West Ottawa’s first accessible swing

FITZROY HARBOUR – Over the summer City of Ottawa staff revitalized the swing set in Baird Park.

Work included an accessible path connecting Pigott Street to the swing set which includes west Ottawa’s first accessible swing.

The work is done and one Constance Bay resident who attends St. Michael’s Fitzroy Harbour Catholic School couldn’t be happier.

“If Liam is coming by the park, there’s no way he’s not using the swing,” St. Michael’s Fitzroy Harbour Principal Chantel Couture-Campbell told West Carleton Online Wednesday (Nov. 11). “He really enjoys it.”

Liam McKnight, 12, is afflicted with Dravet Syndrome. He is a celebrity in his community in part due to the incredible fundraising his parents Mandy and Dave do every year raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for research. Each year, Liam paints a special painting to be auctioned off as part of the fundraising.

He is just one of the reasons the special swing was installed at Baird Park.

“This swing is the first of its kind in West Ottawa,” Coun. Eli El-Chantiry said.

Because of Dravet Syndrome, Liam’s mobility is limited. He also suffers from seizures. His parents have had some success with some treatments such as cannabis oil and they say new research is producing better treatment.

Dave told West Carleton Online about a family receiving a new experimental medication over last summer.

“We’re hopeful for that right now,” Dave said last September. “It’s promising.”

But this swing, is just for fun.

“Every nice day he’s out here,” Couture-Campbell said.