Donation of $3,000 to KDH replaces missing wheelchair

submitted by Jenny Read

When a valuable wheelchair went missing from Kemptville District Hospital, the hospital’s Chief Financial Officer and VP Operations, Brittany Rivard reached out to KDH’s insurance provider, McDougall Insurance Brokers Limited, about making an insurance claim.

Account Executive Megan Schooley quickly confirmed that KDH’s deductible was too high to justify submitting a claim. Then, unbeknownst to Rivard, she approached McDougall’s managing partners about the unfortunate situation.

Without hesitation, the partners, including Allis- ter Brown of McDougall Brown Insurance Brokers, responded with an offer to donate the cost of a brand new wheelchair. Rivard explained that the hospital’s Rehab Department was very saddened by the loss of the wheelchair. Valued at approximately $3,000, the specialized wheelchair had been acquired just a few months previously.

KDH Occupational Therapist Sarah Moffat elaborated. “At KDH, our rehab department has a small supply of specialized wheelchairs to support the diverse patient population admitted to the hospital. The loss of even one wheelchair significantly impacts our ability to meet patients’ specific needs. This wheelchair in particular was used for patients who needed a lightweight frame for selfpropulsion, tall seat height, and specialized cushioning for pressure injuries.”

KDH Foundation Board Chair Margret Norenberg gratefully received the cheque for $3,000 from McDougall’s Allister Brown and Megan Schooley. Norenberg expressed the Foundation’s appreciation for the gift. “Because of your generosity, we will be able to replace this key wheelchair in the KDH Rehab Department’s ‘fleet’ of mobility solutions,” she said. “Your gift will hugely benefit pa- tient care and the ability of our Rehab staff to provide customized interventions for their patients.”

Norenberg noted that McDougall Insurance and McDougall Brown Insurance are long-time supporters of the KDH Foundation. Allister Brown, who previously served on the KDH Foundation Board of Directors for more than a decade, stated that the managing partners’ decision to donate the cost of the new wheelchair was a ‘no-brainer’. “As a firm we have a commitment to give back to our communities,” he said. “We want to make a difference.”

Preventing West Nile Virus infections

submitted by LGLD Health Unit

The Leeds Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit would like to remind our citizens that we started our mosquito surveillance program once again in June. This program will be carried through until the end of September. Should you see one of our traps in your neighbourhood, please do not disturb it. These traps are not mosquito control units, so they have no value to property owners, but they are important in identifying mosquitoes and providing a warning that disease causing mosquitoes are present in a given area.

We all play a role in preventing West Nile Virus infections, and when we all do our part we will reduce the risk of this disease in our community.

Each homeowner has the responsibility of removing standing water that provides breeding areas for mosquitoes on their property. Most mosquitoes do not travel large distances and thus those breeding within your space are likely to bite you.

The Municipality is charged with the responsibility of ensuring proper drainage on municipally owned lands and public ditches. The roads departments have the knowledgeable staff and proper equipment to ensure this is achieved. Additionally, it is a municipal responsibility to address complaints regarding standing water on private land within its jurisdiction, using applicable property standards by-laws. Should positive mosquito pools be identified in a municipality, it is also the responsibility of Council to take the necessary control actions as recommended by the Medical Officer of Health.

The Health Unit has the responsibility of assessing the risk for WNV within the Health Unit area. This is accomplished by conducting mosquito surveillance during the summer months. The presence of virus in these natural hosts is an early sign that the virus is gaining a presence in an area. The Health Unit is also responsible for following up any human cases of diseases and, more importantly, trying to prevent human cases by educating the public on personal protection and strategies that reduce mosquito breeding areas.

Individuals have the responsibility to protect themselves from mosquito bites by: avoiding areas with high mosquito populations, wearing light-coloured clothing, including long sleeves, pants and hat, covering exposed skin and using a mosquito repellent containing the appropriate amount of DEET.

For more information, visit the mosquitoes section on this page of the website: Insect Bites and Diseases –Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit. You can also call 1-800660-5853 or follow LGLhealthunit on social media for important public health updates.