We loved New Brunswick!
We had 4 presentations and a book signing.
Interviews with radio, TV and newspaper below.
Click here  and scroll down 

We met the only person with CdLS in all of New Brunswick.
Jayden is 9 years old and loved the rats.
Jayden's family got interviewed by radio and TV too !!!!

Here are the winners of the rat races:
Jay Bee, Chewy, Chewy, Jay Bee
What 's going on with Gerry?
Squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeak!

We may have found 3 other families with CdLS in New Brunswick! We hope to hear from them soon.

New Brunswick

Here we come!

Squeak!

We are touring New Brunswick in June!
4 schools and 1 book signing
Excited to meet new people and catch up with friends.
Check it out : click here
Rat are coming too.
SQUEAK !

Book Signing /  June 12, 2013 /  4-7 PM
Chapters. Indigo
499 Paul Drive, Dieppe, New Brunswick

Matthew spoke to his principal about Melanie and Tommy and their presentations.

The school invited them to present to the elementary students. Matthew offered to help. He would be the interviewer. It was great!

The school invited Tommy and Melanie back for another presentation. This time, they would be presenting for the High School Students. This would be Tommy and Melanie first High School audience ever!

 It was amazing! Squeak!

Jay Bee was too lazy to race.

Thank You Matthew for your support!

Selwyn House School

Montreal, Canada

Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Award Ceremony

View the full ceremony -  15 minutes
Choir, Propeller Dance and Bagpiper
Thanks everyone...it was perfect!
Click here to view ceremony

Words cannot express how proud we are!
The full ceremony will be posted later this week.

Here is a short news clip from CTV,
Click here to view
and an  article posted in the  Ottawa Citizen.
Click here to read

We would like to thank Manotick Public School and everyone else for all their support!...squeak!

Montreal was so exciting!
We had a presentation at Selwyn House School.
The first rat race was tied !
A great excuse to have a second race...
We had an interview with Global Montreal, ate poutine for lunch and rode the Metro!

Click here to view video

Squeak!

Interview on television - Accessibility in Action Toronto
Click here for video
Some friends from North Gower School made it on TV as well.
Guess who won the race ?
Squeak.

                         

        On behalf of His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, 

       Governor General of Canada, Tommy has been selected  to receive the 

       Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal

      for his work in raising awareness about Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CDLS).

      Tommy will probably  receive his award in February.

      Squeak !

      Book Signing

        December 8, 2012 1-3PM

        Propeller Dance Community Day

        Richelieu-Vanier Community Centre

        300, avenue des Pères Blancs

        Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

        Squeak!

Speaker Night
 Holland Bloomview Kids Rehabilitiation Hospital.

The presentation was posted on Bloom Blog.
What an honour!
Click here for video.
It is 20 minutes.
First part: example of a school presentation.
Second part: Tommy the Sibling.
Ends with a rat race. Guess who wins? Squeak.
                                                                             

We are invited to speak at Bloom Speaker Night
November 8, 2012
Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital 

Toronto, Ontario7-9 PM

Topic: Siblings

As parents, I don't think we truly understand the extent of how siblings feel.

Tommy is always finding new ways to connect with his sister.

He selected number  13 this year on his hockey jersey.

why?

Melanie's birthday.

Melanie's favourite number.

Melanie will be able to recognize him on the ice during a game.

Squeak!

Melanie started her Propeller Dancing lessons.

Based in Ottawa, Propeller Dance is the only organization in Ontario with the sole mandate of providing dance programming to children, youth and adults with and without disability.  Click here for Link

It was amazing, beautiful and really well organized!
Melanie loves to dance!
The rats love to dance!
Everyone should be allowed to dance!
Squeak.

We couldn't bring Jay Bee with us to the hospital for day surgery...so we brought two plush rats.
Melanie was happy to see them when she woke up!
Squeak. Squeak.

Cdls Conference in Chicago

Rats loved the fluffy pillows.
What a huge conference!
Tommy and Melanie had 2 presentations.
Many new families to meet.
Click here for 2min. video

Rick Guidotti, photographer from New York city took this photo.
It was so amazing to meet him! Squeak.

In 1998, Rick founded Positive Exposure, a non profit organization, that challenges stigma associated with difference by pioneering a new vision of the beauty and richness of genetic diversity. Rick’s photo essay “Redefining Beauty” in Life Magazine won the Genetic Alliance’s “Art of Reporting” award. Click here for Positive Exposure

         Tommy and Gerry stayed up to watch
          L.A. win the  Stanley Cup.
          Melanie and Jay Bee fell asleep.
          Squeak!

Dickinson Day Parade

Very wet.
Thanks everyone for your support.
Rats enjoyed the ride.
Squeak!

CdLS Conference in Toronto.
Tommy wore his special
squeak tie.
Melanie was very nervous
 so she asked
Victoria Johnson ( PhD student )
to sit beside her for support.

The rats were not invited but were not forgotten.
Rats earrings were a big hit!
Squeak!
click here to view 3 minute video

   Surprise Book Signings in May.
   All proceeds go to CHEO.
   We hope to see you somewhere in Ottawa.
   Squeak!

We all had to get our hair and make-up done before interview. Even the Rats.

AIA interview will be on TV in September.
Interview will be posted on website as well.
Squeak.

Happy Birthday Melanie !

Squeak out the NEW RAT VIDEO 3
I hope you like it!

Click here and scroll down .
Squeak.

Melanie and Tommy both received 20$ today.
Tommy put the money in his wallet.
Melanie had very interesting plans for her 20$.
Squeak.

We went to Cobourg for a hockey tournament.
Squeaked in a presentation.
Our new RAT RACE made the news.
Guess who won?
Click here for video.
Squeak.

Jay Bee wishing JB Happy 18th Birthday !!Squeak.

Melanie wanted to meet Abby. Tommy wanted to meet Ridley. The rats wanted to meet everybody.Click here to view   Squeak.

Website has reached 300,000 hits.

We made flags of the top 10 countries.

Do you recognize any ?

Squeak on the move. Squeak.

Hello Kitty is not talking to the Grinch?
Anyone know why?
Squeak?

               Squeak!

Barbie is so excited about her new  baby pet rats!

                         squeak...squeak...squeak

Smokey met Santa last night !
HOHOHO !
Squeeeeeeeeeeeak!

Christmas Parade in Manotick !
We wish you a Merry Squeakmas !
Squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeak !

December Chocolate Calendar !
Melanie can't eat chocolate.
Smokey can't eat chocolate.
So Tommy did not eat chocolate.
Thanks Tommy.
Squeeeeeeeak !

Tommy's pet rat " Ninja"  passed away.
We held a very special ceremony
with many  special friends
for a very special rat.
Squeak!
 Click here video

Andrew Fleck Child Care Services had their 100th anniversary.
Theme: 100 people who have made a difference.
Tommy was invited as a guest speaker. ( click here to view 8 minutes )
Tommy and Melanie are invited back in 25 years for opening of time capsule.

Happy Halloween!
Squeak!

Exciting Weekend coming up!
Saturday:  Book signign at My Toy Shop, 10AM - Noon
Dolls, plush rats, rat jewellery ...

Sunday: Boxcar Derby, Manotick Arena, 10AM - 4PM
Guess what Tommy wanted his boxcar to look like?
Squeak.

Back to school...squeak!

Our first annual funraising event for CdLS Canada.

Featuring : Johnn Mann from the band - Spirit of the West

MC : Wendy Daniels from radio station 106.9 (the Bear )

Event coordinator:  Lyndsay Walsh  ( lyndsaye.walsh@gmail.com)

Date: August 29, 2011

Time: 6-10pm

Place: La Piazza, Manotick

Tickets are now available at La Piazza ...20$

Squeeeeeeeeeak!

We love camping.
We always meet interesting new friends.
Squeeeeeeak!

We made it across the border.  New York city is so exciting!Squeeeeeeeeeeeak !



Happy Canada Day !
Squeeeeeeeeeeeak!



We were at the Children's Hospital this week ( CHEO).

We met a nurse who was wearing  one of our rat necklaces.She bought our necklace last week at the fair.WOW! Tommy and Melanie were sooooooooooo excited.Her name is Carla.THANK YOU CARLA....SQUEEEEEEEEAK!!!!!!!!!!!

Dickinson Day Manotick
The rats got to meet a lot of people. We sold rat necklaces and rat earrings.
Melanie was scared to ride her bike in the parade so Tommy pulled her in a wagon.
Tommy got to paint  a rat face on a fireman.
The rats were hot. Some people are really scared of rats!
Squeeeeeeeeak!

New rat video will be posted in just 7 more days!
 Squeeeeeeeeak !

A Morning Ottawa News was sooooo early in the morning!
Squeak !
Video is now posted on website.

Happy Easter Weekend!
Squeak!

Happy Birthday Melanie!
Squeak!