Let Abilities Work Partnership Society

Wheelchair Stick Curling clinics held in Pictou

2012-01-22T17:31:00.000-08:00

Click below to read Debbi Harvie's full article in the Pictou Advocate. (...continued.)
Pictou Advocate Article
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NSLEO holds fall board meetings at Futures Inn in Halifax

2011-12-30T11:04:00.000-08:00

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.

After 25 years, Janice Hatt is still supporting the Rick Hanson tour.

2011-11-15T12:49:00.000-08:00

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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Strengthening Families Together (SFT) - a 10 week program

2011-11-07T15:37:00.000-08:00

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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Theme 2011: Youth with Disabilities in Development

2011-11-03T18:53:00.000-07:00

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.

Janine Williams Memorial Bursary

2011-08-22T19:30:00.000-07:00

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:

live in the communities of the Capital Health district;
live with a mental illness; and
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.
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David Mooney, a good friend passed away

2011-07-20T10:49:00.000-07:00

“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
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Whispers - A collection of poems by Brian Malay

2011-07-05T07:00:00.000-07:00

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.

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Peer Support Group Focuses on Recovery Phases

2011-06-16T11:12:00.000-07:00

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
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World Disability Report

2011-06-13T13:43:00.000-07:00

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.
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Government Tries to Silence Critic of Student Loan Discrimination

2011-06-07T08:31:00.000-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 6, 2011

Jasmin Simpson is a young deaf-blind woman with lupus. While at university, she experienced unbelievable threats to her education due to elements of the Canada Student Loan Program (CSLP) that discriminate against students with disabilities. Through sheer will power and determination she overcame these challenges and completed her post-secondary education with B.S.W. and M.S.W. degrees. However, because she is disabled she graduated with 60% more student debt than would a non disabled student graduating with comparable credentials.

With help from the federally funded Court Challenges Program (CCP) she brought a Charter challenge asserting the Canada Student Loan Program (CSLP) discriminates against students with disabilities by imposing higher CSLP debt on them. All subject to a confidentiality clause, (...Continued)
the federal government quickly agreed to cancel 100% of her personal student debt and indicated that they would introduce positive changes to the student loan program. They wanted the case ended quickly and quietly.

Ms. Simpson was unwilling to accept a “sweetheart deal” or “buy a pig in a poke”. In the “conditional” agreement she reached with the government, she reserved to herself the right to review the changes and determine if they addressed her concerns about discrimination before deciding whether or not to terminate her case.

Some changes were eventually made to CSLP, but, after careful review, Ms. Simpson felt they didn’t address the discriminatory elements in the CSLP. There were actually some changes which actually made things worse for severely disabled students. After reviewing the new regulations in detail she was hesitant to agree to have her personal debt erased when another disabled student, in precisely her circumstances, wouldn’t receive a scrap of relief as a result of the changes. She was particularly concerned since the government had cancelled the CCP, meaning no one else could take up the cause if she were to bow out.

Before making her decision, and without violating the confidentiality agreement, Ms. Simpson consulted with the leadership of national disability groups, who confirmed her view that the changes did not address the discrimination in the CSLP. This confirmed her perception and she exercised her right under the “conditional” agreement to resume her case, even though it was at great cost to her personally.
…/2

The government expressed disappointment, but accepted Ms. Simpson’s decision. The government offered her more money if she would withdraw her objections and hinted that it was prepared to offer her still more. Unwilling to give in, Ms. Simpson remained resolute and turned down the government’s blandishments.

The litigation had recommenced for almost a full year when the government changed lawyers and changed its position. It now claimed that Ms. Simpson could not continue with her case because it had been finally settled by what it acknowledges was a “conditional” agreement. As a result of having brought this motion to have a Court decide that Ms. Simpson had lost her right to continue with her case, the government has put all the confidential documents and communication onto the public record.

A government motion to stop Ms. Simpson’s case will be argued in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, 393 University Avenue, Toronto, 6th floor on June 9th, commencing at 10:00 am. It is possible the case will be moved to a larger courtroom so call in advance or come early. The hearing is expected to end around 2:30 pm.

Representatives of national disability groups are available for comment now and will be at the courthouse [see contact info below]. Ms. Simpson communicates through an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter. She will be available to speak to the media, with an interpreter, after the hearing.

Laurie Beachell, National Coordinator of the Council of Canadians with Disabilities states, “Ms. Simpson’s case clearly demonstrates there are built-in headwinds for persons with disabilities in the Canada Student Loan Program. If persons with disabilities are to enjoy equal opportunity in post-secondary education this discrimination needs to end”.

Chris Kenopic is President and CEO of the Canadian Hearing Society (CHS) and is himself Deaf. He states, “Unless you are disabled you can have no idea how challenging it is for us to secure the education necessary to achieve independence and dignity in this country. CHS calls on the federal government to stop litigating against Ms. Simpson and address the discrimination in the CSLP.”
-30-

Contacts:

David Baker, Legal Counsel (416) 533-0040 Ext. 222

Laurie Beachell, Council of Canadians with Disabilities (204) 947-0303

Gary Malkowski, Canadian Hearing Society, gmalkowski@chs.ca
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Masonic Lodges support local disability groups - As reported in New Glasgow paper - The News

2011-06-06T08:54:00.000-07:00

New Athletic Field holds Grand Opening

2011-05-28T13:56:00.000-07:00

The Pioneer Coal Athletics Field which took about two years to construct, was declared up and running at its Official Grand Opening held on May 26th. It's a state-of-the-art run, jump, and throw track and field facility featuring an official size 400 meter, eight lane rubberized running track. It also contains a field house with washrooms and storage and there is ample parking space.(...Continued)

Let Abilities Work Partnership society has been provided with a key for our members to the fensed in track area and efforts are being made to ramp the field house to make the facilities fully wheelchair accessible.

About 200 locals including dignataries, politicians, athletes, students, Society members and the general public gathered with emcee Susan Peters and Society Chair Pat Carty at the evening ceremony to congratulate and express appreciation to all who were and continue to be involved in the financing, construction and now its operation. The facility is located off Foster avenue in Stellarton on reclaimed land in the Pioneer Coal field.

It was built from the ground up with a great deal of technical and earthmoving equipment help from John Chisholm of Pioneer Coal, 3.5 million dollars raised by Marsha Sobey from federal and provincial government grants plus donations from various private sources, plus several tons of effort and volunteer hours contributed by members of the Pictou County Recreation and Athletics Society.
Here is the beginning of my post.
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Groups intervene in Family Law Appeal - Termination of Spousal Support of Disabled Mother

2011-04-21T15:41:00.000-07:00

April 19, 2011, Toronto - The Women's Legal Education and Action Fund (LEAF) and the DisAbled Women’s Network Canada (DAWN) are intervening in a family law appeal (L.M.P. v. L.S.) at the Supreme Court of Canada tomorrow, Wednesday, April 20, 2011. (...continued)

“If upheld, the lower court decisions under appeal would signal a backwards shift in family law and a return to the ‘clean break’ model of support of 20 years ago” states LEAF Legal Director, Joanna Birenbaum. The “clean break” model assumes that women are on a level playing field with men when relationships end. It seeks to cut the financial ties between former spouses as soon as possible.

“This assumption of economic equality is not true for most women, particularly those who look after the children and the home, whether full or part-time,” explains Birenbaum. “Family law has evolved to value women’s contributions in the home and to recognize the economic consequences of women’s caregiving roles and labour market inequalities. Yet in this case the lower courts reduced and terminated spousal support payments for the Appellant wife without considering the enormous barriers to remunerative and secure employment for women like the Appellant, who was disabled, had little to no education and work experience, was caring for the couple’s two children, and had been out of the workforce for almost 20 years at the time the order was made.”

The case involves a marriage of 14 years between a Montreal commercial litigator and the Appellant wife who, at the time of marriage, did not have a high school leaving certificate and worked in sales for a cosmetics company. During the marriage, the wife assumed a traditional role in the home. Upon divorce, the couple negotiated a consent judgment pursuant to which the husband undertook to pay spousal support with no date for termination or review, and child support for the two young children. The wife has suffered from multiple sclerosis since the first year of marriage, was diagnosed by her private disability insurer as permanently disabled and unable to work, and has been in receipt of LTD benefits since her diagnosis. The couple’s agreement included no requirement that the wife seek training or employment.

“Four years after divorce, the husband’s income went up and the wife applied to increase child support (not spousal support),” explains Birenbaum. “Instead of simply agreeing to increase child support, the husband argued that the wife’s support should be terminated since she hadn’t made any effort to look for work. This argument was made despite the terms of the contract which did not require the wife to do so and the wife’s diagnosis of permanent disability.”

The husband did not argue that the wife’s medical condition had improved following separation, constituting a “material change” to justify a variation of the couple’s agreement. Instead he argued that the wife had never really been too disabled to work. According to the husband, the passage of time combined with the wife’s failure to find employment relieves him of his contractual undertaking to pay indefinite support. The lower courts accepted the husband’s arguments.

On the basis of contested medical evidence brought by the husband that the wife could work part-time and the trial judge’s assessment of the wife’s appearance on the stand, the lower court reduced and terminated support.

“This case raises important issues for women with disabilities”, states Carmela Hutchison,President of DisAbled Women’s Network Canada. “The wife’s contributions to the home and the husband’s career were discounted due to her disability. Support was terminated on the basis that she ‘may’ be able to work 20-25 hours a week. No consideration was given to the systemic barriers to women with disabilities obtaining employment at all, never mind stable and secure employment that would guarantee the Appellant an adequate standard of living. Finally, the courts failed to appreciate the severe consequences to women like the Appellant of the loss of LTD. Such benefits are often a matter of life or death.”

“Another concern” Hutchison continues, “is that women with invisible disabilities are often disbelieved when they present well.”

LEAF-DAWN are also concerned by the apparent discounting of the couple’s contract in this case. Contracts have been strictly enforced when women waive their rights to support. A more lenient standard shouldn’t apply to permit men to avoid contracts which require them to pay support.

Maitre Anne France Goldwater and Professor Robert Leckey of McGill University are representing LEAF-DAWN in this Supreme Court of Canada appeal.

LEAF-DAWN’s factum and more information can be found at
http://leaf.ca/legal-issues-cases-and-law-reform/active-cases/

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A Voice of Our Own - Winter 2011

2011-03-27T10:20:00.000-07:00

Link this issue below to read these articles and more

CCD argues at Supreme Court for Victims of Discrimination
Federal Plan Must Address Disability Poverty
Community Expectations: Implementation and Monitoring of the CRPD

(...continued)

Click A Voice of Our Own to link to the Winter 2011 issue.End of Article - Return to main page

It's chalk full o' GOODIES!!!!!!!!!!

2011-02-04T06:22:00.000-08:00

"It's chalk full o' GOODIES!!!!!!!!!!", says Kathy Rose as she describes the magnificent Valentine Gift Basket (for 2) her family has put together as part of the community effort to help raise funds for her medical trip to Albany, New York for “Liberation Treatment”.

Tickets are being sold now on the basket and the selling will continue until February 12, the night of the Benefit Fundraiser and Dance at Summer Street Industries when the winning ticket will be drawn.

Anyone interested in buying tickets (they're $1 each, and 5 to a book) can contact Kathy for further details.

*******************************************************************
Contents of Basket...

Two free movie passes
Two $10 gas cards (...continued)
Tim Horton’s $25 gift card
McKean’s flowers $30 gift certificate
Country Inn & Suites (one night accommodations, king size suite)
The Thistle $25 gift card
One bottle of white chardonnay wine with two wine glasses
Russell Stover 14 oz. chocolates
His and her animated Valentine puppies
Two Roots wallets (his and her)
His and her body wash ( Tone $ Irish Spring)
Charm Diamond Centres Stirling silver bracelet for her
Quartz water resistant watch for him
Intimate coupon booklets (contains adult humour, adult eyes only)
Tag heart shaped magnets
Tag heart shaped candles
Bearington collection with heart shaped paper weight
Heart shaped ornament
Environ friendly shopping bag
Key chain
Two picture frames
Burt’s Bees triple pack (lip balm, cuticle cream and hand salve)
Hershey chocolate kiss 181g

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Curling club accessible washroom - United Way givers deserve some mention

2010-12-15T12:51:00.000-08:00

Recently Debbi Harvie wrote a nice piece in the Pictou Advocate about wheelchairs being welcome at the New Caledonia Curling Club. I was pleased like most people who see their name in a good news story but I also felt a very important aspect of this particular story was not covered. I’d like to fill in that gap. (...continued)

This is a story of how communities can come together to do the right thing. Communities actually do that on a regular basis through United Way but only a few of those involved get noticed. Let me explain.

I got the mention but my part was really very small. This was a United Way project. At the Let Abilities Work Partnership Society we saw a need for an accessible curling rink where folks with disabilities and in wheelchairs could stick curl. The New Caledonian Club in Pictou fit the bill except it didn’t have a downstairs washroom. So, with the concurrence of the Pictou Club members, we applied to the United Way for money to buy materials to build an accessible washroom. Those Pictou club members also donated or provided all the labour to build the washroom.

But to my way of thinking, the unsung heroes here in stories like these also deserve mention - all those people (which I’m sure includes many of the Advocate's readers) who love and invest in their own communities each year through the United Way. Without their donations projects like this just couldn’t and wouldn’t happen.

So if you are one of those, next time you drive or walk by the New Caledonian Curling Club, think about its new accessible washroom inside and give yourself a pat on the back. You helped do a good thing.

Or, if you are in a wheelchair or have difficulty climbing stairs but would like to try the curling game – the opportunity is now open for you.
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Board Meeting Summary - November 16, 2010

2010-12-15T08:30:00.000-08:00

The Let Abilities Work Partnership Society (LAWPS) Board of Directors met November 16, 2010 in the basement of the Christian Fellowship Church in Abercrombie. (...continued) Present were Board members Crystal Mann, Gerald Lees, Kevin White, Judy Hughes, Darrell Feit, Jane Burris, Interpreter Angela Anderson, and Ralph Ferguson. Regrets: Philip Fisher, Ron Levy, Fred Popowich Absent: Jason MacDonald

The agenda was accepted with additions from Burris, Lees and Feit.

Minutes of October 19th, 2010 were reviewed and a motion moved and seconded by White and Lees was voted and carried to accept both these minutes as well as the minutes from our September 8th, 2010 meeting.

Business arising from Minutes

Christmas Meeting – The Chicken Chalet has reserved room for us for 4pm on Dec. 14th to seat about 30 with the first hour for a meeting followed by supper. Menu choices are available. Advise Gerald of your chaoice soon or be prepared to order on arrival from the menu.
Lilac bush – It’s too late to plant now and the family may be selling the property. Judy put the issue on hold until spring. Jane advises that $100 will get about 6 lilac bushes – the start of a hedge.
Basketball – Ralph & Jason met with NSCC principal Dave Freckelton. Decision to try to involve NSCC student to work with us in the activity and to perhaps seek a grant to support that initiative. Jason is trying to set up meeting with the Student Association through their President Jillian Greene.
Church Accessibility – Jane & Ralph met with Pastor Morrison who committed to begin ASAP to fix the back door accessibility problem by installing an 8 foot concrete platform outside and a new, more wheelchair friendly back door. We will also seek grant funding to build an accessible washroom near the back door but that grant funding is not likely available again until the spring.
Open house – Following discussion, a committee formed (Jane, Crystal & Kevin) to meet January 18th at 9am before our board meeting to plan the open house meet & greet and membership drive so we do not have it before we are really ready. Ralph to write a draft letter to various organizations to tell them about LAWPS and our membership drive and urge them to inform their members.
Recreation meeting – Judy still has that on her “to do” list.
Accessibility – Deferred to a future meeting.
Emergency measures – Darrell’s presentation deferred to a future meeting

Review of Committee’s Activities

Reports – discussed if we should have written or oral reports. Agreed at present to go with short oral reports and capture them in minutes. If our numbers blossom, we will switch to written reports.
Deaf & Hard of Hearing Committee – Darrell has had difficulty getting Frank O’Sullivan to set a date for the roundtable follow-up meeting in January. Following some discussion, we decided it should be held late in January. Monday January 24 or 25th was picked as a date and Crystal will check to see if we can book it at Summer Street Industries from 1-3pm with a lunch as last time. Judy and Crystal will invite all who attended the first time plus DAANS, Clarrie MacKinnon, Charlie Parker, Tammy? (Darrell to provide last name and email) and Dave Freckelton NSCC Principal who was interested but was unable to come to the first meeting. Judy to draft invitation letter including RSVP. Crystal will email these invitations and a follow up letter 3 weeks before event.
Employment Services for PWD – Judy, Gerald, Ron, Ralph & Kevin met with Chris Cook who runs East Novability, the (CPN) Collaborative Partnership Network office in Port Hawkesbury. Theirs may be a more disability specialized service than what is currently offered here locally and indeed, some clients have been travelling to Port Hawkesbury to avail themselves of service in Chris’s office. Judy intends as well to speak about employability with Career Connections and to that end she has set up an appointment for she and Ralph to have general discussion with Amanda White on December 8th with regard to how PWD are receiving employment service.
Gerald advised the CPN is concerned where some offices have not been using their available allotments of the Disability Ops and the DCS funds for disabled clients. This may require a reallocation of these funds early in 2011 to ensure they will not go unused.

Executive Director Report and includes business arising from Executive Director’s Report

Finances – Presented a financial update to end of October 2010. Attached as part of minutes.
Children with Autism – Call from Rudy Knoester of Masonic Lodge. I agreed to receive money from Masonic Lodge to be spent as directed by Heidi Lindblad of Pictou County Children with Autism Association which plans to purchase tracking bracelets for autistic children who wander off.
Curling Rink Washroom – accessible washroom at New Caledonia Curling Rink in Pictou very near complete. Will work with Kevin to get some publicity around this when complete.
Grants – Grants for United Way and Wellness must be submitted by deadline in December. Ralph to chair a committee with Kevin, Judy, Darrell and Jane to decide on and write up grant applications.
UN Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities – Ralph & Ron attended a roundtable in Halifax last week put on by Human Rights Commission, Disabled Persons Commission and NSLEO as part of NSLEO 30th anniversary celebration. The roundtable examined Section 29 of the Treaty which deals with political rights of PWD and the commitment of signatory governments (including Canada & Nova Scotia) to promote and support political involvement of their people with disabilities.
Wii Stations – In order to receive the further funds from our Wellness grant, we committed to setting up a couple of Wii stations as part of a drop-in centre for local persons with disabilities. Crystal will price up what we need by way of this equipment and check into a possible recreation rebate.

Correspondence
Judy is composing letters to members of the past Deaf & Hard of Hearing roundtable and to East Novability following up our meeting with Chris Cook. At her request, Ralph volunteered to proof her letters when completed

New Business

Storage – The furniture from our office was put into storage. We are paying $40 a month. Jane checked and we can move much of it into the church where it can be used by us and others. Agreed to proceed to find a way to transport it over from storage. Jane & Ralph to arrange to clear out the storage. Major items can be brought to the church for use here.
Coffee – The church has been supplying coffee for our meetings which is very kind. However, Jane suggested that is an imposition and all agreed we should each bring in a cup and we can buy some coffee and filters for the Melitta coffee maker and a Brita water filter for our water drinkers.
Bank Charges and Cell Phone – We are a non-profit and Jane suggested that the Credit Union and Rogers Telephone might be willing to write off our bank fees and cell phone bill. Jane will check.
Books – As an information item, Gerald Lees brought in and we briefly discussed a couple of books (Tools for Life; & A book listing organizations.) he had picked up at the last CPN meeting.
Glasses – Summer Street Industries is putting frosted designs on water and wine glasses which they sell for $7 each. Darrell brought in a couple of samples with our LAWPS logo and that of the Deaf & Hard of Hearing Committee on them. He suggested we might want to give these our as gifts to participants at the round-table. That would be very expensive. Darrell was asked to see if a better price could be negotiated for a larger order.
Canadian Centre for Disability Studies in Winnipeg has asked for our help on a national study they are doing. We will be paid $6000 for the work in Nova Scotia which initially means finding suitable participants and setting up two focus groups – one here in New Glasgow and one in Halifax and some follow up work later. Judy and Ralph have reviewed the request and agreed that LAWPS will take it on.

In Camera
There was no in camera business.

Date of next Board Meeting & Motion to Adjourn

Next meeting will be December 14th at 4pm at Chicken Chalet.
Dates and times for meetings in 2011 are:
January 18, 2011 10:00 am
February 15, 2011 10:00 am
March 15, 1211 10:00 am
April 19, 1211 10:00 am
May 17, 1211 10:00 am
June 21, 1211 10:00 am
Mark these dates on your calendars!
A motion to adjourn was moved and seconded by Jane and Crystal - carried.

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Freedom: the most fundamental human right

2010-11-17T08:54:00.000-08:00

EDITOR NOTE: Last week I attended a round-table discussion on the political rights of persons with disabilites hosted by Robert Chisholm at the Lord Nelson Hotel in Halifax. Afterwards, Mr. Chisholm posted his thoughts on the subject in a very interesting letter to the press. In case you missed that letter, I've included its content. Click below. (... continued)

By ROBERT CHISHOLM

Aung San Suu Kyi is free! The Burmese pro-democracy leader has spent 15 of the last 21 years in detention without a trial. As of last Saturday, she is free. Also last week, Canadians took time to remember the sacrifices of women and men who have fought and died, or been permanently disabled, on the fields of battle in the name of peace and freedom.

So it is fitting that I sit on a beautiful Saturday morning in mid-November to reflect on freedom: It is the very essence of our humanity. Freedom to choose, to voice our opinions, freedom to vote for the person or party that best reflects our point of view, freedom to stand for and to hold public office — or as I would prefer to think, freedom to serve.

These freedoms are the things that we Nova Scotians are blessed with. Freedoms that Aung San Suu Kyi insists upon for her people, freedoms for which our own heroes have fought and died all over the world.

But is this true for us all? I’ve spent the last few days thinking deeply about this. On Tuesday of last week, I was asked to stand in for my old friend and colleague Alexa McDonough, who had agreed to host a round-table discussion on the right to participate in the community for Nova Scotians who have disabilities, and who — much to my surprise — constitute 20 per cent of our population.

Alexa has been a longtime supporter of this group, called the Nova Scotia League for Equal Opportunity, or LEO. Last Tuesday, LEO celebrated its 30th anniversary and began the day by organizing a round-table discussion on participation in public life for people with disabilities. Or as I have been thinking since: freedom to participate and freedom to serve, the essence of our humanity.

We started the discussion by looking at the basics: In elections, many polling stations are not accessible, so many Nova Scotians with disabilities cannot vote. Moreover, they cannot consider being involved in community clubs, service agencies, school boards, town councils, political parties. In effect, very many of the close to 200,000 Nova Scotians who report having a disability are not free to vote because they cannot get into the polling station; nor are they free to engage in the community on an equal basis with others.

In fact, many disabled Nova Scotians live lives that would be familiar to Aung San Suu Kyi — lives where you do not get out of the house, do not participate freely in the community, and do not have an opportunity to freely voice your opinion.

The facts are daunting. So, LEO gathered a group of people with disabilities to talk about the promise of the new UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and especially Article 29 of that treaty which looks at the freedom to participate in public and political life. LEO believes, and I think it is right, that the freedom to participate in political and public life is the first step toward achieving the promise of the convention.

The group was diverse: Disabled people from all across the province came together with former politicians, like myself, and some sitting members of the House. Along with the politicians were representatives from the province’s Human Rights Commission, Disabled Persons Commission, Elections Nova Scotia, and other departments with an interest in the issue.

What followed was a lively and exciting exchange of views. We all agreed that the situation must change. We were happy to learn that steps are being taken to improve access during elections, and agreed that it was essential to find better ways to engage this significant percentage of our population. We noted that the very fact of coming together was an important step; we spoke candidly of shortcomings, but optimistically about the road ahead.

So, as I sit here on this lovely autumn morning reflecting on freedom, on the promise of a world with a newly free Aung San Suu Kyi, on the wonder of the freedom in our lives because of the sacrifice of our soldiers, I am also filled with hope.

Hope that the freedom to participate in political and public life, the basis of our democracy that has for so long eluded many Nova Scotians with disabilities, may be about to emerge on the radar screen of public opinion.
Robert Chisholm is co-principal of Simon Chisholm Consulting Inc. and former leader of the Nova Scotia NDP.End of Article - Return to main page

Board Meeting Summary - October 19, 2010

2010-11-17T08:00:00.000-08:00

New Glasgow - The Let Abilities Work Board met on Tuesday, October 19, 2010 at 10 a.m. in the basement of Christian Fellowship Church, Abercrombie Road, New Glasgow(...continued)

Present: Judy Hughes, Philip Fisher, Kevin White, Ralph Ferguson, Ron Levy, Gerald Lees, Darrell Feit, and Angie Anderson.

Regrets: Crystal Mann, Fred Popowich, Jane Burris and Jason MacDonald with Robert MacIsaac excused.

Minutes: Ralph Ferguson took notes. Minutes of our September 8th meeting were read & corrected.

Accessibility – is "an overarching tenant of our work". We agreed to devote the first hour of next months meeting to accessibility.

Meeting Time – our next meetings date will be November 16th and thereafter on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 10 AM at Christian Fellowship Church except in December when a joint Christmas meeting with CHAD will be on December 14th.

Membership builder - a public meet & greet in these church premises with veggie and fruit trays in January as part of a prepared membership drive. For future, Gerald Lees checked church office. We can bring food into the hall for functions or there is someone who caters functions but the church doesn’t.

Lilac bush - Judy Hughes authorized to purchase a lilac bush to honour Cheryl Campbell.

Basketball Wheelchairs at NSCC – Problem from pre-summer. Jason MacDonald is trying to set up a meeting date when Dave Freckelton is available to meet and discuss the issue with him and Ralph Ferguson.

Wheelchairs in community – Owners who no longer need refurbish able chairs and would like to donate them back into this community can contact Faye Joudrey at the Abilities Foundation to arrange for recycling .

Deaf & Hard of Hearing – Darrell Feit gave an update concerning the ASL/English interpreter issue as well as on emergency measures for persons with disabilities. There is an emergency measures book for distribution. Darrell Feit will give a presentation at next meeting. We will look for an electronic version as well. LAWPS can use as part of the membership drive in January and Kevin White to check to see how we can use it with media publicity to build our community image. We will follow up on the local Deaf Roundtable Meeting held in June in the New Year.

Employment - We will meet with Chris Cook to investigate an outreach from Port Hawkesbury based East Novability to give Pictou County people with disabilities who would choose it the option of more specialized disability employment services.

Curling Club Grant – Construction is near complete on an accessible washroom in New Caledonia Curling Rink in Pictou making the facility accessible for stick curling which can be played by persons with disabilities including those in wheelchairs. $1500 of the United Way grant for materials is paid out with $500 held back until completion.

Potential Accessibility Grant – We will investigate the possibility of grant funding to improve exterior door and washroom accessibility serving the space we are using in the basement of the Christian Fellowship Church. A motion passed to hold discussion with Pastor Morrison concerning our desire to begin this action.

Transportation – Ron Levy gave update on CHAD transit. The bus service is struggling but surviving.

Media Chair – Judy Hughes asked Kevin White to take on the task of media chair.

Chronic Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency (CCSVI) – Philip Fisher reported that the local MS group has been looking into the costs and details around the CCSVI treatment in New York. Will keep us informed on what they find out.

Recreation – Activities briefly discussed. Archery is ongoing now on Tuesday evenings; curling will evolve; sledge hockey proved unsuitable for our people at present so is off our table; we are working to resolve our wheelchair basketball problem and there are other such activities we have done or could do. A meeting will be set to map out what is possible in this regard.

Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Network (EDN) – Group is going strong. Kevin White is no longer on their board of directors. No one from this area is. The group is seeking to establish a service in each area which failed here before probably because our local group received no support from the central body. Discuss with Chris Cook when we meet to see if self employment activity might fit into that effort.

Media Relations – We do outstanding stuff that no one hears about. We must start naming it and telling the public. Kevin White will be the “guard at the gate” looking for our stories and photo ops and work with Judy Hughes to get media attention to them with press conferences, releases, etc.
Examples: John Lowrey’s retirement and again in January when we hold our meet & greet membership promo.

CNIB – Gerald Lees reported that CNIB has reopened its store in Halifax where its staff numbers in Halifax are back up again. However, Pictou Co. is served from Sydney where there is only one staff person who does mobility training and low vision clinics from Sydney to Yarmouth. So generally in Sydney there in not even someone to answer the phone. Michele Fudge uses our LAWPS office to run low vision clinics in this area. She is a good worker but her territory is too large for a single person to provide an adequate service.

Judy Hughes' goal as Chair – ``I want us to be advancing our communities. Is there something we can do for CNIB, CHAD, Deaf & Hard of Hearing and our various groups by lending our support and resources to our various constituencies?``

Collaborative Partnership Network (CPN) events – Gerald Lees spoke to two upcoming events.

1. An employment symposium will be held in December around the International Day of the Disabled. Everyone agreed we should participate as a CPN member. The cost of about $700 we will have to fund raise to cover. Gerald Lees will attend. Decision by consensus.

2. A larger, more expensive national event will be held in June of the Canadian Association of Supported Employment (CASE). Not discussed. It’s for a later time.

LAWPS Monthly Board Meeting schedule until June 2011 –
(Generally the 3rd Tuesday of month except December.)

November 16, 2010 10:00 am
December 14, 2010 04:00 am
January 18, 2011 10:00 am
February 15, 2011 10:00 am
March 15, 1211 10:00 am
April 19, 1211 10:00 am
May 17, 1211 10:00 am
June 21, 1211 10:00 am

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 12:10 p.m..The End - Return to main page

Board Meeting Summary - September 8, 2010

2010-09-10T16:49:00.000-07:00

New Glasgow - The Let Abilities Work Board met on Wednesday, September 8, 2010 at 10 a.m. in the upstairs Community Room, New Glasgow Library.(...continued)

Present: Crystal Mann, Fred Popowich, Ralph Ferguson, Ron Levy, Gerald Lees, Jane Burris, Darrell Feit, Susan Fraser, Robert MacIsaac and Angie Anderson.

Regrets: Judy Hughes, Philip Fisher, Kevin White and Jason MacDonald

Remembering Cheryl: We agreed to plant a lilac bush in memory of past chairperson, Cheryl Campbell. Society members can gather as a group to plant it.

Minutes: Meeting minutes from of May 19th meeting were approved.

Financial Report: Society is in good financial shape.

Reunion of School for the Deaf at Amherst: Darrell Feitattended and gave report on this event.

Present Committments discussed including accessibility, wheelchair basketball, Pictou curling club and the wellness grant.

Ongoing discussions with the local Nova Scotia Community College concerning use of student gym for wheelchair basketball and storage space being used for wheelchairs. Gordie Publicover of CPA was involved but is no longer with the Canadian Paraplegic Association because of downsizing. Unfortunately, there is no one to spearhead or coach this wheelchair basketball activity at this time.
Completion on constructio of the accessible washroom at the Pictou New Caledonia Curling Club will be completed this fall in time for the curling season.
We have a Wellness Grant for rental and must locate rental space for our activities including a disability dropin location.

ASL/English Interpreter Issue - A community roundtable on this issue was held in June at Summer Street Industries. Work and discussions are ongoing with provincial Deaf organizations and others. In future some followup on the roundtable will be required.

Subcomittees: - Our need to develop subcommittees to get our work done on issues was discussed. The main areas of activity are accessibility, recreation, employment, education, housing, transportation and community. Then there are other disability related issues like cell phone coverage. Some of these areas can be grouped together. With limited personnel resources, it is not possible to have a large number of subcommittees. There will be a full discussion of subcommittees and priorities at the next regular meeting.

Meeting Date & Time: - Our need to develop a regular meeting date and time was acknowledged. Set next meeting.
Community Stakeholders:

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 11:45 a.m..The End - Return to main page

Family and friends remember Cheryl Campbell

2010-08-15T16:17:00.000-07:00

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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Personal tracking system will help locate children and seniors who roam

2010-08-05T10:42:00.000-07:00

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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Nova Scotia's disabled community mourns loss of leaders

2010-07-29T09:33:00.000-07:00

This month, Nova Scotia's disability community mourns the passing of two of its prominent leaders, Pictou County's Cheryl Susan Campbell and Alan Fisher of Truro in Colchester County.

Cheryl was past Chair of Let Abilities Work Partnership Society having served as Chair until June of this year and Alan was past Chair of Disabled Consumers Society of Colchester. Their positive influence as both community leaders and as friends will be greatly missed.

Click here below where I have reproduced their respective obituaries as published on the funeral home web sites. (...continued)
Cheryl Susan Campbell
(August 10, 1953 - July 17, 2010)

PICTOU LANDING – Cheryl Susan Campbell, 56, Pictou Landing, formerly of New Glasgow, passed away Saturday, July 17, 2010 at home.

Born in Berwick, on August 10, 1953, she was a daughter of Kenneth Hilborn Benson, Ottawa and the late Joyce Pauline (Hepburn) Kelly. Cheryl spent much of her career as a researcher for addiction services, facilitating school outreach and drug awareness programs. Prior to her illness, she was a freelance consultant. Cheryl enjoyed spending time at the “Enchanted Pines”, traveling, laughter and spending time with friends. To those she championed, she will be ever remembered as a compassionate and reliable friend. She was a loving mother, who was very proud of her children’s accomplishments.

Surviving besides her father are children, Jonathan, Halifax; Terry (Janis), St. John’s, Nfld.; Briona (Jonathan Thibodeau), Halifax; companion, Nelson Walker; step-father, John Kelly, Antigonish; sister, Debbie, Bridgewater; brother, Archie, Ottawa; niece, Andrea, Bridgewater; nephews, Nigel and William, Ottawa.

Besides her mother, she was predeceased by her husband, John Kenneth Campbell.

A private celebration of Cheryl’s life will be held August 7th for immediate family and invited guests at the “Enchanted Pines”.

An act of kindness in Cheryl’s memory would be very much appreciated.
Arrangements are entrusted to P. & K. MacDonald Funeral Home, New Glasgow. www.pkmacdonald.ca

“Come to the edge, he said. They said: We are afraid. Come to the edge, he said. They came. He pushed them and they flew.” - Guillaume Apollinaire

Alan Russell Fisher
(August 16th 1952 - July 23rd 2010)

TRURO – Alan Russell Fisher, 57, of Truro, passed away at Colchester Regional Hospital, on Friday, July 23, 2010. Born in New Glasgow, Alan was the youngest son of the late Betty (Mills) Fisher and Harold (Barb) Fisher, Oregon USA.

Alan loved life and people. At a very early age, Alan was diagnosed with polio but that never stopped him from living a full and rewarding life. In his early years he worked at Trenton Works.

He was Past President of Disabled Consumer Society of Colchester and most recently was Bingo Chairperson at DCSC, leading a team of wonderful people. Alan had a passion for photography and old cars, especially his 1966 Red Chevy Impala.

Left to mourn is his only true love in life, Linda Bates, who cared for him unconditionally throughout his very private battle with cancer. He is also survived by brother Ivan (Ann), New Glasgow, sisters Arlene (Brian) McCracken, Bluesky, Alta; Debbie (Stewart) Wilson, Berwyn, Alta; sister-in-law Mary Fisher, Trenton, as well as several nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins, aunts, and uncles. Alan was also predeceased by his brother, and friend David (2007), brother Harold in infancy, and his (admired) nephew Brent Fisher (2007).

Visitation will be 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, July 27th, with a funeral service to be held @ 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 28th, 2010, all in Colchester Community Funeral Home, 512 Willow St. Truro with Pastor Doug Campbell officiating.

Donations in Alan’s memory may be made to Colchester Regional Hospital Palliative Care. Cremation will take place following the funeral service.

Special thanks to Alan’s great team of Doctors, both locally, and in metro Halifax, especially Dr. Robert Graham and Dr. Dorianne Rheaume.

Online condolences may be sent to: www.colchestercommunity.com
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Council of Canadians with Disabilities - Chairperson's Update: June 2010

2010-07-20T13:14:00.000-07:00

This Update shares information about CCD's Annual General Meeting and some additional activities undertaken by CCD during the month of June.(...continued)

Annual General Meeting 2010

Executive Committee--The Council elected a new Executive Committee. The newly constituted Committee consists of:

Tony Dolan, Chairperson
Roy Muise, Vice Chair
Susan Ralph, Vice Chair
Claredon Robicheau, Secretary
Mary Ennis, Treasurer
Terry Green, Member at Large
Marie White, Past Chairperson

Committee Chairs—The Council re-appointed Committee chairs for a one-year term.

Dean Richert and Anne Levesque, Human Rights Committee Co-chairs
Rhonda Wiebe and Dean Richert, Ending of Life Ethics Committee Co-chairs
Marie White, Social Policy Committee Chair
Steve Estey and Mary Ennis, International Development Committee Co-chairs
Pat Danforth, Transportation Committee Chair
John Rae and Gary Birch, Access to Technology Committee Co-chairs

CCD Award—The following recipients were announced:

BCCPD — Jeanette Andersen
ACCD — Hilda Campbell and Lorrie Goegan
SK Voice — Margie Bort
MLPD — Daniel Halechko
COPHAN — Marc-Andrė Burelle-Favron
NS-LEO — Steven Estey
PEI Council -- Bernie Wilson
COD — John Collins
CAD — Martin Bergevin
DAWN/RAFH Canada — Dr. Michelle Owen
NEADS — Mahadeo Sukhai and Jennifer Dillon
TVAC — Terry Vachon (Mrs.)
CWD–O — Terrance Green
AEBC — Irene Lambert

Tribute to Retiring Chairperson Marie White—On Friday evening, CCD thanked Marie White for her dedication to the organization. Marie served a record four terms as Chairperson. While retiring as Chairperson, Marie will continue her involvement as Past Chairperson and as Chairperson of the Social Policy Committee.

During the celebration for Marie, CCD staged a one-woman play called "One in Five", starring Winnipeg actor Jane Burpee. The play focuses on the issues of women with a mental health disability.

CRPD Workshop—Steve Estey presented a workshop on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) for CCD Council on 11 June 2010. During the morning of 10 June 2010, Steve delivered an information session on the CRPD for Manitoba Government officials and then in the afternoon shared the same information with the Manitoba League of Persons with Disabilities (MLPD).

Disabling Poverty/Enabling Citizenship Research Project
Mid-term Evaluation Report Completed—The project team submitted its mid-term evaluation report to the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council. During the month, the three project themes—Demographics, Legal and Policy—currently undertaking research, have published a number of reports on the Disabling Poverty/Enabling Citizenship web page. For example, the following new reports are available for your summer reading:

Disabling Poverty and Enabling Citizenship: Understanding the Poverty and Exclusion of Canadians with Disabilities

An Overview of the Comparator Group Analysis in Human Rights Jurisprudence

An Overview of the Human Rights Jurisprudence Underpinning the Test for Prima Facie Discrimination

National Action Plan on Disability

Housing Is A Human Right—CCD continues to make Canadians aware of the disability community's National Action Plan, which is built upon a human rights foundation. This month, CCD Executive Member Susan Ralph was a panelist at this year's CASHRA conference. Drawing upon the National Action Plan and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Susan's presentation focused on the disability community's objectives regarding accessible housing and de-institutionalization. An institution is not a home and CCD believes that everyone has a right to live, with disability-related supports, if needed, in a home in the community.

Ending of Life Ethics Committee Members Make Presentation

CCD On Parliament Hill--On 16 June 2010, Rhonda Wiebe and Jim Derksen, appeared before the House of Commons Committee on Palliative and Compassionate Care to explain how negative attitudes about disability put people with disabilities in harm's way and to suggest recommendations on how to improve the medical care and public policy environments, as both are affected by negative stereotypes about disability.

On 17 June 2010, Rhonda Wiebe met with Senator Sharon Carstairs to discuss CCD's position on end of life issues. Senator Carstairs has just completed the Senate report "Raising the Bar: A Roadmap for the Future of Palliative Care in Canada" (June 2010).

Announcement: Webinars Coming to A Computer Near You

Over the past year, CWDO has planned and delivered 32 online seminars – webinars – on topics ranging from “Financial Planning” to “Emerging Ideas in Critical Disability Studies.” Most of these webinars are now archived and posted on our website.

This fall, CWDO is planning two more webinars related to website accessibility. The first, Planning and Purchasing an Accessible Web-site, will be held August 10, 2010 from 1-2 pm (EST). It will be of interest to those with novice to intermediate technical skills. It will show participants how to develop their websites, what an accessible website is, the role websites play in business today, why it is beneficial for your company/organization to have one and who benefits from an accessible website. The presenters are Everett Zufelt and Michael Gifford, who are professionals in their field.

Implementing WCAG 2.0 is the second webinar, and it is being offered for intermediate to advanced website designers on September 10, 2010 from 1-4 pm (EST). This in-depth webinar will be led Michael Cooper from the World Wide Web Consortium’s Web Accessibility Initiative. Michael will demystify WCAG 2.0 and help participants understand how to implement the standards.

All CWDO webinars are offered free of charge and may be attended by anyone, anywhere, with internet access. Real-time captioning and other accommodation is made available upon request to ensure full participation. Webinars are presented in English.
We sincerely hope you will get acquainted with us through our webinars. Plan to participate, and mark the dates in your calendar now!For more information and to register, click on the webinar links.
· Planning and Purchasing an Accessible Web-site
· Implementing WCAG 2.0

Terrance Green, Chairperson, Citizens With Disabilities – OntarioThe End - Return to main page