Okanagan doctor honoured with Lifetime Achievement Award

KELOWNA–A special honour has been given to Kelowna’s very first pediatrician.

Dr. Cliff Henderson been given a Lifetime Achievement Award by the BC Association for Child Development.

Henderson helped found a centre for children with special needs in 1966.

Today, the octogenarian remains on the board of the Starbright Children’s Development Centre.

“In the 1960’s, to think that a small group of parents and their pediatrician would work towards this is pretty amazing,” says Rhonda Nelson, Executive Director of Starbright.

Starbright is a non-profit organization that serves children with physical and learning delays, as well as speech development issues.  There are programs for autism, infant development, physical and occupational therapy.

When it began nearly 50 years ago, it was launched by Henderson and a group of parents of children with cerebral palsy.

It soon grew to meet the demands of other special needs children in the community.

Henderson says he never imagined that what was then the Okanagan Neruological Association would expand into what it has become today.

“No, that certainly was not going through our minds,” he said.

“It seemed to continue because there was always a continuing need for children with special needs, and we were always trying to meet those needs.“

Starbright continues to serve a growing clientele with increased services.

It’s currently fundraising for a new building that will include more therapy rooms and offices for staff. The hope is to cut down wait times for families needing help.

To learn how you can donate, click here.