Let Abilities Work Partnership Society

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.
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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
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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. 

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