Lymphovenous Canada: Ability Online

Ability Online: www.ablelink.org/index.htm

On Thursday, May 2, 1996, Ability Online received its millionth caller - today it has served over two million people. What started out as an email exchange between a young teenager with Lupus at the Hospital for Sick Children and a group of students at a local Toronto high school, over a single phoneline and modem, has developed and expanded to serve children across Canada and around the world

The 1990 brainchild of Dr. Arlette Lefebvre (known as "Dr. Froggy" to the kids on Ability Online) and co-founder Brian Hillis, Ability OnLine is an electronic mail system that connects young people with disabilities or chronic illness to disabled and non-disabled peers and mentors. This easy-to-use network gives "wings" to thousands of children and adolescents by removing the social barriers that can come with having a disability and illness, and by providing opportunities to form friendships, build self-confidence, exchange information, and share hope and encouragement through email messages.

Ability OnLine is also a valuable resource for families and friends anxious to know more about an illness and help manage it. The network provides disabled youngsters and their families with up-to-date information on medical treatments, educational strategies and employment opportunities through peer support. Access to the network is available through the use of a computer, modem and the telephone system, either by dialing directly into the system or by telnet via the Internet.

Ability OnLine is funded by private donations from various charitable foundations, corporate sponsors, and private individuals like you. You can request more information by e-mail or by contacting the Ability OnLine office to have information mailed out to you.