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By JEFF BEER, Staff Writer, Brampton Guardian June 12, 2002
Many people don’t pay attention when opportunity knocks. Tanya
Loria paid full attention, turning a small opportunity into a big
accomplishment.
Although Loria has an intellectual disability, she recently
received her Level One certificate from the B-Pro Dog Grooming Academy and is
now working at Fancy Furs Dog Grooming.
Loria was given the chance to attend B-Pro by Alliance
Personnel, a division of Brampton Caledon Community Living, a government
supported agency that aims to help people with intellectual disabilities lead
fulfilling and enriched lives.
"There’s a stigma out there that people with intellectual
disabilities aren’t capable of regular employment and other aspects of normal
life," said Sharon Lennie of Alliance Personnel. "A lot of times it’s
about giving people a chance. Once they get that chance, most take it as their
opportunity to shine. Tanya’s case is terrific because she chose to take the
leap and attend grooming school to develop her skills."
Christine Trajkovski, Loria’s employer at Fancy Furs, has seen
first-hand that any negative perception of people with special needs is far
from the reality.
"Even though Tanya has what people call an intellectual
disability, she’s a great worker who catches on to anything I teach her very
quickly," said Trajkovski.
Loria’s interest in dog grooming grew from her love of animals
and her experiences with her own dog at home. She saw attending grooming school
as a challenge, but took each obstacle in stride.
"With me having special needs, I have to work harder than
anyone else," said Loria. "Fancy Furs really helped me a lot. I’m
very thankful to them for giving me a chance."
Like Loria, her mom, Tiziana Loria, is grateful! for Tanya’s
opportunities.
"Everybody deserves to do something useful in life,"
said Tiziana. "I’m sure there’s a lot of parents of kids with special
needs who get to a point where they don’t know what to do— but Brampton Caledon
Community Living has done a lot to help people with special needs and their
parents move forward, helping them accomplish things with their lives."
Barb Hodgkinson, owner of B-Pro Dog Grooming Academy, echoes the
sentiment that people with special needs deserve to be given a chance to
contribute any way they can to society.
"A lot of people give up easily on this group of society,
but I’d take 20 of Tania any day. She’s very artistic and articulate, and
always has a smile on her face. She’s a real sweetheart, I’m very proud of
her," said Hodgkinson.
Tiziana doesn’t see Tanya’s employment as the only reward for
attending school.
"The fact she didn’t realize she could accomplish so much
but did, is great. It’s given her an opportunity to see she can accomplish
things on her own," said Tiziana.
Not one to turn down a challenge, Tanya is now looking forward
to going for her Level Two at B-Pro in the fall.
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