Manitoba Liberal Party hosts forum on supporting individuals with learning disabilities

The Manitoba Liberal Party hosted an event here at the Corydon Community Centre Sunday afternoon, calling for better approaches to support young children and adults with learning disabilities.

“We can make a huge difference in these children’s lives and for adults who were not helped appropriately when they were growing up in school, there needs to be help too,” said Jon Gerrard, former member of legislature for River Heights.

Over 30 people were in attendance to learn more about the liberals call to action to ensure a better future for individuals who have dyslexia, ADHD, and other learning disabilities. Event organizers say they are advocating for early pre-screening so children with learning disabilities can be diagnosed sooner.

“I have heard countless folks when they are diagnosed that they have an answer to you know maybe why things don’t come as easy to them or why their behind in the curriculum and I just think that would help everyone,” said Jamie Pfau, President of Manitoba Foster Parent Association.

“What were recommending is that every child be screened so that kids are detected and found early on in kindergarten or grade one or grade two, and that children who are struggling to read have immediately access to interventions that are appropriate,” said Gerrard.

“It is really essential that every kid learns to read,” added Gerrard.

Among those in attendance included former Bombers star running back Willard Reeves, sharing his personal story of struggling with a learning disability.

“You’re reading something or trying to read something and when you’re done the teacher ask you what you read, and you had no idea what you were reading and it was very frustrating and sometimes embarrassing,” said Willard Reaves, former running back for the Blue Bombers.

Reaves says he wouldn’t be where he is today without help from his teachers to overcome his learning disability, and hopes people leave the forum feeling hopeful for future generations.

“We in a society that is grand and can make sure that everyone has an opportunity to learn how to read, how to write, to understand what they’re doing and we have those tools we just have to put it to use,” said Reaves.