Local News

Tamara Gordon

By RON FANFAIR

Tamara Denise Gordon is living proof that anybody can overcome despite their challenges.

The once aspiring professional basketball player suffered a debilitating spinal cord injury in February 2002 while on a high school downhill skiing trip. She sustained spinal cord and brachial injuries that have left her paralyzed from the waist down and without the use of her dominant left hand.

Despite the obstacles and setbacks, Gordon graduated from high school on time with honours, and from York University last year. She was also recognized as a Member of the Dean's Honour Roll.

Samuel Getachew

By RON FANFAIR

Almost everything that Samuel Getachew's Zambia-based mother, Aster Admassie, puts her hand on seemingly turns to gold.

It's for that reason that the 33-year-old Ethiopian immigrant filed his nomination documents on her birthday last February 18 to run in this October's municipal elections.

He's challenging Paul Ainslie in Ward 43 (Scarborough East).

"She's very lucky and I hope some of that runs off on me," says Getachew, who in 2006 unsuccessfully attempted to become an Ottawa-Carleton District School Board trustee.

Prof. Rex Nettleford

By RON FANFAIR

He was expected to be front and centre at last Saturday night's University of the West Indies (UWI) inaugural gala to celebrate distinguished Canadians, charitable and corporate entities and raise funds for the university's regional endowment fund's scholarships and bursaries.

But vice-chancellor emeritus Rex Nettleford, who had been the face of the university for decades, passed away a month ago while on a visit to Washington to garner much needed financial support for the Caribbean institution of higher learning he had been associated with for 58 years.

Pat Howell

Social worker and Markham African Caribbean Association (MACA) vice-president Pat Howell has been appointed to Ontario's Consent and Capacity board.

The independent body, which was created by the provincial government, conducts hearings under the Mental Health, Health Care Consent and Substitute Decision Acts.

The board, which comprises psychiatrists, lawyers and public members, has the authority to hold hearings to deal with a range of issues, including reviewing whether a young person (ages 12-15) requires observation, care and treatment in a psychiatric facility.