Comments on: Sam needs our help

By: Mom Time

Mom Time — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 00:10:49 +0000

Just signed the online petition. Let me know how else I can help. Thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to help Sam.

By: Patty

Patty — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 01:20:38 +0000

I’m happy to hear that he gets to keep the pony. I agree Emily should be considered a guide animal such as a seeing eye dog. There is no legitimate reason that a child such as Sam should be denied his therapeutic rights. Merry Christmas!

By: Sam keeps his pony, Emily! | thisgirlwearsglasses

Sam keeps his pony, Emily! | thisgirlwearsglasses — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 02:17:28 +0000

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By: Denis

Denis — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 01:23:17 +0000

I’m so glad that the council allowed Sam to keep his pony. Yay!

By: Binky

Binky — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 23:14:01 +0000

I just watched the news and you get to keep the pony….power to the people…
I also noticed the people who filed the complaint did NOT even show up for
the hearing…??? You got to be joking….I can smell that stink from here…
Any ways good for you and your son..Merry Christmass indeed!!!!

By: Christopher Hancock

Christopher Hancock — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 09:41:57 +0000

I think you helping is more then words I have to say

You Rock and Glad there People Like you still in the world

If you ever need anything please let me know

Your Friend
Christopher Hancock

By: Leah

Leah — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 19:10:58 +0000

As a mother of two young boys with special needs, I commend Antonia Spiteri for finding a therapy that works so well for her son, Sam. The challenges he faces are many, but his life’s potential is vast, and taking away his companion pony would be gravely detrimental. I implore the authorities to zone her property in such a way as to allow Sam to keep Emily with him, and I sincerely hope her neighbours find it in their hearts to help create better accommodations for Emily, rather than tearing down this child’s happiness.

By: Beth

Beth — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 21:58:31 +0000

It is essential that Sam and Emily remain together. There is very good data supporting the benefits of therapeutic riding for kids with cerebral palsy. I have seen an incredible improvement in my son with CP since he started riding as well. I sincerely hope that the beurocratic problems can be overcome in order to permit this loving and helpful bond to remain intact.

By: Carlos

Carlos — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 21:47:51 +0000

My son, 4, also has spastic quadriplegia CP and recently started therapeutic riding. Although we have only had a handful of sessions, the benefits are already showing. Not only is his posture improving, but more importantly he has an activity that is unique to him at a time when he is starting to express his sadness at not being able to play soccer like his friends. I can easily imagine the powerful bond that Sam must now have with Emily. I’ll have to look for the Facebook group to help spread the word.

Live long and prosper.

By: Jackie

Jackie — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 06:09:48 +0000

There should be a law that takes exception to the zoning rule in this case or any other like it. No kind of zoning law would apply that could make a blind man get rid of his seeing-eye dog. Since this horse is therapeutic and necessary to this child’s health and well-being, this zoning law should definitely be overruled. I plead this child’s case and ask that the acting officials allow Sam to keep his horse.

By: Julie@Cool Mom Guide

Julie@Cool Mom Guide — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 17:55:07 +0000

Wow, it takes a real ruthless bastard to be that heartless in destroying a small child’s life. I hope you emailed this link to all of your local news stations. Good luck withe everything and I’d def like to stay posted on the situation. Headed to the petition now.

By: Rhonda

Rhonda — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 17:11:16 +0000

I really like the idea about labelling it as a “guide animal”, although it doesn’t sound like that will help in this case. You’ve got my support, Antonia, and come payday (Friday) you’ll have dough via Paypal if that helps. Us mothers with special kids need to stick together. My autistic son’s 21 now and I learned LONG ago he’d need me to stand up for him against the red tape jungle. Keep the faith, hon, you have an incredible amount of support out here.

By: Chris

Chris — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 13:48:04 +0000

I actually was in Caledon a few weeks ago for the first time. It’s an interesting mix of rural pristine wilderness and encroaching big box stores, ugly cookie cutter houses, etc. as the spawl comes up north from Mississauga.

The people in the town should be doing everything they can to preserve the rural nature of their town – not kill it with zoning laws.

So from what I can see, there should be ample room to allow this to happen if only bureacrats weren’t standing in the way.

By: Angela

Angela — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 13:37:54 +0000

Someone needs to lap that neighbor. How can you be cold and harsh to Sam?
He and Emily have a strong – important – bond, and you want to go tear that apart?
You need to rethink your self.
Emily should stay with Same. Both are beautiful and deserve each other’s love.

By: Steve

Steve — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 04:52:22 +0000

Emily should stay with Sam of course. Unfortunately the house is zoned as a residential space and does not allow for farm animals to be kept on the property. The city or community needs not only to listen to the motion for a variance, they need to be willing to seek out any other solution that might be available. I would also hope that the Council will be guided by their conscience rather than the local bylaws before making any final decision about the future of Sam and Emily. I am sure as a council member looking at all the bylaws and rules, protecting peoples rights, keeping everything fair and square seems all very complex. Really however its pretty simple, the right thing to do is Sam and Emily stay together, the rest is just paper work.

By: ThisGirlWearsGlasses

ThisGirlWearsGlasses — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 03:06:46 +0000

A PayPal account has been setup under the following for generous contributions to assist the family.
antoniaspiteri82@hotmail.com

By: Dave

Dave — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 03:03:21 +0000

Paypal link found and noted.

By: Dave

Dave — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 02:15:37 +0000

Okay, I’m completely disgusted. Antonia, your neighbors are complete jerks… get yourself into that courtroom and let ‘em have it with both barrels. Just tell me where to send the money order. Seriously, email me.

Best regards, and greetings from Texas.

By: Nava

Nava — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 00:39:42 +0000

What ever you need if I have it it is yours. They are ass clowns for for doing this to a 3 year old.

By: Bob

Bob — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 00:15:01 +0000

I am from America, and so I am not familiar with Canadian law. But a thought occurs that might provide a fruitful resolution if the provisions of our two countries are similar regarding the disabled. If the pony were classified as having the same status as a service animal ( for instance, a seeing eye dog which helps the blind ) his status might be protected as a service animal ( rather than his simply being simply as classified as livestock ). Perhaps the law would then land on the side of the child being able to keep his friend.