(TLN) Santa Claus himself is inviting Laval’s many families to come out and meet him – while at the same time donating a gift for the needy – during a special pre-Christmas event taking place at the Maison des Jeunes at Place publique de Sainte-Dorothée on Sat. Dec. 7 from 10 am to 3 pm.

Bring books or toys

During the event, families are asked to bring either books or toys in good condition as gifts. Santa in turn will redistribute them to needy children in Laval through various community organizations.

In addition to having the opportunity to meet Santa, the children will also be able to take part in handicrafts activities, take a horse-drawn sleigh ride and borrow books from the Laval library network’s Bibliomobile.

Teddy bears for some

As well, a few lucky ones will receive mini-teddy bears especially made by members of the Cercle des fermières de Sainte-Dorothée (available in limited quantities).

The event is being organized by Loisirs Sainte-Dorothée, the Cercle des fermières de Sainte-Dorothée, the Chevaliers de Colomb Sainte-Dorothée, the Société Saint-Vincent-de-Paul de Sainte-Dorothée, the Chœur de Sainte-Dorothée and the Maison des jeunes de Sainte-Dorothée, in conjunction with the City of Laval.

Renata Isopo

Neuroscience research suggests that learning outcomes are not solely determined by the environment.  Biological factors play an important role in accounting for differences in learning ability between individuals.  The emerging field of Educational Neuroscience presents opportunities as well as challenges for education.  It provides means to develop a common language and bridge the gulf between educators, psychologists, and neuroscientists.

Laval resident Cindy Hovington, PHD in Neuroscience from McGill University, recipient of six awards and author of eight journal articles, has impressive credentials in the field.

This is Dr. Hovington’s fascinating story as told to TLN.

Tell us about your educational background.

I am a doctor of Philosophy, Neurology, and Neurosurgery. I graduated McGill University in 2013.  My thesis was based on Defining Persistent Negative Symptoms and Identifying their Neurocognitive and Neuroanatomical Correlates. I also completed a Post- Doctoral Fellow at McGill in Education in 2013.  And, I was also accepted into Harvard. In 2008, I attended Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario I completing a Master’s in Rehabilitation Science. I also attended Concordia University in 2006, obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Clinical Exercise Physiology. 

You were part of Brain Reach at McGill.  What is it and what does it lead to?

It’s an integrated program in Neuro science.  I created Neuro-science-based presentations for young students in collaboration with committee members.  I taught the program and worked with grade 4 and 5 students in English and French schools on a monthly basis.

Simply stated, Neuro education is a nascent discipline that blends the collective fields of Neuro science, psychology, cognitive science, and education to create a better understanding of how children learn and how this can be used to create more effective teaching methods, curricula, and educational policy.  This interaction is already opening critical new dialogues between teachers, administrators, school boards, parents, and brain scientists.

Education is about enhancing learning and neuro science is about understanding the verbal process in learning.  This common ground suggests a future in which educational practice can be transformed by science, although merging neuro science with education is rather new — about 15 years.

What is your greatest accomplishment?

I launched the “Curious Neuron” website last year because learning is through curiosity and neurons must be stimulated in order to learn, thus the name. Curious Neuron discusses different aspects of the brain through articles and discussion groups composed of various professionals.  I’m the only neuro scientist on the team, which includes psychologists, psychiatrists, counselors, and teachers.  We’re international, 70 countries visit the website.  We get instant feedback from Instagram, etc.  However, research changes rapidly; after six months, you’re out of the loop, and then you can’t get back in if you don’t keep up.  It’s a tough job.

What are your objectives with Curious Neuron?

To keep building our team as a huge resource for parents, giving them the tools for easy access to activities, with articles backing the activities.  For example, what is homework bringing to children? Executive Functions such as organization and planning, and attention skills.  Not born with these skills, we have to develop them.  The lower the skills, the more you struggle in school.  Extensive information is offered to parents, teachers, counselors, and others who  trouble shoot different intellectual areas.  It’s a great aid.

You have two lovely pre-school children and another on the way. How do you teach or interact with them?

There’s absolutely no screen time and no battery operated games for them.  They learn through play.  It’s an important way of bonding.  They are given blocks, marbles, paper, and coloring books to practice gross and fine motor skills.  Kids don’t need much since they’ll discover how to play through independence. They create their own imaginative games.

Do you have any advice for parents and schools?

Be more mindful about brain functioning behavior response.  Be aware of the environment and how quickly brains develop. The environment plays a huge role and quickly changes the architecture of your brain, particularly 0-5 years old.  The brain makes connections and they are pruning.  Explore as much as possible – music, languages, dance.  Don’t create a mundane environment.  Teachers have to be aware of aspects of brain functioning such as exam anxiety, attention span.  Don’t have expectations that can’t be met.  Create the foundation to build cognitive skills, brain skills that will help in school.  Feedback on grades where improvement needs are essential..   

How did you get here?

I graduated Laval Catholic High School in 2000.  Ironically, I struggled with all my Sciences and that was a problem because that’s where I wanted to be.  The system made it impossible for me to get into those courses because I wasn’t achieving the marks.  I didn’t give up my desire because that’s what I loved and that’s where I wanted to be, and that’s where I am now.

How did it turn around? What is your priority? Who’s your hero?

Strangely, I also struggled in CEGEP to the point where I was pulled out.  Then something just clicked-changed.  I figured myself out.  I did one year of Developmental Science at Dawson College — I couldn’t get into it in high school but I did here, determined to get into Health Sciences. The rest is history.  I also started volunteering with researchers, sparking my interest and I had a strong drive to continue into the field. My priority is family. My mom is my true hero, my brother, my uncle and my grandparents are my angels.

Do you remember your quote in Laval Catholic High School’s 2000 Yearbook? Your last words to classmates?

Yes.  “It’s not what happens in your life, it’s what you do about it. A smile is your most powerful weapon in life and remember angels are everywhere.”

Martin C. Barry

What should you do if you suspect that you or a loved one may be having symptoms of an on-coming stroke?

According to an expert who spoke at the Agape English-speaking Senior Wellness Centre in Chomedey last week, you shouldn’t hesitate to call 9-1-1.

Reacting fast crucial

That’s because what you do during the first few hours after the onset of a stroke will make all the difference in the severity of an attack, as well as the length of time it could take to recover following a stroke.

The technical phrase for a stroke is cerebro vascular accident (CVA), said Suzie Gagnon, a nurse/clinician at the Jewish Rehabilitation Hospital. However, there are many different kinds of strokes, all depending on which of the many zones of the brain are affected.

“Some people will have a stroke in the frontal lobe,” she said. “Some of them it’s going to be in the parietal lobe. It could be in the occipital, temporal, brain stem. Depending where it is you’ll have different symptoms.”

A hopeful message

Although she described some of the serious damage that strokes do to the brain and the consequent symptoms, Gagnon was quick to reassure the overflow crowd of seniors at the Wellness Centre.

“Don’t worry, there’s hope at the end,” she said, noting that modern medicine has come up with a wider range of effective treatments than ever for stroke. All the same, stroke remains one of the most challenging medical conditions faced by patients.

As Gagnon pointed out, the main risk factor for stroke is high blood pressure. Other risk factors include tobacco smoking, obesity, high blood cholesterol, diabetes and atrial fibrillation (an abnormal heart rhythm characterized by rapid and irregular beating).

Types of stroke

There are two types of stroke: ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke. The former is typically caused by blockage of a blood vessel. The latter is caused by either bleeding directly into the brain or into the space between the brain’s membranes. Blood clots that form and circulate in the blood stream are also a crucial factor.

And then there is the Transient ischemic attack (TIA), the so-called “mini stroke,” said Gagnon. “The blood circulates well, but then suddenly there’s a blockage. But a few minutes later, maybe one hour later, everything returns to normal. The blood clot dissolves and the circulation returns.”

Check for symptoms

She advised that when these types of symptoms manifest themselves, “it’s a serious warning sign of a stroke. You have 50 per cent risk of having a stroke in the next 48 hours.” As well, you can remain at risk of a stroke for up to three months under these circumstances, she added.

Her advice? “I want you to go to the hospital, even if it went away,” she said. “There’s a reason why it happens. Maybe your blood pressure is too high. Maybe your diabetes is not well controlled. Maybe you have a carotid which is blocked. We have to do some tests to see why it’s happening. So please go to the hospital. And, like I said, emergency.”

Good news about stroke

Although the physical consequences of stroke can include anything from limb weakness in minor cases, to partial or complete paralysis with major strokes, Gagnon’s good news was that “it’s all reversible” with the proper treatment. For that reason, she continued, “I want you to learn those symptoms” to better respond.

During the presentation, two handouts published by the Heart & Stroke Foundation were presented to all participants. The first, a quick reference card, offers some handy information on learning the signs of stroke. The second, a booklet offering more comprehensive information on stroke, summarized a good deal of the information in Gagnon’s presentation.

Attendance good at centre

Located at 3860 Notre Dame Blvd. Suite 305 in Chomedey, the Agape English-speaking Senior Wellness Centre offers a range of activities and presentations related to health and well-being for seniors throughout the year.

There was capacity attendance at last week’s presentation. Agape executive-director Kevin McLeod said in an interview afterwards that the Wellness Centre has become so popular that the organization is currently looking for larger premises to accommodate everyone.

(TLN) Recently re-elected Liberal MP for Laval Les-Iles Fayçal El-Khoury took the oath of office (above photo). The ceremony took place with friends and families present.

The Bible he used for his oath is the same his granfather had as an Orthodox priest in Lebanon.

Mr. El-Khoury underlined that he is honoured to serve once the citizens of the riding that reflects the Canadian Multiculturalism Mosaic. “Ι promise that with my team at my Laval and Ottawa offices will work once more hard to serve the needs of all communities. With the leadership of our Prime Minister Justin Trudeau we will continue to work for the benefit of all especially the middle class families”, he stated.