Grandview Kids

Every Child And Youth Living Life At Their Full Potential

Posted

Meet Grandview Kids’ Registered Dietitians!

Interviews

Nutrition Month 2022

This March, dietitians across Canada are coming together to share how they can support you and make your future a healthier one. We interviewed Grandview Kids’ Registered Dietitians, Heather-Ann and Shelley, about their roles at Grandview and what being a dietitian means to them! 

Meet Heather-Ann!

What is your role at Grandview Kids?

I am a Registered Dietitian working with the Complex Care team and Nutrition Clinic.

What does a typical session with your clients look like?

A typical session with clients would include a discussion with the parents and/or child to determine how I can best support them in achieving their nutrition goals and needs. This discussion may include but is not limited to a review of past medical history, current dietary intake, medications/supplements, bloodwork, feeding environment, social history and measuring anthropometric data. Once I have completed my assessment, I would then provide evidence-based nutrition recommendations in a collaborative manner with the patient and/or family to enhance nutrition status and health outcomes.  

What inspired you to become a dietitian?

My first interest in nutrition started as a young athlete looking for ways to optimize sport performance. This led to studying Human Nutrition at St. Francis Xavier University, where I became intrigued by the opportunity for Dietitians to improve the health and well-being of others across the lifespan. I was inspired to become a Dietitian so that I could help others achieve healthier and happier lifestyles through the power of nutrition!

If you could give one nutrition tip to parents/caregivers of children and youth, what would it be?

I would recommend getting children and youth involved in the preparation of meals! Involving children in making family meals and snacks provides the opportunity for teaching valuable life skills, learning about their family’s culture and cooking traditions, as well as exposing the child to new foods.

Meet Shelley!

What is your role at Grandview Kids?

I work at Grandview Kids as a registered dietitian in the Nutrition Clinic. My role is to identify nutrition risks and assess the nutrition requirements of children and youth.  My goal is to work with families and their children to ensure optimal feeding and nutrition for their child’s growth and development.

What does a typical session with your clients look like?

A typical session involves review and assessment from the referring individual, further identifying nutrition issues to help families with their child’s feeding or health concerns. My role of late has changed to include a telepractice consult model.  This practice has had many benefits for the families I serve.  I provide a consultative service to parents/caregivers. Initial nutrition assessment times can be lengthy and telepractice has helped in this regard as the child will be in the comfort of their home and not sitting for an extended duration during the appointment.  The Nutrition Clinic Clerk notifies families in advance of their appointment to prepare a 3-day food record of typical nutrition days. This information is reviewed during the assessment and recommendations are then provided to optimize meal planning, feeding, nutrition status and growth.

What inspired you to become a dietitian?

My love for working with the pediatric population was always an inspiration of mine and so tagging this with nutrition was a great fit.  Who knew I would go on to be a dietitian when I was that child, as I only ate honey sandwiches and my vegetable of choice was corn! From as early as I can remember, my parents continued to provide variety and opportunity in my meals, ensuring a balanced structure as well as an enjoyable meal experience.  In time, my food variety expanded and my interest in nutrition and dietetics flourished in my later years.

If you could give one nutrition tip to parents/caregivers of children and youth, what would it be?

My managing mealtime tip: make mealtime enjoyable and a priority. Be a role model, eat together and get kids involved in the kitchen early on with a focus on food variety from Canada’s Food Guide.

Thank you for sharing a bit about your journey with us all to commemorate Nutrition Month 2022, Heather-Ann!

Visit the Nutrition Month website to learn more about how you can participate!

EKO Scholarship winner, Owen DiManno.

In March, at the top of 2021, soon-to-be college student Owen DiManno was awarded an Empowered Kids Ontario (EKO) Scholarship, a prestigious award only presented to a select few inspiring individuals. No word is better suited to describe Owen than “resilient,” says EKO as they officially announce him as a recipient of their scholarship. It is hard not to agree with this fair assessment as Owen has overcome quite a bit of adversity at a young age and still manages to show up for himself and others in various ways.

To better explain how Owen has ended up as an EKO Scholar, some background information on his journey is necessary.

In April of 2018, Owen was at his first High School Track Meet when he suffered a dissected carotid artery, which caused an ischemic stroke, describes Owen’s mother, Rebecca DiManno. After his injury, Owen underwent life-saving surgery at Sick Kids Hospital and spent several months bouncing around hospitals in recovery before arriving at Grandview Kids. Since arriving and spending the past three years at Grandview Kids, Owen has built incredible, lifelong relationships with his therapists and fellow Grandview Kids! His physical therapist, Corrie, nominated him for the scholarship, citing his resilience and positive attitude as a couple of the many reasons he deserves to receive it.

One of the reasons that landed Owen the scholarship was his steadfast commitment to raising awareness for Paediatric Stroke, helping to start a foundation to support this cause called Achieving Beyond Brain Injury. His mother has helped him with the Foundation from the get-go and notes that “from the moment he woke up from the induced coma, he started volunteering for stroke research studies.” After interacting with other kids who had suffered a stroke, it only further fuelled his desire to be a loud voice and support system for kids who he saw also suffered a stroke.

In addition to his work with his Foundation, Owen, as the enormous sports fanatic that he is, joined Grandview Kids’ sitting volleyball team. In 2019, the team competed in the annual ParaSport games, ultimately finishing fourth in the entire province! Before his stroke, Owen was involved in competitive sports, citing his competitive nature as a driving force in his life to overcome various obstacles, whether they be pushing through his rehab journey or achieving personal goals.

Portrait photograph of Owen DiManno posing beside his mother, Rebecca, in front of a lush garden.
Portrait shot of Rebecca and Owen DiManno.

Given his drive, determination, and observable skill, it’s no doubt that Owen has become quite the role model for the younger kids at Grandview! When asked how he feels about being a role model for the younger generation at Grandview, he states:

I love being with the younger kids and feel that I’m able to show them that having a disability doesn’t slow me down, and I’m able to adapt to different situations, and they can too. Being involved with the Grandview Kids sitting volleyball team was very important to me, and I loved the inclusivity and team building, we ranged in all ages and abilities, but we were one team. Being a role model helps me because I know that my attitude must remain positive, and that rubs off on everyone you meet.

Fast-forward to March of 2021: Owen had officially become an EKO Scholar!

“I felt quite honoured to be awarded such a competitive scholarship,” Owen states, further mentioning that “EKO is a wonderful organization that provides kids with disabilities, like me, with opportunities to achieve their dreams and goals.”

This past September, Owen started his first year at Durham College, pursuing an Ontario College Diploma as a Developmental Services Worker. He notes that the time he spent living at the rehab hospital significantly impacted his outlook. Owen explains

“[living at the rehab hospital] allowed me to experience a multitude of people with different abilities and the clinicians that worked with all of us. I want to make a difference in someone’s life, I want to work with kids with different abilities, and a lived experience is something that can’t be taught.”

As Owen enters the next chapter of his life, it goes without question that no matter what he aims to accomplish next, his determination will be a driving force in what ultimately allows him to achieve it.

Dr. Meghann Lloyd celebrates a decade as Grandview Kids Research Associate

Dr. Meghann Lloyd on a field high-fiving a little boy.
Grandview Children’s Centre for U.O.I.T. May 16, 2012. (Ian Goodall/Goodall Media Inc.)

Dr. Meghann Lloyd, Associate Professor, Kinesiology at Ontario Tech University, celebrates her tenth anniversary as Grandview Kids’ Research Associate! Over the last decade, Dr. Meghann Lloyd has worked closely with Grandview Kids, furthering research focused on childhood disability. In commemoration of this milestone, Dr. Meghann Lloyd reflects on her time with Grandview Kids and looks towards the future as she answers some of our questions.

Why did you choose a career focused on childhood disability?

During my undergraduate degree at Acadia University, I volunteered in the S.M.I.L.E. program, where I was paired with a young boy with autism, and we played together on Saturday mornings, working on goals. It was in my third year that I realized the adapted physical activity was an academic field of study. I also had the chance to do an Honours research project in my fourth year of undergrad, and I knew very quickly that this area was what I wanted to pursue for my career. While I enjoyed working with children with typical development, I felt strongly that the children with disabilities were more fun, more of a challenge, and far more rewarding to work with.

Three little boys posing in and outside of play tubes in Dr. Meghann LLoyd's lab.
Children Dr. Meghann LLoyd has worked with at her lab.

What has been your most significant accomplishment as the Grandview Kids Research Associate in the past 10 years?

My most significant accomplishment as the Grandview Research Associate has been the longevity of trusting relationships. Gaining the trust and respect of the staff and clinicians at Grandview allows me the freedom to propose my own research questions and the commitment to pursue the questions that Grandview puts forth. To have been able to foster and commit to this relationship over the past ten years has been a privilege.

Little boy squatting on top of a tall block in Dr. Meghann Lloyd's lab.

Reflecting on your past successes and now towards the future, what is the most ambitious goal you hope to realize at Grandview Kids?

My goal is for the research myself and my graduate students complete to be relevant to Grandview, but more importantly, actionable. I also envision a day where Grandview has the capacity to ask its own questions and execute the studies. To achieve this, substantial external funding would need to be secured and the infrastructure in place to implement the plans. If we realize this goal, Grandview would establish itself as a research hub east of Toronto in pediatric rehabilitation and adapted physical activity and would be able to train the next generation of researchers, as well as clinician-scientists. This would benefit Grandview clients but also the academic fields.

Little boy holding a toy bat up to a softball in Dr. Meghann Lloyd's lab.

Thank you for a stellar decade of dedicated work and research, Dr. Meghann LLoyd. Having you as a Research Associate at Grandview Kids, we know to expect great things in our future!

In December, Grandview Kids Occupational Therapist, Sandie, organized a draw for two coats from Koolway Sports. The lucky winners of this draw would win a custom-made coat from Koolway Sports.

Koolway Sports, a Canadian-owned-and-operated company that designs and manufactures clothing in the GTA, prides itself on manufacturing clothing that is comfortable and warm for people of all ages who have mobility issues. Koolway Sports’ specialty is providing fashionable and weather-appropriate outerwear that saves time and effort for customers and caregivers who need a stress-free experience in dressing. The company customizes each product to fit individual client needs from their body frame to their custom wheelchairs.

Both Sandie and another Grandview Kids Occupational Therapist, Serena, are among those who entered several of their clients in the draw. Sandie’s client, Erum, and Serena’s client, Colton, were the two lucky winners!

Erum poses with Sandie just before she tries on her new coat for the first time.
Erum poses with Sandie just before she tries on her new coat for the first time.

Serena was overjoyed to find out that Colton had won. She says, “He really needed a warmer winter option.” Colton and his family have excitedly welcomed the new addition to his wardrobe. Being able to have a warm coat that is tailor-made to fit him and his wheelchair has been treasured during this winter’s chilly weather

Colton tries on his Koolway Sports coat for the first time.
Colton tries on his Koolway Sports coat for the first time.

Sandie’s client, Erum, notes that she likes that her new coat is red. She is particularly happy about the fact that she does not have to wear bulky snow pants anymore. Erum’s mom, Satwat, noted that due to Erum’s neuromuscular disorder, her legs are very cold all the time and this jacket will help her stay warm. Satwat also likes how it will be easier for herself, the personal support workers and teachers to put on the jacket without causing pain for Erum. Koolway Sports also provided Erum with socks, which help keep her feet warm with ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) on; this enables her to no longer need to wear snow boots.

Erum and her mom, Satwat, pose before Erum tries on her Koolway Sports coat.
Erum and her mom, Satwat, pose before Erum tries on her Koolway Sports coat.
Erum posing in her beautiful and new red Koolway Sports coat!
Erum posing in her beautiful red Koolway Sports coat!

These coats have been game-changers for both Colton and Erum. We are so delighted to see them cozied-up in their brand new Koolway Sports coats, just in time for some outdoor winter fun!

Volunteer Spotlight: Vicki Caume

Volunteer since October 2017

Favourite Activities: Golf, Pickleball, Reading, Jigsaw Puzzles, Leisurely Walks

A picture of Vicki.

In light of National Volunteer Week last week, we wanted to put a spotlight on one of our volunteers, Vicki Caume. Vicki has been volunteering with Grandview and Campbell Children’s School since October 2017 after retiring as a special education teacher. Grandview has been a part of Vicki’s life for quite some time.

“My first son was born with a number of developmental challenges and we were often involved with agencies like Grandview for his care [and] for a number of years I would bring my students to Grandview to use the therapeutic pool,” she explained.

For Vicki, to go from working in an educative setting to volunteering at our centres, just seemed natural. “When I retired from teaching, I immediately realized that I missed being around children and quickly thought of Grandview,” she said. When asked if there have been any key moments or connections that have struck a chord with her, she stated, “Of course the kids. You can see the pride they have in their accomplishments. Some of the children have so many obstacles to overcome and their enthusiasm and positivity in constantly inspiring.”

Creating positive experiences for the children and setting them up for success in their lives is what sparks joy in her volunteering experiences. At the end of the day, it is the children that she gets to work with that keep her around. “It’s the kids that make volunteering so enjoyable. Their enthusiasm, their eagerness to try new things, their perseverance. Whether I am volunteering at the Campbell School or with one of the recreational programs, the kids are always so much fun.”

When asked how she would describe Grandview to someone who does not know about our services she shared, “Grandview is a rehabilitation centre which serves the needs of children with physical, intellectual and developmental challenges and their families. The centre offers diagnostic services and follow up care and therapies (physical therapy, speech and language, occupational therapy). They also work with children on the autism spectrum. They support both the child and their families. As well as therapy, Grandview offers a wide array of therapeutic recreation programs to help children interact with other children and people in the community. Grandview is an amazing centre that helps children reach their full potential in a positive and caring manner.”

It is clear that Vicki is passionate for this type of work and excels in this environment. We would like to express our gratitude for all the good that she does: thank you, Vicki!

You Have Questions

We’d like to help you find the answers…

Contact Us Today