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David Owen Ward
April 19, 1983 - March 3, 2012
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<div itemprop="description"> <p> David Owen Ward <br /> <br /> David passed away suddenly on Saturday, March 3 during a storm that knocked out power to the breathing apparatus on which his life depended. An incredible man of 28, Dave was afflicted with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Despite this progressive and degenerative disease, he was determined to live his life to the fullest. And as anyone who knew him would agree, he did just that. </p> <p> Dave spent the last five years working on his first novel, &lsquo;Scarab In The Fountain&rsquo;, a thriller about murder, discrimination and revenge. During this time, he enjoyed working with, and learning from, author Sarah Selecki (nominee for the Giller Prize in 2010). At the time of his death, he was busy looking for the right publisher and compiling ideas for future books. Dave had already started writing the screenplay for what he hoped would be the movie based on his novel one day.&nbsp; <br /> <br /> As a speaker at high school forums, Dave was passionate about sharing his message on bullying, discrimination and inclusiveness. He had his own website (davidowenward.com) and wrote regular blogs, both to teach others that the &lsquo;differently-abled&rsquo; are just like everybody else, and to enlighten them about the challenges he faced living with a crippling muscle disease.&nbsp; <br /> <br /> He was also engaged in a number of projects including last year&rsquo;s planning committee for the Walk for Muscular Dystrophy. &lsquo;Team Buddy&rsquo; (consisting of friends and family) was one of many teams that enjoyed the beautiful spring day by the lake, completed the walk and helped raise money for this worthy cause. Dave had already signed up for this year&rsquo;s committee. Believing that a city the size of Toronto could do better than the $36,000 raised last year, he was determined to build more awareness for the annual walk and increase donations substantially. </p> Dave also enjoyed participating in studies with both Holland Bloorview and the University of Toronto on young men with DMD and their quality of life. <br /> <br /> <br /> Dave was an inspiration for a wide range of friends and relatives. His passing leaves a huge hole in the hearts of many... Mom &amp; Dad Gail and Chris, brother Mike, his Nana Agnes and many aunts, uncles and cousins... Deb, Jim, Dana, Gail, Amanda, Spencer, Kyle, Brock, Shane, Sarah Jane, Hannah, his best friend and &lsquo;brother from another mother&rsquo; Warren and his pal, Buddy along with more than 3,000 Twitter followers. &nbsp; <br /> Over the years Dave had a number of wonderful caregivers, many of whom are here today and as we described it &quot;pretended to be me&quot; while I was away from home. I would like to thank you for all your help and if I leave anyone out, I hope you can forgive me. My Mom, Dave's Nana (Agnes Owen) who enjoyed their mutual adoration for each other. Dave's longest-surviving caregiver who is not a blood relative but feels like one is our good family friend, Arlene Nelson. Arlene helped Dave for over 25 years with incredible loyalty, dedication and loving care. Tom Petersen who as Dave's Teaching Assistant initially and then caregiver was instrumental in ensuring Dave was able to finish high school at Don Mills Collegiate and continue studying at Seneca College. Movies were both their passion and they enjoyed many together. Karen Micallef, who's beautiful wedding we attended, was one of Dave's many opponents in the game of Scrabble. More recently, Shalaish and Sasha both enriched Dave's life with stories of their backgrounds and customs and taught him and Michael how to say a few words in their languages, (not all polite I'm sure). Fred Gaby who was just getting to know Dave building a new relationship. Elderfield Carr who for years faithfully put Dave into bed so I could then say goodnight. Michael Heizlig, who helped us over the last year make sure Dave was as spiffy and well put together as he could be. And last but certainly not least our dear ex-neighbour Barry Brooks who, even after he moved would show up at a moment's notice to keep him company while I went out. He officiated at our private service for David on March 8th and again today for the commitment. Our family needed all of you very much and again we say thank you. <br /> <br /> We would be terribly remiss if we didn't thank the medical professionals who have kept our son as healthy as possible for as long as possible. Firstly, our friends Dr. Doug Biggar and&nbsp;nurse, Vivien Harris, back when the centre was known as Hugh MacMillan, helped us with all of Dave's changing needs for years, and introduced us to the new steroid deflazacort that aids in keeping all DMD patients as strong as possible with as few side affects as possible. Kathleen, Julia, Nadia and Angie are terrific nurses at Holland Bloorview whose expertise we counted on and appreciated too many times. Dave's terrific Respirologist, Dr. Doug McKim, RT specialist Carole LeBlanc and staff at the Ottawa Hospital Respiratory Clinic who were instrumental in allowing David to live and thrive the way he wanted to with non-invasive ventilation. The wonderful Dr. A. Azevedo and Dr. C. Silversides, both Cardiologists at Toronto General (part of the University Hospital Network), who kept his heart working well. Dr. M. Telch, Dr. Deif and nurse Elizabeth at North York General Hosp Intervention Radiology, who brought Dave back from a mere 85lbs. to a much healthier weight. And Dr. L. Lee who helped Dave manage his incapacitating migraines. To each and every one of you we cannot thank you enough for your caring and wonderful expertise, looking after our beloved son David.&nbsp; <br /> <br /> <br /> A celebration of Dave's life will be held on Wednesday, April 4 at 4pm at the Mount Pleasant Cemetery &amp; Visitation Centre, 375 Mount Pleasant Road, Toronto (east gate entrance, north of St. Clair Ave, 416.485.5572). <br /> <p> In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of David can be made to the following organizations and will be greatly appreciated:&nbsp;&nbsp; <strong> Please see links on donations tab.&nbsp; </strong> </p> <p> &nbsp;&middot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Dr. Doug Biggar Endowment Fund: Please call 416.424.3809 or visit Holland Bloorview.ca (go to &lsquo;Foundation&rsquo; and then Dr. Doug Biggar Endowment). </p> <p> &nbsp;&middot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The Ottawa Hospital Foundation: wwwohfoundation.ca/index_e.asp. Please specify The Rehabilitation Centre, Respiratory Services, CANVent. <br /> <br /> <br /> <strong> Condolence messages may be left on the Guestbook tab.&nbsp; </strong> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> </div>