Mr. Speaker, in today's integrated education system, children with disabilities are usually able to achieve the same academic successes as other children. In years gone by, this was not so.
For that reason, Donna Giberson, legally blind and suffering from epilepsy and physical disabilities, struggled with her studies and eventually quit school in the seventh grade.
Now, at the age of 62, Ms. Giberson has re-entered the seventh grade in hopes of obtaining her high school diploma.
Ms. Giberson lives in Lakeville, New Brunswick, and studies by correspondence. She spends eight hours a day, six days a week, studying with the aid of a high resolution magnifying glass.
Her hard work is paying off. She recently achieved marks of 100% on two tests and she will finish the seventh grade in the very near future. From there, it is on to the eighth grade and so on, until she receives her high school diploma.
Donna Giberson's story is an inspiration to all those who believe that learning is a lifelong experience. She has made her church, her community and her member of Parliament very proud.