The new Smilezone area of the Janeway is now open.
Ron Johnson, Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer with NL Health Services, says the renovations to the physiotherapy area on the first floor include a full-scale cosmetic makeover of the area including the physiotherapy gymnasium, four consult rooms and the hallways leading to those rooms.
New furniture and cabinetry, along with several large murals depicting children with a range of physical abilities, have transferred the area into a bright, joyous space for patients, family and staff, says Johnson.
A Smilezone is a physically, mentally and emotionally safe treatment space where patients of any age, ability and diagnosis can relax and feel supported, says the Janeway.
The area was constructed by the Smilezone Foundation, with a special donation from Rhonda Pardy and her family.
She’s a business woman in Manitoba who made the donation in memory of her late husband Craig, who was from this province.
Rhonda Pardy speaks at the ribbon cutting for the Smilezone.
Pardy says when they moved to Manitoba to venture into the business world they prayed for success, and made a commitment to give back to the community if that happened.
It did, and she says they have spent their lives giving back. She believes the Smilezone is a way of following up on that commitment, and became emotional when saying that her husband’s legacy lives on through the project.
