May brings spring flowers and is the official launch of the Canadian Paraplegic Association (CPA)'s Spinal Cord Injury and CPA Awareness Month. Each year the launch is marked by a signature event on Parliament Hill. 2010 will mark the 3rd year of a national awareness month which has evolved from a “chair leader” event in 2008, when Liberal MP Michael Savage from Dartmouth – Cole Harbour spent the day in a wheelchair on Parliament Hill. Mr. Savage was amazed by his colleagues’ reactions to his sudden disability and how inaccessible life became for him.Several Members of Parliament and Senators have spent one day in May in a wheelchair. They conducted their normal working day having to make time allowances for simple things like finding wheelchair accessible shuttles and washrooms. They were only allowed to leave their chair while in the House of Commons as there is only one wheelchair accessible spot on the floor for the Parliament Hill event co-sponsor the Honorable Mr. Steven Fletcher.This annual event is the official launch of a national awareness month with events taking place across the country. To see what's happening in your area, contact your neerest CPA office. To see some of our 2009 participants, click on the 'Participants' link, below.
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2009 Participants | 2009 Schedule of Events | 2009 Itinerary for the Hill | Photo links
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