the kamloops self- advocate · quotes december 2016 issue# 37 it’s an exciting time of year...
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December 1, 2016 The Kamloops Self-Advocate
1
The
Kamloops
Self-
Advocate:
A Newsletter for
People with
Diverse Abilities
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Feature Articles
Jokes
Recipe
Awareness days
Upcoming Events
Quotes
December 2016 Issue# 37
It’s an exciting time of year everyone. The Kamloops Self
Advocate wishes everyone a safe and happy winter season.
There are lots of winter events in the community to be a part
of and share with other people. If you would like to tell our
readers how you enjoyed the winter season, you’re your
stories to thekamloopsselfdvocate@yahoo.com.
We would also like to take this opportunity to thank our
regular contributors and our advertisers for their continued
support. You have helped to make 2016 another great year
and without you the newsletter wouldn't be such a great
success.
Just as we want to acknowledge our supporters, maybe you
would like to do the same. Starting in January, there will be
a recognition column. We want to hear about all of the great
people in the community who are doing things to help others
overcome barriers or be more successful. See page
7 for more information about how you can
recognize someone great in your life.
Contact us at:
thekamloopsselfadvocate@yahoo.com
743 Nicola St., Rear, Kamloops, BC V2C 6G4
December 1, 2016 The Kamloops Self-Advocate
2
Capturing the Lost Art of
Christmas Caroling
For many people singing
Christmas carols has
become a tradition or a
ritual. The Christmas
season is a time of
pondering and reflection.
Singing Christmas carols
helps us do this. When we
concentrate on the words,
we often remember the
true meaning of Christmas.
My favorite Christmas
carol is “O Holy Night.” I
love this song because the
words have great meaning
for me.
Have you ever
wondered what happened
to Christmas caroling? I
have. Why don’t we see
this tradition as often
anymore? Christmas
caroling is nearly a lost art
that should be revived.
Christmas carolers used to
travel from home to home
singing Christmas songs to
all of those who opened
their doors. This lifted
everyone’s spirits. This
tradition is beneficial for
everyone, especially for
those with diverse abilities
because they are not
always able to leave their
homes.
The Christmas
season can be a very lonely
time for people with
diverse abilities. This
Christmas activity is a
great way to gather
community involvement
no matter what our abilities
may be. Be brave and
gather a group of your
friends, travel around your
neighborhood and sing
your heart out. If going out
caroling is not your style,
wrap yourself in Christmas
carols and let them nourish
your heart and soul.
Be hospitable and
open the door and let the
warmth of the Christmas
song envelope your home.
This does not cost
anything. Remember that
Christmas carols are more
than words on a page.
They possess truth and
meaning. Merry Christmas
to all.
If you would like to
attend a Christmas Eve
service, please join me at
Summit Drive Church on
Dec. 24th
at 4:00pm,
5:30pm or 7:00pm. There
are many other churches in
town that have Christmas
Eve services as well.
O Holy Night
(Composed by Adolphe
Adam in 1847)
O holy night!
The stars are brightly
shining
It is the night of the dear
Savior's birth!
Long lay the world in sin
and error pining
Till he appear'd and the
soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary
soul rejoices
For yonder breaks a new
and glorious morn!
Fall on your knees
Oh hear the angel voices
Oh night divine
Oh night when Christ was
born
Oh night divine
Oh night divine
Led by the light of Faith
serenely beaming
With glowing hearts by
His cradle we stand
So led by light of a star
sweetly gleaming
Here come the wise men
from Orient land
The King of Kings lay thus
in lowly manger
In all our trials born to be
our friend
Truly He taught us to love
December 1, 2016 The Kamloops Self-Advocate
3
one another
His law is love and His
gospel is peace
Chains shall He break for
the slave is our brother
And in His name all
oppression shall cease
Sweet hymns of joy in
grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His
holy name
Krystian’s Corner
We like to spend time at
Christmas with family and
opening and giving gifts.
It’s better to give then get
and that’s what Christmas
is all about. It’s also a time
for some to celebrate
Jesus’ birth. For others,
it’s about being together as
family or friends and
having lots of fun!
It’s also a time to go and
see wonderful Christmas
lights and drink hot
chocolate or eggnog. I love
eggnog and Christmas
because I get to spend time
as a family.
There is a CPR holiday
train that pulls into
Kamloops on Thursday
December 15th
at 5pm.
There will be music from
entertainers and Santa. I
have been to it a couple
years now since Ben my
friend lives in Kamloops.
Bring a non-perishable
food item for the
Kamloops Food Bank. I
hope Santa sings again this
year. Remember to dress
warm if you go.
Quotes
Christmas is the perfect
time to celebrate the love
of God and family and to
create memories that will
last forever. Jesus is God's
perfect, indescribable gift.
The amazing thing is that
not only are we able to
receive this gift, but we are
able to share it with others
on Christmas and every
other day of the year. ~
Joel Osteen
Christmas isn't a season.
It's a feeling. ~ Edna
Ferber
Maybe Christmas, the
Grinch thought, doesn't
come from a store. ~
Dr. Seuss
Christmas is not a time nor
a season, but a state of
mind. To cherish peace and
goodwill, to be plenteous
in mercy, is to have the
real spirit of Christmas.
~ Calvin Coolidge
Linda’s Butterscotch
Squares
Melt 1 package of
butterscotch Chip-its and
1/2 cup margarine (Do not
boil, leave to cool)
Mix 1/2 package miniature
marshmallows, 1/2 cup
peanut butter and 1/2 cup
coconut
Then pour cooled
butterscotch mixture over
the marshmallow mixture
and press into a 8 x 8 inch
pan.
Refrigerate and enjoy.
Jokes
Q. What do Santa’s elves
learn in school?
A. The Elfabet.
December 1, 2016 The Kamloops Self-Advocate
4
Q. What does Santa like to
do in the garden?
A. Hoe, hoe, hoe!
Q: What do Santa’s elves
drive?
A: Minivans.
Q: What do Santa’s elves
drink?
A: Minnesoda.
http://www.funology.com/
christs-jokes/
A Friend
Remembered
It is with great sorrow that
I announce the passing of
my friend, Leanne
Gunnison. She died in
November after battling
cancer. Although she had
some severe physical
disabilities, I enjoyed
bowling with her each
week. And, she loved
playing cards. We were
long-time friends, going
way back to when we were
in school together at
Overlander Secondary.
Towards the end of her
life, I enjoyed feeding her
and visiting with her. She
made me laugh and it was
a joy being her friend. I
know you are at peace now
where pain is no more.
Take care of yourself
Leanne. You will live in
my heart forever.
By: Colleen Dickie
Christmas with
Diverse Abilities.
https://www.theguardian.c
om/social-care-
network/2012/dec/18/learn
ing-disabilities-tips-family-
christmas
For most families,
Christmas is a time of
celebration and fun. The
odd bah-humbug moment
aside, most of us would
probably admit to enjoying
the sheer indulgence of it
all. If, however, a member
of your family has autism
and/or a learning disability,
it may be a different story.
Kerrylee Doxsey has three
sons. Her middle son,
George, has cerebral palsy,
autism, epilepsy and severe
learning disabilities.
George hates any change
in his routine, and
Christmas is a nightmare
for the family.
"The build-up to Christmas
is intolerable for George,"
says Kerrylee. "The lights,
the crowds, the queues in
shops. It all makes him
extremely anxious. If
anyone pops round with a
gift, George will drop to
the floor and start head-
banging. Even phone calls
wishing us a happy
Christmas will set him off.
"We are no longer invited
to family gatherings
because of his behaviour.
We'd love to have a
'normal' Christmas for the
other boys, but instead it
has to be like every other
day or George can't cope."
Kerrylee's experience will
be recognised by many
other families caring for
someone with autism and
other forms of learning
disability. Christmas can
be an extremely stressful
time for parents who have
to balance the whole
family's needs.
Netbuddy has collected the
following tips and advice
for surviving the festive
season from families of
people with learning
disabilities:
Sensory overload
The disruption to the
normal routine, unfamiliar
sights and smells, crowds,
lights, the house full of
noise and people –
December 1, 2016 The Kamloops Self-Advocate
5
Christmas viewed from the
eyes of someone with
autism or learning
disabilities takes on a
totally different
perspective.
Try and look at the world
from your child's angle.
Schedule in daily activities
to give them your
undivided attention, even if
it's only for 10 minutes.
Give them some
Christmas-free time every
day.
Create a Christmas-free
zone in your home where
your child can feel safe. If
they really can't cope with
any changes in the house,
encourage your other
children to decorate their
own bedrooms.
Many people with autism
find the strong smells
associated with Christmas
difficult to handle. Try
introducing new smells
gradually. Add cinnamon
to your child's playdough,
for example. Ask visitors
to hold off on the perfume
when they come to visit.
Presents
Choosing a gift for a
family member who has
learning disabilities can be
a struggle. Finding a
present that is age-
appropriate but also
suitable for someone's
ability and development, is
never easy.
"People often give Sam
presents he can't play with
or that he'll just break,"
says one parent. "It is so
difficult explaining to
relatives why something
they've bought isn't
suitable."
Many people with autism
and/or learning disabilities
get a particular comfort
from familiarity.
Unwrapping presents and
opening new things can
create anxiety and
confusion. The expectation
to open one present after
another on Christmas Day
is often overwhelming.
A good solution could be
to ask friends and family to
donate towards a single
present. That way, you can
choose something suitable,
which will get used, and
your child won't be
overloaded with gifts.
Also, try wrapping up
some favourite toys. It can
be very reassuring to
unwrap something
familiar. Netbuddy has
created a Christmas gift
guide of suitable presents
for people with learning
disabilities, which have all
been road-tested by
families.
Siblings Balancing the needs of
people with learning
disabilities and their
siblings can be really
difficult at Christmas.
"Sarah finds it so hard to
be happy and jolly with all
her friends, then come
home to a house where
Christmas is essentially
cancelled," says one
parent. "I feel like I'm
taking away part of her
childhood."
Try and make time for
Christmas activities with
siblings, even if it's just for
an hour or so a day. Try
taking turns with your
partner to do things
individually with them.
Don't be afraid to ask for
help. Friends and family
may not know how to
support you unless you tell
them. Enlist their help to
look after your child with
additional needs, while you
focus on Christmas
activities like school plays,
visits to Santa's grotto or
carol singing with your
other children.
The Big Day Many parents of children
and adults with learning
disabilities worry about
how relatives will react to
their behaviour. Talking to
them in advance about
your child's specific needs
will really help. Ask for
their support and let them
know this will make the
December 1, 2016 The Kamloops Self-Advocate
6
whole experience better for
everyone.
If Christmas Day is at
another family member's
home, make sure there will
be a calm room or space
where your child can go if
it all gets too much. Pack a
backpack with their
favourite things, which
they will find comforting if
they get over-stimulated.
If you are hosting, try not
to overstretch yourself.
Your child will pick up on
your stress levels, so keep
your plans simple.
Give your child jobs, such
as taking coats and
offering nibbles round.
Giving them something to
do will reduce the stress of
having people in the house.
Try giving them an
itinerary in advance so
they know what will be
happening throughout the
day and they understand,
for example, that people
stand around and chat a lot.
Emma Sterland is the
website manager of
www.netbuddy.org.uk, a
practical tip-swapping site
and online community for
parents, carers and
learning disability
professionals
Awareness days
December 3: United
Nations International Day
of Disabled Persons;
International
December 5: International
Volunteer Day;
International
December 6: National Day
of Remembrance and
Action on Violence
Against Women
December 10: Human
Rights Day; International
Christmas Trees
Woodward Christmas
Trees is open daily
beginning November 26th
to December 23rd, 2016
On weekends we offer Hay
Rides that take you to the
trees and bring you and
your tree back again. (We
have saws) Enjoy the
concession and a Bon Fire
to follow. We will also be
re-opening our winery -
Privato Vineyard and
Winery for the Christmas
season. The tasting room
will be open daily as well
until 4 pm. Come and taste
what we are so proud to
offer to Kamloops,
purchase your Christmas
wine for the holiday season
and or as gifts for that hard
to buy for person right here
at Privato Vineyard and
Winery.
We also have tree lots at
the two Safeway Stores
where we bring freshly cut
trees from the farm daily.
Safeway is open daily
beginning December 2nd
from 10 until 6 pm except
Sunday when we are open
11-5.
For you early birds!!! You
are welcome to come prior
to November 26th just call
ahead to ensure someone is
here!!!
Info from:
https://www.facebook.com
/Woodwardchristmastrees/
Christmas Bargain
Ideas
Ladies Auxiliary Gift Shop
The Ladies Auxiliary is a
group of ladies who are
dedicated to the success of
December 1, 2016 The Kamloops Self-Advocate
7
the Seniors Community
Centre and willingly
donate their time and
energy to provide those
unique gifts that make their
shop so successful.
The Ladies Auxiliary gift
shop is located in the lobby
of Desert Gardens
Community Centre. We
have a wonderful selection
of items from knitted
scarves, homemade quilts,
hat and scarf sets. We
have items for all
occasions from Christmas,
Halloween, Easter, and any
other holiday. Many items
are made by the talented
volunteers and the prices
are well within everyone’s
means.
Gift shop hours are
Monday to Friday 10:00
a.m. To 1:30 p.m. So come
on down and take a little
peek at everything.
All ladies are welcome to
join our Auxiliary and
experience the warm
generous spirit of our
group.
Please call Desert Gardens
for more information at
250-372-5110.
(Proceeds from sales are
donated to Desert Gardens
Seniors Community
Centre)
Info from:
http://desertgardens.ca/ladi
es-auxiliary-gift-shop/
Coming Soon –
Recognition Page
Do you know someone
who deserves to be
recognized for what they
are doing to raise
awareness and create a
positive community for
all? It could be a support
worker, family member, or
an individual with a
diverse ability who is:
- supporting others to
achieve their goals
- promoting the
abilities of others
- breaking down
barriers and raising
awareness about
- encouraging
advocacy and/or
inclusion
- willing to go above
and beyond the call
of duty
The Kamloops Self-
Advocate would like to
showcase all of the good
work that people do every
day to help people
overcome barriers and be
successful.
Please submit your stories
and let people know about
this new recognition page
so they can either talk
about a self-advocate or a
support person. You can
send your story to
thekamloopsselfadvocate@
yahoo.com
Moving into a
Homeshare Part 2
By Ben
In October, I moved into
my new home. It took
some time to get used to
the new place and my new
bus route. It has only been
a couple of months, but
now I am feeling settled.
My home share experience
came to life in front of my
very eyes. I feel right at
home. I have a new and
different routine. I have
been exercising lots and
working at getting fit.
It is exciting to be your
own boss. This has been a
really fun experience. The
best thing about it is that
you get to connect with
different people outside of
your regular family. You
get to know how they live
and get to decide how you
want to live.
Sometimes I miss being
with my family, including
my dog, but I’m getting
used to it and I still go for
visits. I would definitely
recommend homeshare to
others.
Events
Dec 7th
- Book snowman
adults craft night@ North
Kamloops library- 7-
8:30pm, must register.
December 1, 2016 The Kamloops Self-Advocate
8
Community Living BC (CLBC) is a provincial crown
agency, mandated under the Community Living Authority
Act, that funds supports and services through service
agencies for adults with developmental disabilities and their
families in British Columbia. CLBC is working to create
communities where people with developmental disabilities
have more choices about how they live, work and contribute.
#45 – 450 Lansdowne Street,
Kamloops, B.C. V2C 1Y3
Telephone: 250-377-4444
Toll Free: 1-877-377-4433
Place your ad here – contact us for rate
information:
thekamloopsselfadvocate@yahoo.com
This newsletter is brought to you by the amazing and ongoing support of our great advertisers!
Dec 10th
– 11th
Christmas
with the Kamloops
Symphony Orchestra @
Sagebrush Theatre
Dec 15th
- CPR Holiday
Train at 5pm.
Dec 16 – 18th
, Santa's
Alpine Visit &
Spectacular Holiday Kick
Off @ Sun Peaks Resort
Dec 24th
- Breakfast with
Santa @ Sun Peaks Resort
Dec 31st - New Year's Eve
Celebrations @ Sun Peaks
Resort
Dec 9th
– Jan 2nd
,
Wildlights @ BC Wildlife
Park
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