Faces of Erinoak
Isaiah's Story
It sits in a place of honour on top of the dresser, cherished by a young boy with lofty dreams.
"Actually, that's the only place my little brother and sister can't reach it," says a practical Isaiah Christophe.
A budding wheelchair racing star, 12-year-old Isaiah is referring to the bronze medal he won at the 2005 Canada Summer Games in Regina. Chosen as one of only six wheelchair athletes to represent Ontario, Isaiah, as one of the youngest at the games, spun his way to third place in the 400 metre event and 5th in the 500 metre race.
Within two years of starting the sport, Isaiah's success has made him an athlete to watch and spurned him on to a goal of Olympic proportions – the Paralympics. And according to the self-assured young man, that world stage may be just two years. " I'm aiming for 2008," he says matter-of- factly.
Born with spina bifida, Isaiah has been pushing himself hard ever since he was a toddler, says mom Dianne. "I learned quickly not to tell him he couldn't do something. If you tell him he can't, he's going to try it. So we've always just let him experience things for himself."
With the support of Erinoak, Isaiah continues to experience life in ways that celebrate his abilities and empowers him to see the possibilities. It is through Erinoak that Isaiah was introduced to the world of sports, first as a four year old in a program where children with disabilities were given the opportunity to play schoolyard games like tag and red rover.
Then, through speech language therapy assistant Kathy Ludwig, Isaiah was turned on to sledge hockey where he is now recognized as a standout goalie. When summer came along in 2003, the youngster decided to try racing while awaiting the next hockey season. But with the first taste of success, says Dianne, "it all snowballed."
Isaiah now trains all year long while also playing hockey and dabbling in basketball. At school, he holds a place of honour as the basketball team's manager, which involves some coaching as well as playing. In a recent tournament, Isaiah was on the court with his able-bodied teammates for part of the game and brought home a silver medal. "It was great," says Isaiah.
"Erinoak plays a big role in our lives, now more than ever," says Dianne. "The Centre makes sure the school environment is safe and accessible for Isaiah and an occupational therapist and physiotherapist make regular visits to provide therapy.
The Centre also arranges and administers special at-home services for Isaiah – someone to take him to hockey when needed, or to accompany him on an outing so that he's not always with a parent.
Special camps like CampSpike, where Isaiah learned about self-care and gained the confidence to accept and look after all his own needs, and ongoing support and information for Dianne and husband Randy are among other Erinoak services for which the Christophes are grateful.
They are most, grateful, however, for a son whose incredible drive will no doubt land him many more medals atop his dresser, and whose powerful sense of self promises to propel him far, both on and off the track.