Michael Detheridge felt overwhelmed when he began work on his masterB次元官网网址檚 degree in learning and technology at Royal Roads University.
Exposure to chemical radiation during his service as a medic with the Canadian Forces in Bosnia and Croatia have left his hands, feet, arms and legs burning from the inside out for the last 16 years. Activities as gentle as clicking at keyboard keys can result in painful damage to DetheridgeB次元官网网址檚 tender tissue.
B次元官网网址淭o do a masterB次元官网网址檚 is not an easy thing,B次元官网网址� said Detheridge, who completed the majority of his studies online. B次元官网网址淚 started in the military with (a Grade 9 education). B次元官网网址� To get to the masterB次元官网网址檚 level and not be able to use your hands to write and type B次元官网网址� itB次元官网网址檚 a lot.B次元官网网址�
The seemingly impossible task was made possible by Vicky Helmink, a 2006 grad of Spectrum Community School who was DetheridgeB次元官网网址檚 scribe, researcher and editor throughout the 49-year-oldB次元官网网址檚 stint at Royal Roads. Helmink began working with Detheridge, who lives in Calgary, when he stayed with her family to attend courses. She continued her volunteer support while working part-time and attaining a B.A. in justice studies.
On March 26, Helmink became one of the first Canadians to receive the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubliee Medal, an award given to those who have made significant contributions or achievements. The award, which also marks the QueenB次元官网网址檚 60th year on the throne, will eventually be given to 60,000 Canadians.
B次元官网网址淚 didnB次元官网网址檛 really believe it at first,B次元官网网址� Helmink said. B次元官网网址淚 was like B次元官网网址楴o way, IB次元官网网址檓 only 23. ThatB次元官网网址檚 not possible.B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址�
From 2007 to 2009, while Helmink was 18 through 20, she typed notes, edited documents and created voice commands and codes Detheridge used in the development of a speech recognition program. Computer savvy Helmink also became the unofficial tech support to the entire class, as well as a bit of an assistant in setting up quizzes and participating in group activities.
B次元官网网址淓ven the university was overwhelmed at times to have me,B次元官网网址� said Detheridge. B次元官网网址淭hey recognized right away that Vicky was a huge resource not just to me, but to the whole program. The whole class benefitted from Vicky Helmink being in it.B次元官网网址�
Though the experience often left Helmink feeling spread thin, it also taught her to stay calm, prioritize and multi-task, she said.
B次元官网网址淪he was up to two, three, four oB次元官网网址檆lock in the morning lots and lots and lots of nights and then struggling to do her own work in between MikeB次元官网网址檚,B次元官网网址� added HelminkB次元官网网址檚 B次元官网网址渆xtremely proudB次元官网网址� mother, Christine Knox.
Helmink has followed in her familyB次元官网网址檚 long-standing tradition of volunteer endeavours since helping out with the B.C. Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals as a young child. Detheridge, who nominated Helmink for the award, also submitted a successful application for HelminkB次元官网网址檚 House of Commons Volunteer citation.
B次元官网网址淪heB次元官网网址檚 wonderful to deal with. SheB次元官网网址檚 very positive B次元官网网址� one of the most positive people IB次元官网网址檝e ever met, especially for a young person,B次元官网网址� Detheridge said. B次元官网网址淪heB次元官网网址檚 a very humble individual. I wish there were more people like her.B次元官网网址�
nnorth@saanichnews.com
