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Two broken hearts become one

Mother brings message of hope close to home

Powell Riverites will have an opportunity to hear inspired stories of hope about a boy, his disability and his service dog at a presentation sponsored by 4children.ca.

Donnie Winokur is a passionate advocate for her son Lyal and those who share his disability of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD), which affects one of every 100 live births in the United States and Europe.

Winokur’s story Wonder Dog was recently featured in the New York Times Magazine. It shared how FASD impacted her family and Wonder Dog became the number one researched and emailed story for the next 30 days, capturing the hearts and souls of readers worldwide.

Winokur’s outreach extends to the international level in the field of developmental disabilities. From 2005 to 2009 Winokur established the first state affiliate of the National Orgnization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome in Georgia.

In 2008, Lyal obtained the first certified FASD assistance dog in North America. Since then, Winokur has presented to international experts on the profound benefits of providing service dogs for children with FASD and other invisible disabilities.

Winokur’s writing about FASD has been published in many journals and magazines. For her most recent book, she writes from the service dog, Chancer’s perspective and the book is geared toward six to eight year olds. Her next book, Wounded in the Womb, will be published for adults and shares her family’s journey from adoption to the present.

Winokur has been invited by 4children.ca to share her knowledge, experience and inspiring story through a public presentation 9:30 am to 3:30 pm on Monday, April 16, at Cranberry Seniors’ Centre. Admission to the presentation is $75 plus HST.

Winokur’s topics, FASD—You can’t see what you don’t know, dispelling myths and embracing realities and service dogs and understanding their powerful intervention for persons with FASD, allow others to share and learn from this family’s incredible journey.

For information about the event, interested readers can contact CC Duncan at info@4children.ca, phone 604.483.9867 or visit the website.