Let Abilities Work Partnership Society

Click below to read Debbi Harvie's full article in the Pictou Advocate. (...continued.)
Pictou Advocate Article
The End - Return to main page

Read more! (if article is continued)

The Nova Scotia League for Equal Opportunities NSLEO met November 18-20 at the Futures Inn in Halifax.  The full board of directors, executive and staff came together from across Nova Scotia to review progress to date on the many disability related issues and to plan its operational program going forward into 2012.


Read more! (if article is continued)

As a nine year old child with a disability, in 1986, Janice Hatt was inspired by and got to meet Rick Hanson in his original "Man In Motion Tour". and to present him with funds raised by her home town, Trenton, Nova Scotia.  Her disability, paraplegia, was due to childhood spinal nerve damage of unkown cause. 

The photo of Janice and Rick, which hung on her bedroom wall as a continuous reminder of motivation since she first shook Rick's hand, went with her in 2005 when Janice's husband's new career sent her family across Canada to Port Alberni, BC (ironically where Rick was born). The same photo hung on her wall on the west coast until the picture was lost during the move back to Nova Scotia in 2006. For Janice, Rick Hansen is her hero and a real difference maker in her life. (...continued)

"Meeting Rick was an amazing experience that changed my life, he is a true inspiration and living proof that nothing should ever get in the way of your dreams and there are no obstacles too big to overcome" Janice said. "I live my life by that same motto every day."

Janice is an advocate for accessibility and equality for those who face challenges such as herself. She gives input on many accessibility issues in her community, including writing letters to newspapers, as well as to local business and employers to address these concerns. Janice has volunteered at the local hospital and used her creative talents at a local school to help students explore creativity through various art projects. As an artist in painting and hand-crafted jewellery, Janice has donated much of her work to raise funds for various causes. Janice has also used her online marketing skills to create awareness of the Rick Hansen Relay for the Town of New Glasgow which neighbours her hometown of Trenton, NS

This September, 25 years later Janice was honoured to take part in the Rick Hansen Relay, only this time her husband and three children were standing with her. The town of Trenton found the archived photo of Janice and Rick, and her inspirational image was returned.
The End - Return to main page

Read more! (if article is continued)

A half-day facilitator training session on Strengthening Families Together (SFT) will be held at the NSCC Pictou Campus in Stellarton.

The facilitator training session is for anyone interested in SFT and will be conducted at the College in room C153 on Saturday, November 12th, 12:00 noon to 4:00 pm, by the Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia - Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) Chapter. (...continued)

Strengthening Families Together (SFT) is a ten week family support and education program designed for, and delivered by family members, caregivers, and other supporters of persons living with schizophrenia, psychosis or another mental illness.

The program is based on the belief that families have the right to reliable educational material about their loved one’s illness.

For more information, or to register for this session, please contact Hilary Thorne by phoning toll-free 1-800-465-2601, or emailing hilary.thorne@bellaliant.com
The End - Return to main page

Read more! (if article is continued)

In partnership with the National Educational Association of Disabled Students (NEADS), Independent Living Canada is celebrating the contributions of persons with disabilities and in particular youth with disabilities!  2011 will be Independent Living Canada’s 10th Annual United Nation’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities which they will celebrate with the theme: Youth with Disabilities in Development – Supporting Tomorrow’s Leaders Today!

A Kick-off Event and Reception is planed in Ottawa for Thursday, November 24, 2011 at the Albert at Bay Suites Hotel.  The initiative will be an occasion to take time to look at the issue, recognize the importance of including youth with disabilities in development, learn about the latest issues concerning youth with disabilities and learn about some Independent Living leadership models that are working!

Youth with disabilities desire a sense of identity and belonging - a desire to be part of a community that respects and appreciates every individual, regardless of their differences. Yet for youth with disabilities, societal prejudice and environmental barriers largely prevent them from being accepted. The greatest impediments continue to be discrimination, prejudice, and social isolation. 

Read more! (if article is continued)

The fourth annual Janine Williams Memorial Bursary will be awarded in November 2011.

In partnership with Cole Harbour / Eastern HRM Community Mental Health, the Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia awards the Janine Williams Memorial Bursary, valued at $500.00, to an individual living with a mental illness who is embarking on or pursuing some form of learning through formal education or life skills development.

Eligibility

Applicants for the Janine Williams Memorial Bursary must:

1. live in the communities of the Capital Health district;
2. live with a mental illness; and
3. be embarking on or pursuing some form of learning through formal education or life skills development.

Application Deadline: The deadline for receipt of applications is midnight, October 15th, 2011. (...Continued)

Click on Janine Williams Memorial Bursary to obtain further information.
The End - Return to main page

Read more! (if article is continued)

“It is with a heavy heart that I have to tell you that a good friend of mine and ours passed away last night at the Yarmouth hospital. David I loved you like a brother and you blessed me with your will to help others.” - Claredon Robichaud

Claredon's words here speak for the entire disabled community. Our heart felt condolences are extended to his loving wife Kathleen and to other members of the Mooney family.

David was a tireless worker, well known for his courage, persistence, and advocacy and as a voice and force for positive change in our midst. His contributions to the disability community, in areas like community based transportation will survive him and be remembered as will his wonderful sense of humour.

The funeral will take place in Yarmouth on Friday.

David will be greatly missed by us all.(...Continued)

Here is the full obituary as found on the Huskilson funeral home web site:


MOONEY, David Samuel Treen – 51, Deerfield. It is with great sadness that the family of David Samuel Treen Mooney, age 51 announces his passing on July 19th, 2011. David was the son of Aurel Mooney and the late W.F. (Bill) Mooney.

He is survived by his wife Kathleen d’Entremont-Mooney, brother Bill (Theresa), Goose Bay, NL, sisters Lynda Willey (Norman), Crofton, BC, Karen White (Emery), Yarmouth, Patti d’Entremont (Weldon), Canaan, Beth Wood (Laurie), Raynadton, Leslie Dixon (Trevor), Erieau ON, and brother-in-law Michael d’Entremont (Doreen), Raynardton, and several nieces and nephews.

David’s work experience was extensive and ranged from surveying in Alberta, to lobster fishing in Nova Scotia. David later went into business for himself when he and his brother Bill owned and operated several restaurans. He then worked in the retail pharmacy business, managing the family owned “Shoppers Drug Mart” in Yarmouth and he later worked as “process manager” for Acadian Seaplants in Charlesville, an innovative business which specializes in cultivating seaweed for the Japanese market.

David has survived many personal challenges and has remained positive and upbeat despite circumstances that could have been seen by most people as very discouraging. David had to withdraw from university at the age of 22 when he was diagnosed with cancer. He fought and won that battle but in 2001, David’s life changed suddenly when he became critically ill with a severe blood infection.

After spending eight months in the QEII hospital and enduring countless surgeries and months of rehab, he returned home and had to learn how to adapt in a world that was not necessarily “accessible”. David lost his two hands and two feet as a result of this illness but his life was spared. His wife Kathleen, “became” his hands.

He will forever be thankful to the nurses and doctors at the Yarmouth Regional and QEII hospitals who persevered on a motto of blind faith, administering life support when hope was questionable. Fitted with four prostheses David had to learn how to do everything differently. Ever resourceful, David’s motto became “it’s not what you’ve lost, it’s what you have left”. An eternal optimist, David set out into the world looking at life from a new perspective and with a new appreciation for the challenges faced by people with disabilities.

David had been active in fundraising for charitable organizations all his life, and was usually the one leading the parade.

Two things that David had not lost was his humour and voice and he decided to use his “gift to gab” to help the disabled community. Since 2003, David was very active and served on 9 community and provincial boards, representing the interests of the disabled and the disadvantaged. His participation with the NS League for Equal Opportunities gave him the opportunity to meet with the Provincial Caucuses regularly to request changes in policy from government leaders.

In 2004, David was awarded the International Peace Medal from the YMCA. The Peace Medal is awarded to people or groups that have no special resources, wealth, status or position. As per the Yarmouth YMCA CEO, Barrie MacGregor, “David has shown enormous courage, strength of character and a commitment to his community”.

In 2008 David was honored with the Mel Hebb Awards’ “Encore Award” given to a person who has contributed significantly to their community. In response to this award, Sandra Wood, past Executive Director of the Community INClusion Society in Kings and eastern Annapolis counties quoted the following: "He’s so dynamic and embodies everything the disabled community stands for — integrity and determination. He’s amazing, constantly giving of himself. Mooney is a person of great influence. His enthusiasm is contagious. Every person he meets is touched by his optimism and his courage.... as much energy as he has spent in serving his numerous community groups over the past 6 years. He excels at everything he does and he cares deeply about the issues of concern to the people in his community.”

David’s newest battle was fighting cancer for a second time. For the past year, he was receiving treatment for a new cancer, T-cell lymphoma, which ultimately took his life on July 19th, 2011.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 21 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at Huskilson’s Funeral Home, 29 Albert Street, Yarmouth.

The funeral will be held at 4 p.m. on Friday, July 22, 2011 at Saint Ambrose Cathedral, Albert St., Father Henry Smolenaars officiating. Interment will follow in Our Lady of Calvary Cemetery, Yarmouth. Family flowers only. Donations in memory of David may be made to the Gilles Boudreau and Friends Fund or the VON. You may leave messages of condolence or sign the on-line guestbook by visiting www.huskilson.net
The End - Return to main page

Read more! (if article is continued)

Published by Gaspereau Press, Whispers is a collection of poems written between 2000 and 2009 by Brian Malay (1983-2010).

Compiled and edited after his death, Whispers provides insight into the joy of what it means to be fully alive and seeking answers to everyday mysteries, as well as the pain and sorrow of Brian’s truly exceptional nature.

From his early years until the last days of his life, Brian expressed himself through his writing. He was an imaginative free thinker whose poetry reflects a keen sense of his own world and the world about him. (...Continued)

Although Brian lived with schizophrenia, his diagnosis did not disable him; conversely, he worked harder at his writing and discovered it to be a wonderful expression of his creativity. Ultimately, poetry simply flowed from him, thus making him a true master of the written word.

Brian’s mother, Cindy Crowell, is kindly donating proceeds from the sales of Whispers to the Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia.

To place an order for Whispers, please mail a $20.00 cheque made out to the Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia, along with the address to which the book should be shipped, to:

Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia
Room B23, E.C. Purdy Building
P.O. Box 1004, Station Main
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
B2Y 3Z9

Orders with payment by credit card are also accepted. Please call the Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia at (902) 465-2601 or 1-800-465-2601 (toll-free in Nova Scotia).

Portrait of Brian Malay by Jared Malay. Please click on the image to magnify it.

The End - Return to main page

Read more! (if article is continued)

contributed by Stephen Ayer
The From Recovery to Discovery Peer Support Group is open to anyone affected by mental illness, either directly or indirectly.

The Group met Thursday, June 16th, 2011 from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm in Halifax at The Hub on 2nd Floor, 1673 Barrington Street. Those attending focused on the phases of recovery.

It was FREE! There is no admission charged.

Peer support is critical throughout the course of recovery, but ... the amount and type of support changes as one progresses through the phases of recovery. Discussion will focus on the following four questions:

1. What phase are you in?

2. How do you know what phase you are in?

3. Are you considering moving to the next phase?

4. What can help you to move to the next phase? (...Continued)
Phase 1 - Dependent/Unaware (Hope)

• Peer support is informal and tends to be centered around treatment agency/hospital programs and activities.
• Interaction with peers is often focused on mental illness rather than recovery.
• Clinical and family support is typically more important than peer support at this stage.

Phase 2 - Dependent/Aware (Empowerment)

• Peer support becomes more formal … likely to involve support from peers working in day/psychosocial programs and peer-run programs. Support at this level may also come via peer-to-peer classes.
• Focus begins to shift from mental illness to advocacy and recovery, which starts with a sense of empowerment.
• While clinical support is still critical in this stage, especially early on, peer support becomes more important as individuals approach the self-responsibility phase of their recovery.

Phase 3 - Independent/Aware (Self-Responsibility)

• Peer support takes on an equal, if not more important, role than clinical and/or family support. At this point in recovery, individuals are no longer dependent upon their treatment providers or peers.
• Peer support is far more likely to occur outside the formal treatment environment (e.g., agencies run by people who have experienced mental illness, self-help groups, peer friendships, etc.).
• People in recovery begin to give back … they become volunteer or paid staff; rather than being recipients of support, they begin providing the support.
• Peer support begins to occur in the community rather than the mental health system.

Phase 4 - Interdependent/Aware (Meaningful Role)

• Peer support occurs in the natural environment. Rather than being peers because of shared experiences with mental illness, individuals become peers based on shared interests … they become friends and engage in that friendship outside the mental health system.
• It is at this point that some people in recovery seek support though relationships with others in their community, including their place of employment.
• Individuals at this stage are the givers of support. Providing support becomes a meaningful role!

Adapted from: Reneé Kopache, Thelma Rist, and Lisa Oswald. Peer Support & Recovery: What Helps, What Hinders – When and How? Alternatives Conference Presentation, October 28, 2005.

The From Recovery to Discovery Peer Support Group is organized as a partnership between the Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia and the Healthy Minds Cooperative. For further information contact Stephen Ayer at ssns@ns.sympatico.ca
The End - Return to main page

Read more! (if article is continued)

contributed by E. Anne MacRae

Here is the first World Disability Report. Before you read the report, click here on video of Stephen Hawkings. It is very good and it is captioned!


Click here on REPORT to read it. It is a lengthy document so it may take a minute or so to load.


Editor’s note: Anne MacRae is Executive Director the Nova Scotia Disabled Persons Commission (...continued) which has its office in Dartmouth and receives mail at P.0. Box 222 CRO, Halifax, N.S. B3J 2M4 Telephone: 902-424-5105, Toll free: 1 (800) 565-8280, Fax: 902-424-0592, TTY: 902-424-2667

Readers of this report will find an enormous amount of relevant both text and data and can locate information that is specific to Canada on pages 33, 44, 108 and with regard to assistance and support 139, 143, 152–153, 154, to education 219, 220, to enabling environments 176, 187, 189–190 and to work and employment 238, 240, 244.Here is the beginning of my post.
The End - Return to main page

Read more! (if article is continued)