Small Wonder [no limits] 08 - 09 Report to Donors

Corvin playing a game with Dr. Tom Chau by raising his eyebrow.

WB Foundation raises an eyebrow

The smallest gesture makes a world of difference

Dr. Tom Chau has been called a ‘wizard’. Corvin and his parents know why.

Corvin is an adorable 9-year-old with curly blonde hair and an infectious smile. Corvin has cerebral palsy, a condition which affects his voice and the movement of his arms and legs. Corvin’s ability to speak is limited to two-word sentences and, because of his physical challenges, he is unable to use a conventional communications aid. It seemed that Corvin would never be able to express himself fully – until he began to work with Dr. Chau and his team at the Bloorview Research Institute.

A renowned biomedical engineer and Canada Research Chair, Dr. Chau is pioneering communication solutions for kids like Corvin, novel solutions that are based on subtle body processes like heartbeat and skin temperature, or on tiny physical movements like a blink of the eye, a thrust of the tongue, or, as in Corvin’s case, a lift of the eyebrows.

For Corvin, Dr. Chau’s team developed a prototype switch connected to a computer that Corvin can turn on by simply raising his eyebrows. Corvin is now playing video games, and, eventually, he will be able to type.

Dr. Chau believes in the unique potential of each child. He is committed to unlocking that potential. From that commitment came his vision for the Infinity Centre for Access Innovations – the world’s first interdisciplinary centre dedicated to discovering accessible and affordable technologies that allow kids like Corvin to communicate – kids who can’t speak or move.

But there is more wizardy going on here. In 2008, the WB Family Foundation, a private foundation set up by the Beamish family, donated $1 million to the Infinity Centre for Access Innovations.

Bob and Marilyn Beamish, their children, Brian, Heather and David, and the rest of the WB Foundation Directors were impressed by Dr. Chau’s vision for the Infinity Centre. “The WB Foundation believes that all children should have access to communication. We are thrilled to be supporting this revolutionary project,” says Heather Beamish.

This is the magic of philanthropy. Just ask Corvin.

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Image above: Corvin playing a game with Dr. Tom Chau by raising his eyebrow.

The WB Foundation Board visiting Bloorview.

The WB Foundation Board visiting Bloorview.