Sutherland the honorary chair for Intellectual Disability Week
March 17, 2005 - Canadian Football League (CFL)
Ottawa Renegades News Release
OTTAWA â Mike Sutherland, an offensive lineman on the Ottawa Renegades, has been spending his off-season as the morning man on a French radio station as a broadcaster. This week, the native of Ottawa, has also been acting as the honourary chair for Intellectual Disability Week.
Sutherland, a 10-year CFL veteran who has been in the second-most playoff games among any Renegade player, has been the spokesman for L'Association pour l'intégration communautaire de l'Outaouais (A.P.I.C.O.) during the week, as well as being a presence at many of the events that help promote awareness and exposure for the organization.
"It is a week of information, and to get the word out about this important cause," said Sutherland, 33, who previously played with Saskatchewan, Montreal and Winnipeg before finding a spot with his hometown team. "Every person has potential and the A.P.I.C.O. helps people maximize that potential. It is important to give people an equal opportunity and to give everyone access. It's been a lot of fun and I have learned a lot about the needs and importance of this cause."
About 3% of the population is afflicted with some form of an intellectual disability. The Outaouais association alone helps more than 350 people in the region, providing services for families and people with intellectual disabilities.
"It is great to have someone like Mike to be our honourary chair," said Stephane Viau, executive director of L'Association pour l'intégration communautaire de l'Outaouais (A.P.I.C.O.). "People look up to him with his experience in sports and he has such a prominent presence in the community. He knows so much about the Outaouais and Quebec region, and he is a good ambassador for us."
Luncheons and sporting events were among the activities Sutherland has been involved with this week as honourary chair. Tonight, he will be at a celebration where he will be honouring people who have had successful integration in work or school.
Canadian Football League Stories from March 17, 2005
- Bombers and students team up for CancerCare MB - Winnipeg Blue Bombers
- Sutherland the honorary chair for Intellectual Disability Week - Ottawa Renegades
- Third annual Winnipeg rifle roast Thursday, April 7 - Winnipeg Blue Bombers
- Bombers sign linebacker duo - Winnipeg Blue Bombers
- Rider season tickets surpass 10,000 - Saskatchewan Roughriders
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