Inclusion in the school system and activities that stretch beyond the classroom have dramatically broadened Miranda YatesB次元官网网址� horizons.

Born with Down syndrome, she was diagnosed in Grade 4 with UsherB次元官网网址檚 syndrome type 2, a degenerative eye disease that also involves stable hearing loss.

It was Shiva, her guardian, close friend and constant canine companion, who initially alerted the family to MirandaB次元官网网址檚 vision loss, said her mother, Barbara Yates.

The Colwood family found Shiva in Barkerville after doing a lot of research to find the right dog with the right training, and Miranda and the dog bonded immediately the moment they met.

B次元官网网址淪hiva opened the door to many social connections for Miranda and provided more independence for her at school,B次元官网网址� Yates said.

She and her husband lobbied long and hard to enable their daughter to remain in a regular classroom during her school years.

B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 a difference between inclusion and integration,B次元官网网址� Yates explained. B次元官网网址淚ntegrating someone into the classroom doesnB次元官网网址檛 necessarily mean they are included. We had to fight for that inclusion.B次元官网网址�

Because MirandaB次元官网网址檚 hearing difficulties werenB次元官网网址檛 diagnosed until Grade 4, the family also had to fight for educational assistants who knew sign language as well, Yates said.

Shiva accompanied Miranda to school and allowed her a new level of freedom, as well as helping her build solid friendships that will carry into her adult life that may not have otherwise been possible.

Now 19, Miranda has made remarkable strides since graduating from Belmont secondary in 2015. She followed that with a year at Royal Bay secondary, where she made the honour roll twice and was awarded a scholarship from the Canadian Union of Public Employees.

She has been gaining work experience at Winners in Westshore Town Centre and will begin a pre-employment program at Camosun College in January.

MirandaB次元官网网址檚 passion for sports includes Challengers baseball and kung fu, where she has earned a junior black belt. She also competes in Special Olympics, in both rhythmic gymnastics and snow shoeing. Miranda is especially passionate about her participation in para-equestrian events, including dressage and vaulting, where she regularly places in the top seven competing against riders with no disabilities.

B次元官网网址淚 love keeping busy and I really like horses,B次元官网网址� she said with an infectious smile. B次元官网网址淭he one I ride now, Queen, is very special. She gives me a kiss every time.B次元官网网址� Miranda trains twice a week and plans to compete in the B.C. Summer Games in 2020.

B次元官网网址淚 hope to bring a medal home,B次元官网网址� she added enthusiastically.

She is also looking forward to attending Camosun B次元官网网址� the plan is for her to ride the bus alone to school B次元官网网址� and continuing to work at Winners. B次元官网网址淚 love meeting new people, and the people I work with are really nice.B次元官网网址�

Her mother believes the connections she makes will carry into her adult life.

B次元官网网址淭here are already so many people out there who recognize her abilities and skill sets,B次元官网网址� Yates said. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e always getting stopped for a chat.

B次元官网网址淥ne thing my husband and I always looked at is that you can always learn a skill or academics, but itB次元官网网址檚 more important to develop the ability to advocate for yourself and have friends. You can be smart as a whip, but be isolated and lonely.B次元官网网址�

As Yates is happy to acknowledge, that certainly isnB次元官网网址檛 the case with Miranda. B次元官网网址淭here are so many people to thank for where she is today,B次元官网网址� she said, her mothersB次元官网网址� pride shining through.

reporter@goldstreamgazette.com