Monday, April 16 was an exciting day for Chance Toder. The Elkhorn resident was recognized in the Manitoba Legislature by the MLA for Arthur-Virden Doyle Piwniuk.
“It was a great experience,” said Toder in an interview. He also mentioned several things that impressed him, including the opportunity to sit in the Speaker’s Gallery; and his visit to Speaker of the House Myrna Driedger’s office, accompanied by Deputy Speaker Doyle Piwniuk.
“The building was really beautiful, made out of stone I think,” said Toder.
For MLAs, the opportunity to feature a constituent before the House is not an everyday occurrence.
In his two-minute speech Piwniuk said, “Madam Speaker, I rise here today to pay tribute to a citizen of Arthur-Virden who has taken a chance on himself, Elkhorn Manitoba resident Mr. Chance Toder. Chance has not had an easy journey per se but rather an eventful one.
“Having undergone many medical interventions has only gone on to prove more determination in this fine young man.
“Being wheel-chair bound and having only partial sight, has not changed his outlook on life, or his goals to grow up and have a job.”
Piwniuk included Mark and Jill Humphries of Elkhorn, who gave Toder the opportunity to enter the work world at their Westwood Ranch Garden Centre; and Toder’s recent “Just Watch Me” Community Futures Award for a business owner living with a disability.
As Toder, with family and friends sat in the gallery above, he heard Piwniuk briefly outline his journey to operating his own lawn care business. This involved finding the right lawn mower to adapt the controls, as well as Toder’s courage to drive the machine, along with help from his caregiver Fred McLean.
The experience at the Legislature impressed the young Elkhorn man.
“They were talking about my business. And, that I was a great inspiration.”
Piwniuk concluded saying, “Madam Speaker, please help me in congratulating Chance Toder and his pit crew staff for their persistence, hard work, and dedication, helping to put the pieces of the puzzle together to make this young man’s dream come true. Chance you really are an inspiration to us all.”
Toder’s mother, Jolene posted on her Facebook page, “Many thanks to Doyle for the wonderful day. It was one that we will always appreciate and never forget!”
