How the Tanabe Bursary helps students with CP

Did you know? The average lifetime cost of care for an individual with CP is $1.5 million.

Education plays a big role in empowering people with CP to realize their full potential and ambitions. On March 15^th 2018, our fourth Life Without Limits Gala will partially raise funds for a life-changing initiative: the Tanabe Education Bursary.

About the Tanabe Bursary

Since 1994, CPABC has been providing financial assistance in the form of a bursary to students with CP. Students living with CP also take longer than the average student to complete their studies due to physical limitations. Many of our bursary recipients show significant financial need, with several coming from single income-homes. With this Education Bursary, we are proud to support students with CP who are engaging in post-secondary education, so that they can live a life without limits.

Facts and figures

• The average age range of our students are between 17 – 31 years
• 30% of recipients come from the Lower Mainland e.g. Vancouver, Surrey, Delta, North Van, Coquitlam, Langley, Maple Ridge, Richmond
• 70% of recipients live outside of the Lower Mainland e.g. Chilliwack, Fernie, Fort Nelson, Kamloops, Nanaimo, Prince George, Prince Rupert, Victoria etc
• Our bursary recipients have quite diverse interests – they are registered in everything from civil engineering, education, and criminology, to business administration, digital animation, and creative writing!

What impact does the Tanabe Bursary have on students living with CP?

Here are some testimonials from our past Bursary recipients:

“Having a disability can be challenging. To know that there is a group of individuals and an organization behind you that supports and believes in you is very motivating and uplifting. I am and will be forever grateful to you for this award!” – Sarah Gerow, Kamloops (Geographic Information Systems)

 

“It isn’t easy going to university, especially with a disability.  I don’t fit in because I simply don’t fit the mold.  This bursary will help me build my own, unique mold.  Your gift … is proof that there are caring people who genuinely believe that I’m worth investing in.  You give me and determination to do whatever I’d like with my future!” – Kathleen Dorsey, North Vancouver (Creative Writing)

“Independence was my main goal growing up as a person with a disability; however, I have learned that everyone needs help at times. I hope to help kids at risk and kids with disabilities in the near future. I plan to one day open up my own summer camp called the Phoenix, where the children can work together in becoming more independent and successful.” – Conan Winkelmeyer, Prince George (Double major in Psychology and Education)

 

“As of today, my plan is to get a Ph.D. and teach as a professor. This will be a long, hard road, but I think I’m up to it – I think I will excel. I am very grateful to the Cerebral Palsy Association for their contribution to my life – and to my dreams.” – Frank Robertson, Cranbrook (Bachelor of Science in Psychology)

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Learn more about the Tanabe Bursary

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