Drumming alumnus helps special needs kids

By Joe Belanger

Yes, sometimes dreams do come true.

Just ask any of the dozens of special needs students — some who can’t even speak — who’ve learned to play music, enabled by Londoner Karl Sloman, BA'85 (History).

Or, you could just ask Karl.

The 50-year-old drummer is no stranger to Londoners, having twice set the world record for continuous drumming while raising funds for the London Food Bank and Thames Valley Children’s Centre.

What many people don’t know is that Karl has spent the last eight years researching, innovating and doing whatever he could to help special needs people have the opportunity to play music.

Saturday, Oct. 12, Sloman’s work will be televised across the country on Global Television’s documentary series Walk the Walk, which pairs local “everyday” heroes with celebrities on Canada’s Walk of Fame. The show is on at 10 p.m.