Thorold wheelchair athletes and coaches Jim and Loretta Davis were among the crowd of people celebrating a Business After 5 holiday event at Gluckstein Lawyers in Thorold Thursday night.
“Gluckstein is a big supporter of the Penguins,” Jim told the Thorold News, “and we are so appreciative. They help support the 50 Penguins and give them the opportunity to excel at sports, and interact with their peers.”
“It helps kids gain self-confidence,” Loretta added. “Kids get more involved in the community they love and gain self-esteem.”
Fourteen years ago, Karen Natho founded the Brock Niagara Penguins, a group which offers parasports for youth and adults, including wheelchair basketball, hand cycling, wheelchair racing, boccia, swimming, sitting volleyball, and summer camp, among others. Programs are hosted through the city of St. Catharines, at Brock University, and at Heartland Forest in Niagara Falls.
According to Natho, a board member of the Canada 2021 Summer Games committee, “Most of our athletes have physical disabilities. Some have cognitive disabilities. We’ve had a relationship with Gluckstein (Lawyers) for three years,” she told the Thorold News. “They help people with court and legal battles, but after that, they help empower people with disabilities. They know how important it is to engage people in recreation and sport. Sometimes,” she added, “we use their office for meetings.”
Located at 3350 Merrittville Hwy., Gluckstein Lawyers specializes in advocating for clients who have accidents or injuries, through to rehabilitation and recovery. The firm is led by Bernie Gluckstein, a champion for the disabled and recipient of humanitarian awards.
After receiving her training at Mack School of nursing, Dianne Henderson later became Gluckstein’s medical in-house consultant, and joined the Niagara Board of Trade and Commerce (NBOTAC) as a director.
Calling Gluckstein “a law firm that cares,” Ontario Brain Injury Association representatives in attendance at Thursday’s NBOTAC event said, “You enable us to do what we do.”
For more information, visit www.gluckstein.com and www.niagarapenguins.org
