Humanitarian award recognizes contributions to those with disabilities
A Niagara resident is being recognized for his contributions to improve life for those with disabilities.
Niagara Region named James Rennie as the 2018 recipient of the T. Roy Adams Humanitarian Award for his work with the Tetra Society Hamilton-Halton-Niagara Chapter. Rennie participated in 24 projects, adding to over 1,500 hours of volunteer service, said a press release from the Region.
Rennie said he wasn’t aware he had been nominated for the award until he received the call that he won.
“I was totally surprised by it,” he said. “But, I guess it feels good now.”
Rennie said he first sought to address the needs of those with disabilities “many, many years ago,” when he met a woman who wanted to play with her children on the ground, but was restricted from doing so because she was in a wheelchair.
He began looking for a solution, but was unable to dedicate the time to find one as he grew busy with work.
In 2008, Rennie revisited this interest when he discovered the Tetra Society and began volunteering with them.
One of the devices Rennie helped design is a crib which can be used by those unable to bend over.
Rennie said the crib is placed on a table at the correct level for the user and is accessible from barn-like doors on one side.
While the unique cribs are primarily use by people in wheelchairs, Rennie said they were also designed for those with a sore back or dwarfism.
“A standard crib would not work for them,” he said.
Additionally, Rennie participated in the creation of bocce ball launchers, which allow children with varying disabilities to participate in the sport. The device was used by the Brock Niagara Penguins, BCM International (Canada) Handi *Camp and Heartland Forest.
Rennie also worked on ramping systems and platforms for home access, a modified scooter seat, personalized trays for eating and working, camera mounts for wheelchairs and a footrest for a racing wheelchair, according to the press release.
When asked what he would do with his award, Rennie said he hadn’t thought about it yet.
He added, “I think it’s a good thing that people are recognized for the volunteer work that they do.”
This year marks the sixteenth anniversary of the T. Roy Adams award. Adams served as the mayor of St. Catharines from 1976 to 1985 and as a regional councillor from 1988 to 2002.