Graduate student receives $20,000 scholarship to pursue master’s degree

Graduate student receives $20,000 scholarship to pursue master’s degree in rehabilitation science to help children with disabilities today at Toronto Rehab’s Research Day

November 26, 2010 – Eric Wan knows the profound impact that technology can have on helping people with disabilities lead more fulfilling and productive lives. Assistive devices, such as an adaptive switch that allows him to use the phone and a head-tracking device that he uses to control his computer, have enabled him to regain some independence. Fourteen years ago, when Eric was just 18 years old, he was rushed to hospital unable to move and struggling to breathe. For four months he laid in intensive care where he was diagnosed with transverse myelitis, an inflammation of the spinal cord. He is now quadriplegic and needs a ventilator to breathe. Eric is also a successful graduate student who has helped children with disabilities gain some independence through the use of rehabilitation engineering technology.

Today, Eric received a scholarship to support his pursuit of a master’s degree. He joins a growing number of recipients of the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute (Toronto Rehab) Scholarship in Rehabilitation-related Research for Graduate Students with Disabilities. Eric was presented with his scholarship at a special ceremony during Toronto Rehab's sixth annual Research Day.

The scholarship program, believed to be the first of its kind in Canada, will provide Eric with $20,000 plus additional funding for educational expenses incurred as a result of his disability. The funding will help Eric pursue a master’s degree in Applied Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering. The scholarship is made possible by TD Bank Financial Group, which has pledged $550,000 to date for the TD Grants in Medical Excellence: A Scholarship in Rehabilitation-Related Research for People with Disabilities. Toronto Rehab created the scholarship program to engage people with disabilities in a meaningful way in rehabilitation research. At the same time, their involvement will enhance the relevance and quality of rehabilitation research and break down the barriers that students with disabilities often face when pursuing higher education.

“Students with disabilities are often passionate about solving the real-life problems they face as a result of their disabilities,” says Eric. “This scholarship will allow me to complete my specialized training in paediatric rehabilitation so that I can make a difference not only in my own life but also in the lives of children with disabilities.”

Toronto Rehab’s annual Research Day showcases the scientific work taking place at the hospital and celebrates the successes of its graduate students and researchers. The goal of the day is to encourage further discussion, debate, collaboration and growth of the hospital's $12 million research program in rehabilitation science.

“This scholarship program is important because out of the four million people living with a disability in Canada, only about eight per cent complete a bachelor’s degree, for example,” says Geoff Fernie, vice president of research at Toronto Rehab. “We recognize Eric’s potential as a research leader of the future and we are very pleased to help him develop both academically and professionally. Eric has a strong practical understanding of the challenges facing kids with disabilities and has already shown the creativity and technical ability to provide significant solutions.”

Eric started his master’s degree this fall at the University of Toronto and will conduct research into how to help children with communication impairments better communicate and function more independently through the use of technology.

It all started in 2005 when Eric began working as a summer student with Dr. Tom Chau, Canada Research Chair in Paediatric Rehabilitation Engineering and head of Holland Bloorview’s Paediatric Rehabilitation Intelligent Systems Multidisciplinary (PRISM) lab. Over the next five years, Eric contributed significantly to over a dozen different projects including the development and commercialization of software called the “Virtual Music Instrument”. The technology allows children with disabilities who cannot use conventional musical instruments to play music. As a former student of the violin, Eric believes that playing music is important to every child because it facilitates creative thinking. The technology won a 2010 da Vinci Award, which rewards innovative assistive technologies from around the world.

Eric will complete his master’s under the supervision of Dr. Chau, who is also an adjunct scientist at Toronto Rehab.

Past scholarship recipients, Laura Moll and Nadine Richard were also honoured today at Research Day with the renewal of their scholarships.

Reza Javaheri who previously received a training award through the scholarship program, has now completed his PhD and is doing his post doctorate fellowship in Toronto Rehab’s spinal cord rehabilitation research program.

For more information on Toronto Rehab’s scholarship program, go to: http://www.torontorehab.com/Research/Students-and-Trainees/Awards-and-Scholarships/Toronto-Rehab-Scholarship-in-Rehabilitation-relate.aspx