Lawton Osler recalls reviewing the barely-legible cover letter followed by an impressive, typed essay.
The solid piece of writing earned the author a $1,000 scholarship towards his post-secondary education.
When the writer gathered with others who have epilepsy to accept the award, he was bald and had a scar on his head. Recovering from recent brain surgery, the young man had penned the cover letter with his left, non-dominant hand.
Osler has met many remarkable people since he began supporting students with epilepsy by funding the OBCL Scholarship Awards. Every year, up to 10 students across Ontario can win a $1,000 scholarship for their post-secondary education.
Epilepsy Ontario and Osler invite people between the ages of 16-29 to write an essay about living with epilepsy. The deadline for the 2013 OBCL Epilepsy Scholarships is May 1 at 5 p.m.
Osler, principal of Osler Business Consultants Ltd., has been supporting the scholarship since 2006.
He has a seizure disorder that is controlled by medication.
“It was a really opportunity to give back and that’s what I did,” Osler says about his motivation for lending his support.
His favourite aspect of being involved is seeing the recipients gather each year with their girlfriends, boyfriends, parents and in some cases, grandparents, for the awards ceremony.
“It’s absolutely amazing. They’re terrific, strong people.
“To see the enthusiasm of the candidate is definitely the best thing.”
Between 20-40 people apply annually for the scholarships. Osler encompasses excerpts from the essays in his speeches at the ceremony. Last year, a student wrote the following: “In everyone’s life there is something that plays a great role in developing their character, qualities, goals and future destination. For me it has been epilepsy.”
As part of their application package, students must submit a personal essay under a particular theme. Authors are invited to determine their own concept this year.
Click here to learn more about the 2013 OBCL Epilepsy Scholarships and to access the application form.
The awards ceremony is June 7 at KPMG, 4100 Yonge St., Toronto.
Writer: Natalie Hamilton
* If you wish to reprint this story, please include following notice: “This story originally appeared on the Epilepsy Ontario website.”
