20 years, Rena has used her personal and professional experiences to help others better understand the many aspects of life with a disability.
She has to be invited to speak at universities, disability conferences and at community organizations across the GTA.
64th O.F.C.P. Annual Conference
“Weaving Dreams Together”
October 21 to 23, 2011
Toronto Airport Marriott Hotel
“The Ontario Federation for Cerebral Palsy (O.F.C.P) 2011 Conference features a panel discussion with leaders who represent the diversity of perspectives that people with cerebral palsy have. Each panelist will discuss the progress we have made in areas such as inclusion participation and human rights and the challenges all people with disabilities still face today” An excerpt from the conference brochure
Rena was invited to be one of the panelists.
Since the conception of Just Believe in 2007, Rena has developed and presented seminars for:
- Bloorview Holland Rehabilitation Children Centre
- Tobias House Resource Centre
- Sir William Osler High School
- City of Toronto - The Adaptive Services and Integration Program
- Extend - A - Family
Rena has been invited to speak at:
- O.F.C.P. Conference - “Weaving Dreams Together”
- University of Toronto
- Abilities Church
- O.F.C.P Parent Workshop
In 2011, Rena was asked to be speak at Victoria College
Below is a letter from the university.
