Brittany Jennings of Winnipeg, Manitoba, recipient of this year’s Transamerica Life Canada Conductive Education Award.

March of Dimes Canada is delighted to announce the winner of this year’s Transamerica Life Canada Conductive Education Award, Brittany Jennings of Winnipeg, Manitoba. This award provides $30,000 over three years to support Canadians in achieving their Qualified Conductor Status (QCS) at the University of Wolverhampton and the National Institute for Conductive Education (NICE) in Birmingham, England. A Conductor is a specialized teacher that helps people with physical disabilities to learn how to become more mobile and independent. Only qualified Conductors are permitted to teach the Conductive Education program.

The Conductive Education program merges elements of education and rehabilitation in an innovative approach to learning. Adults and children who have neurologically-based movement disorders (stroke survivors, people with Parkinson’s disease, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis and acquired brain injuries, for example) learn a variety of problem-solving skills and techniques to increase their independence and mobility.

Brittany is the seventh Canadian recipient and the first from Manitoba. She is a graduate of the International Baccalaureate Diploma at Miles MacDonald Collegiate and has worked as a Classroom Assistant at the Movement Centre of Manitoba, a centre for Conductive Education in Winnipeg.

“I am interested in Conductive Education because it is different than other programs offered to people with movement disabilities. It focuses on teaching the individual how to perform a task, instead of doing it for them. People can reach their full potential and gain independence through the program. It is an incredibly positive approach to overcoming an individual’s movement obstacles,” says Brittany.

Brittany heads to Birmingham in September to begin the three year program that includes studies in psychology, neuropsychology, sociology, special needs, education, anatomy, physiology, speech and language development, and adapted physical activity. These studies are reinforced and complemented by concurrent work terms in Conductive Education classes at the Institute for Conductive Education.

For more information on our Conductive Education program please call 1-866-765-7237, or e-mail: ce@marchofdimes.ca

The Transamerica Life Conductive Education Award is made possible through the sponsorship of Transamerica Life Canada in partnership with March of Dimes Canada. Transamerica Life Canada is a market leader in the sale of individual life insurance and segregated funds. Through a national network of 18,000 independent advisors, Transamerica Life Canada helps Canadians meet their financial goals and preserve their wealth through innovative financial services. March of Dimes Canada is a nationally registered charitable organization providing support services to people with disabilities, their families and caregivers across Canada.

For more information contact:
Stefanie Di Risio
Manager, Marketing & Communications
ONTARIO MARCH OF DIMES
10 Overlea Blvd.
Toronto, ON M4H 1A4
416-425-3463 ext. 7254
1-800-263-3463 ext. 7254
sdirisio@marchofdimes.ca