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‘Inspiring parent’ Eric Cugurs interviewed by CTV

Former IITS employee acts as spokesperson for Trisomy Awareness Month
March 11, 2015
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By Shelagh Peden


Eric Cugurs Eric Cugurs

Until he took the Voluntary Departure Program (VDP), Eric Cugurs was evening supervisor for Instructional and Information Technology Services in the Henry F. Hall Building.

Now, he’s focused on raising awareness of Trisomy, chromosomal disorders characterised by an additional chromosome, of which Down syndrome is the most common.

Cugurs' daughter Amanda has Edwards syndrome, caused by an extra 18th chromosome. It is the second most common chromosome disorder.

As part of Trisomy Awareness Month, Cugurs and his wife Esmirna Lopez were interviewed by CTV on March 5. The couple told the news network they hope to raise awareness about the disorder, and to spread the word that the often-terminal condition can be overcome, against doctors’ expectations.

Amanda has progressed further than any doctor expected, and her parents are very proud. "She is the strongest person I have ever known ... with BSD, pulmonary hypertension, scoliosis, a collapsed lung, we didn’t know that she was going to be able to fight it back," explains Lopez. "Because she is a very happy girl. ... She smiles, she laughs, she makes us laugh.”

Read the full article and watch the videos.

Now Amanda is getting too big to carry, so her proud parents are crowdfunding an adapted vehicle. To make a contribution, visit the campaign web page. Let's show Concordia cares!



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