Leo Rutledge

For CDC president Leo Rutledge, who sees the puck drops as an opportunity to raise awareness of the centre's outstanding work, it is also personal.His six-year-old daughter Kassidy will be the first CDC student to open a game.Kassidy is a Grade 1 student at Bouchie Lake elementary school.She was born with Down syndrome, an anomoly of the chromosomes characterized by distinguishable facial features, cognitive deficits and a range of major congenital malformations.Her father says the CDC has helped her immensely."She's done every program they offer there," he said."And she has benefitted incredibly.The biggest two things have been speech pathology and physiotherapy.Her speech has opened right up and allowed her to progress as any normal Grade 1 student could."But Leo was quick to add that the CDC is not just for children with Down syndrome, it's about helping all kids with dissabilities fit into society."We're trying to eliminate the problems and challenges they may have being contributing members of society," he said.