The Guardian (Charlottetown)

Angels in the sky and on the ground

- CINDY DAY Cindy Day is SaltWire Network’s Chief Meteorolog­ist.

I write a column every day. Yet, today, it is difficult to find the words to describe my experience with the Blue Angels. You can watch the video at https:// www.thechronic­leherald.ca/ weather/cindy-days-column/ video-eat-your-heart-out-iceman-cindy-day-flies-withthe-blue-angels-345757/ and perhaps you’ll see what I mean.

Before taking to the air on Tuesday, I met a remarkable man I want you to get to know. His name is Jordan Sheriko and he, too, was chosen to fly with the Blue Angels.

At every Air Show, two people are chosen to take to the air: one media representa­tive and one person known as a Key Influencer. The Key Influencer is defined as one who has helped shape attitudes and opinions of youth in their communitie­s.

Jordan Sheriko grew up in Wolfville, N.S., and studied psychology and biology at Acadia University. After graduating from Acadia, he completed medical school and completed his pediatric residency at Dalhousie University.

Following his education at Dalhousie, he completed a fellowship in pediatric physical medicine and rehabilita­tion through the University of Ottawa in conjunctio­n with the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario and The Ottawa Hospital Rehabilita­tion Centre. Starting in July 2017, his current position is Medical Director of IWK Rehabilita­tion Services, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Dalhousie University. His specialist position focuses on pediatric physical medicine and rehabilita­tion. He is the first of his kind in Nova Scotia.

A great education, a great start and a great big heart…

The driving force behind Jordan’s life came when he was four, and his father developed brain cancer. His family travelled back and forth to Montreal for treatment. Jordan’s father passed away during Jordan’s first week of medical school. That’s what led him, his brothers and his mother to found Camp Triumph because there was no resource for those boys.

In 2005, Jordan, along with his family, co-founded Camp Triumph. Their goal was to create the first camp in Atlantic Canada that was specifical­ly for children with a family member who suffered from chronic illness or a disability. That first year, one week-long camp was held to accommodat­e 40 kids. The organizati­on raised approximat­ely $10,000. Jordan is not only co-founder of a camp for youth, open to children across the country, he created it for a largely forgotten niche of the population.

“It is the only residentia­l summer camp in Canada serving children 7 to 17 who have a parent or sibling with a significan­t chronic illness or disability…”

More details about the camp can be found online at www. camptriump­h.ca.

Beyond his efforts with Camp Triumph, over the last 14 years his daily life as a specialist doctor in a key and growing field of pediatrics has him involved in improving the lives of children from across Atlantic Canada, day in and day out.

I’d like to thank the Blue Angels for their commitment to recognizin­g and promoting the cause and message of wonderful people like Jordan Sheriko.

On Tuesday, I was flying with the Angels. And I met one whose feet are well-grounded in our region.

 ??  ?? Kyle offers last minute instructio­n to Jordan Sheriko. Minutes after this photo was taken, the Key Inćuencer was heading down the runway about to embark on a well-deserved ćight of a lifetime.
Kyle offers last minute instructio­n to Jordan Sheriko. Minutes after this photo was taken, the Key Inćuencer was heading down the runway about to embark on a well-deserved ćight of a lifetime.

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