Let Abilities Work Partnership Society

Family and friends of Cheryl Campbell gathered to celebrate her life and mark her passing on Saturday, August 7th at "The Pines", Cheryl's beloved family home on the Pictou Landing Lower Road. (...continued)

At the rear of Cheryl’s property, there is a significant stand of very old and very, very, very tall pine trees which Cheryl loved. As we arrived, Rose Little and Kathy Grant, two Aboriginal ladies from the Pictou Landing First Nations community were busy smudging to purify all the land area and chairs that were set at the base of this pine stand. Rose at the Landing holds the very prestigious title "Keeper of the Drum" and Kathy is employed with New Leaf Enterprises.
At 1:30 PM those attending were called to that purified area by event organizer, Judy Hughes, and all were smudged as we entered via a path leading through a trellised archway. Judy, began speaking and recalling happy memories of events from her long time friendship with Cheryl and her family. Nelson Walker, her husband and partner spoke next followed by one of her sons who was chosen to “speak on behalf of” Cheryl's three children. Others present were then invited to say a few words and a significant number did.

At that point, Nova Annette Poirier, who has studied shamanism as a way of life, took us through a spiritual service which I will paraphrase here.

Nova referred to Cheryl as a spirit who came from somewhere in the cosmos to enter a body that was constructed for her use out of products of the earth according to a genetic pattern received from her parents. For 57 years, Cheryl lived and walked among us fulfilling her mission or earthly purpose. And, when she had completed her mission, Cheryl returned to the cosmos from whence she had come. And, her body will return to the earth from which it came.

Nova spread out a small cloth on the ground and proceeded to light a candle which she placed in the middle of the cloth. Those present were invited to take a walk through the trees and around the grounds and to pick up some piece of the natural surroundings (a pebble, a twig, a leaf, etc.) to hold in their hands.  While holding that item,  they were asked to think about it and try to relate it in some way to some memory or quality of Cheryl or to some aspect of her life.  The items were then to be placed around the candle as a memorial.

One lady quickly handed me a pine cone, perhaps feeling that from a wheelchair, I'd have difficulty picking up an item. I picked up a large stone which I related to Cheryl's great strength of spirit and of purpose.  I would have discarded the pine cone but having just listened at the base of those huge pine trees to all the many areas where Cheryl had made a significant contribution, that little pine cone was speaking to me of the great potential that was Cheryl.  I placed them both in the memorial.

When everyone had added their pieces and the memorial was complete, Cheryl's ashes were taken by her three children, Jonathan, Terry and Briona who walked together among the trees in the pine stand as they each took turns spreading her ashes while they walked.  While the ashes were spread, Nova invited any who so desired to join her in a chant song and accompanying herself with an aboriginal drum she sang the words to The River is Flowing by Diana Hildebrand-Hull.

Click to hear chant

The River is Flowing
by Diana Hildebrand-Hull

The river she is flowing, going and growing
The river is flowing, down to the sea
Mother Earth carry me, your child I will always be
Mother Earth carry me, down to the sea

Following this very moving service, everyone gathered to share together in food and conversation.  Several tables were covered with a magnificent spread of sandwiches, sweets and goodies in plenteous supply.  Some had said that Cheryl would not have wanted a lot of fuss at her passing but I felt certain that this part of the gathering would have had her 100% approval.
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Jessica is a 5 year old girl and a major flight risk. She was diagnosed with Autism 2 years ago and is starting school in a few weeks.

Her mother, Allison Kearley, is Vice President of the Pictou County Children With Autism Association and she wants to spread the word about and demonstrate a new product, the eye-zon EZ 100 that she and her husband Trevor have found.

It's a personal tracking system which permits families to easily locate those children or seniors who may tend to wonder off and get lost.

"I have tried it out for the last few days and with the help of a great neighbour, Edward LeBlanc, I think I can use it", says Kearley who is planning an information session at 7pm on August 18th at the Stellarton Fire Hall.  The Eye-Zon company is going to help to run this presentation via computer.  People will be able to see the product there, ask questions, and if interested obtain info on ordering or on making plans to purchase.

Kearsley hopes that anyone interested will attend the session or contact her as she hope to generate sufficient interest to take advantage of a substantial group buying option or a price reduction that is available on large group orders. (...continued)~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Here is the full email I received from Allison
Subject: Personal tracking system

Hello to All,

I am writing to each of you to tell you where we are with the eye-zon EZ 100 personal tracking system. I have tried it out for the last few days and with the help of a great neighbour, Edward LeBlanc, I think I can use it. So here’s the deal as some might not be aware of my situation-I will start at the beginning and try hard to make it brief.

I have a 5 year old daughter who is starting school in a few short weeks. She was diagnosed with Autism 2 years ago. Trevor and I have been researching products to help us to locate Jessica if we happened to lose her. Since she is a major flight risk you would be or maybe not be surprised to learn how quickly it can happen. After much conversation and checking different products I happened to find eye-zon. Please put that in a google search and it will come up. There is a price list included, which I ask you not to get hung up on. If we order in bulk we will get a better price. Also for low income families the company is starting what is called 1000 friends. This will allow everyone to have a chance to use this product. Donations are given from large companies to pay for initial cost and monthly charge for a year.

At this point Halifax is looking at this product and seem to be happy with its ability. They are working on a program for seniors. In Edmonton, the project was launched to help Autistic children. Whatever the situation...we all know a loved one or someone we work with who tends to wander and may not be able to get back to the spot they need to be at. This tracks where the person is and how fast they are travelling. You can watch the person or check to see where they are, using a computer or smartphone/iphone. I don’t have a smart phone, but you can still use it on the computer. I can elaborate on that later.

I am looking at having a gathering at the Stellarton Fire Hall where people can see the product and make plans to purchase it. And of course ask the questions necessary. If you are interested in more info or ordering one please let me know. We will be having an information session at 7pm on August 18th. If you can't make it please let me know if you are interested. Also, forward this to anyone you think that might be interested in getting more info about this product. I unfortunately don't have everyone's e-mail that I think would be interested. I'm also hoping to get some publicity in the paper so watch for it.

PLEASE FORWARD THIS MESSAGE TO ANYONE YOU THINK WOULD BE INTERESTED. I DON'T MIND TAKING PHONE CALLS IF ANYONE HAS ANY QUESTIONS. BY THE 20TH I WILL BE PLACING AN ORDER!

Allison Kearley
allison_lynch@hotmail.com
695-2148
Vice President of the Pictou County Children With Autism Association

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