cpabc roundtable fall 2007

7/28/2019 CPABC Roundtable Fall 2007

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wordsfrom the

presidentMerry Christmas and/or Happy Holidays!

As I sit here and write this, I am noticing thefollowing: The leaves are mostly off the trees,the temperature outside has become cold, theheavier coats have come out of the closet, theghosts and goblins have gone back in hiding foranother year and we have honoured and saidthank-you to those who have fought for ourgreat nation, Canada. All this tells me one thing.Christmas is just around the corner!

As most of you know Duncan Wyeth was thekeynote speaker at our 2007 AGM. Duncan

hails from Holt, Michigan and is the ExecutiveDirector for the Michigan Commission onDisability. He is also the Vice-Chair for theUnited Cerebral Palsys (UCP) National Board ofTrustees. Some of the things that I heard fromhis presentation were:

- He does not have a challenge speaking hespeaks with a cerebral palsy accent- Being born with CP was a great career movefor him (that rings true for me)- Visitability is becoming a higher priority to be

able to visit the homes of family and friends

- Michigan State law requires all new single-family residential housing to have the primaryentrance and hallways on the ground floorwide enough for a wheelchair and there mustbe a washroom also on the ground floor- He experiences gravity moments and notdisability moments times when he trips andfalls to dropping and knocking things over

Clearly, Duncan was a great hit and our

members asked him some great questions afterhis presentation. This gives us just a little flavorfor what UCP has to offer us as we become aninternational affiliate.

Our Board of Directors continues to moveforward with CPABCs long range strategicplan. We have identified the following prioritiesto focus our time and energies:

- Build on Knowledge stay current onresearch, medical and technology that impact

people with cerebral palsy

- Ensure that our lending library stays current balance this with the fact that most informationcan now be found online via the internet- Communication is to remain a top priority hire additional staff who specialize in publicrelations and related competences. Our Round-table (Newsletter) will continue to be offeredquarterly with a new look

- Increase funding to our Education Bursary

Fund - offer more money to more students with CP

- Acquire the necessary technology and eqment needed to make these priorities achable- Additional resources to continue with pursadvocacy initiatives this could include eslishing support groups for our members

The above noted priorities will require substial funding to have them become reality. Tthe Board hired Jim Watson as a fundra

consultant for three months, beginning 20th/2007, to develop the plan of actiomake this happen. With Jims help, we assigned a dollar amount to each of priorities to give us a goal of $350,000. Clethis is a fairly tall order and yet, I know thais achievable. It is my personal hope that weexceed the $350,000 target. This will happen overnight and that is okay. Thwhere you come in as members. We encouyou to make a donation. Maybe even a laamount than your usual contribution. Con

a commitment to making regular moncontributions. Every dollar every cent wius closer to reaching our goals. What cancontribute?

I, on behalf of the CPABCs Board of Direcwould like to wish you and your family albest during the holiday season. Stay safehave a Happy New Year.

Your President,Craig Langston

inside this

issue

C e r e b r a l P a l s y A s s o c i a t i o n o f B r i t i s h C o l u m b i a f a l l 2 0 0the

parentsgeneral interest

leisureregional

education


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Kneepads was inspired bymydaughters inpainful attempts at crawling over common hohold surfaces. Finally, a stylish, soft and comable solution to scrapes, scratches and bruisebabys/toddlers knees. Pavement, hardw

ceramic, concrete, playgrounds, Bring It On!Simply slide Wee-Knees over childs knees watch themexplore their world in comfort.

Since its inception, Wee-Knees has recenumerous Special Requests for special nechildren, with Cerebral Palsy, Club FHaemophelia, wheel chair bound and DowSyndrome. The larger Not So Wee-knees hbeen invaluable and fantastic for this spgroup, as theyfit up to at least 4 years of age.larger size is not available in all stores, but ca

specificallyordered through contacting us direThe larger sizes are available in Pink, BabyBBrown and Camoflouge. Wee-Knees are 10Canadian made, machine washable, and Mad3mmNeoprene pads and softex spandex, wfits comfortablyaround the knees.

For more information, please contact [email protected] or contact us at 604.957.3

LOOK MOM NO MORE

OUCH!!!

Study: Children With Cerebral PalsyAre As HappyAs Other ChildrenByDave Reynolds, Inclusion DailyExpressune 29, 2007

NEWCASTLE, ENGLAND--Children with cerebralpalsyhave the same qualityof life and are just ashappyas other children.

That's the conclusion of a studydone byresearch-ers at the Universityof Newcastle and publishedthis week in The Lancet.The studymaybe the first to ask the childrenthemselves about their own lives.Comparing their answers in ten categories withthose of children without cerebral palsyled theresearchers to determine that there is virtuallynodifference in their scores.

"Parents can be upset when their child isdiagnosed with cerebral palsy, but theycan now

be reassured that most children with cerebralpalsyexperience similar qualityof life to that ofother children their age," said the study's leadresearcher Professor Allan Colver.Disability advocates responded to the study,saying it shows that more must be done to fullynclude children with cerebral palsyinto generalsociety.

Study onQuality of Life

for childrenwith CP

This group for parents and youth transitioninadulthood takes place on the first Wednesdeverymonth from6:30 8:30pmat Pacific CommunityHealth Centre, 2110 West 43rd West Boulevard). We will have guest speakethe following topics: employment, VancoSchool Board, families as employers, taxationbasics of PWD, housing, and more. For information drop in or call Rachelle at 604-78774.

Accessible PlaygroundFundingMcMillan CommunityFoundations of Canada Lets Play is a new programto contribute to theconstruction and renovation of accessible playspaces in British Columbia. Lets Play offersgrants for the creation of and renovation ofaccessible, public playspaces for children ages 0-6n BC. Grants of up to $50,000 are available toaccessible playspace projects. For more informa-tion on Lets Playphone 604-709-6320 or visitwww.rickhansen.com/play

Saturdays January26th March 1st10:30 am 12 noon$85

Get your Saturdayoff to a great start bymakingmusic with your family! Come out and join Music

Therapist, KimBrame for six mornings of singing,improvisation and percussion. This programis forpersons with disabilities and their families.Parents and children attend together at theseniors activity centre at 695 21st St. West

Vancouver. Please contact KellyDiamond at 604-925-7279 or [email protected] formore information.

Family Funwith Music

Youth with Disabilitiesin Transition

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Parents

the

fall 2Cerebral Palsy Association of British Columbia


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What has CPABCbeen up to?

ByFeri Dehdar

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I have been greatlypreoccupied byachieving ahigh level of education since I was a little girl.Because I was slow in writing, I used to go straightto myroomafter I came home fromschool and domyhomework, which was oftentimes interruptedbecause I had to have myphysiotherapy. Attainingmyeducation has never been easyfor me becauseof mycerebral palsy; yet, I attribute being where Iamtodayboth to myperseverance and to myparents unfailing devotion towards me. In thispaper, I will present chronologicallysome eventsduring myschool years, coupled with mythoughtson these events.

Like everyparent who has a child with a disability,mymother wanted me to go to a regular schoolwhere regular children go. When I was six yearsold, mymother wanted to send me to a nicekindergarten, which was walking distance fromour place. But the teachers didnt want me to

attend their kindergarten because I couldnt walkand speak verywell at that time and theydid notwant to help me. After mymother fought with theteachers, I was able to attend the kindergarten.

When I went to elementaryschool in the 80s inKorea, there was no such thing as a notetaker. Ihad to write everything that the teachers werewriting on the black board and said. Sometimes Iborrowed the notebooks of some of myclassmates, and copied at home what theywrote.Some teachers told me that I did not have to do all

myassignments because of myslow writing. SinceIdid not want to be behind other children, I justignored what the teachers told me, and finishedalmost everyassignment.

My family immigrated to Canada when I justturned 18. After one and half years of ESL studies,Iattended UBC as an undergraduate student. It iswell-known that UBC is like one big city, so it wasimpossible for me to walk around campus everytime I had a different course. Luckily, at the time,the UBC patrol officers gave me rides whenever I

the

ByEsther Lee

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fall Cerebral Palsy Association of British Columbia

AchievingHigher,Tougher...

Online Training:Learn fromthe comfort of home and interacvirtual instructors and participants. The CanSociety for Social Development offers twoonline accredited courses Internet Bu

Development for Entrepreneurs with Disaband Business Abilities business planningadvanced business management course online coaching. The latters tuition costcovered but course materials are not. For information on eligibilityfor enrollment phonRyan at 250-825-9433 or visit www.web.org and click on PowerPoint slideshow

Free AccreditedCourses

Reduce Frustration and Solve Unique DreProblemsA Dressing Needs: Disable Services Clotbelieves that dailydressing routines can be easier with clothing speciallydesigned or awith your unique needs in mind. Find that sshirt in the store but cant handle the butNeed something warmand thick for the wbut find most standard items bunch up betyour back and rest support? Give A DreNeeds: Disable Services Clothing a toll free

1-800-817-4365 and discuss your sdressing needs. Check out their webswww.disabledservicesclothing.comto viewline of stylish adapted clothing. This BC comships nationwide, accepts all major credit and uses Paypal.

People of BCAdaptive Clothing

time I had a different course. Luckily, at the time,the UBC patrol officers gave me rides whenever Ineeded to go to classes. But sometimes theycouldnot come to me when theyhad other priorities,such as dealing with emergencies. Hence, I missed

manyclasses and studied in mydormwith notesfromsome of myclassmates. Two years later afterI received myB.A., I went to UBC law school.

The first week of law school, I was overwhelmedbythe highly competitive, chilling environment.

Time is precious for most law students. One of thebest ways to survive law school is to get as muchinformation as possible. This is helpful for theirstudies and future careers.

For example, law students meet lawyer-mentors,attend group meetings and student clubs, joinsocial nextworks and observe the law courts. Dueto lack of physical stamina and physicallybeingbounded, just doing studies consumed most of mytime. Hence, I asked an advisor at the UBCDisability Resource Centre for one law studentwho could help me for a couple of hours per weekor every other week. The advisor rejected myrequest, saying that we cannot provide you withanyhelp froma law student because you have tobe on equal footing with other law students. Icould not believe what I heard. How can I be equalto others when I am in an already unequalposition? The Associate Dean of the law school

had the same opinion as the advisor did.I was left on myown. Yet, I did not give up justbecause these ignorant people did not willinglytryto understand and acknowledge how adverselymydisabilityimpacts mystudies, mylife and mywhole being. I myself found some nice friends inmyclasses and asked for some help. Among themis one verykind girl named Jaime Ashby. Althoughshe was busyherself studying, she helped me inways others could not and did not. Regardless ofwhat other people thought about me, and regard-less of what theydid or did not do to or for me, I

succeeded in graduating fromlaw school this pastyear 2006. I was the first female student withcerebral palsyto complete a law degree in BritishColumbia.

Coming this far, I have experienced various kindsof negative attitudes towards me because of mydisability. I have found no equalityand equityatthe law school where, ironically, theyteach youhow to defend people in unequal positions and tofight for justice and equityfor them. It is lamen-table that some educators/teachers hold adverse

eneral Interest

Board Member

views towards people with disabilities giventheyshould be the ones who repeal the neism and defeatism by educating pacolleagues, children, and society. Regardlhave never doubted myabilityto achieve a

level of education because I believed that complete whatever I decide to pursue. I havebelieved in myself.


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Trysomething new and exciting.adapted yogafor those with physical challenges. Classes areheld at North Shore Connexions, 1095 ChurchillCrescent in North Vancouver. If you are eight orup, up, upgive Tanya a call at 604-809-1572.Set classes are Mondays 3:30-4:30 for 8 toyoung adult, 11 amto 12 noon for adults andSundays from1 pmto 2 mixed ages. Specialsessions can be arranged for you and agroup of your friends. Register now foranuaryclasses 604-809-1572.

Wheelchair Sports

Go for it!

CoquitlamLeisure Services is happyto offopportunity for recreational athletes in w

chairs to practice and play. This is an opporfor adults to get active, try new things, muscle strength, enhance existing skills and to improved cardio endurance. All abilitieages are welcome. Participants must umanual chair to participate. Come on oCentennial ActivityCentre at 570 Poirier StrCoquitlamon Wednesdays from8:30 pm pm.

For more information call 604-933-6143.

Sail awayon our 35 foot wheelchair accessibledaycruiser, Tincomali. Skippered bya certifiedguide this cruiser is readyto take you on a cruisehrough the beautiful waters of Samson Narrowsand beyond. Both the pilot house and the sterndeck are accessible to wheelchairs so passengerscan be comfortable in anyweather. Downriggersare standard fare but, on request, our guide canprovide fishing gear, and prawn or crab traps.Berthed at IvyGreen Marina in Ladysmith, at a

wheelchair accessible dock, the Tincomali isavailable for your next charter or fishing trip.

On request we will tryto combine small groups ofpeople to fill the boat and make the outing moreaffordable. Maximumof six passengers. Fishersmust provide their own licences.

$600 a dayfor five hours of fishing, longer tripscan be arranged.

Call Chris Loscerbo at 250-246-9971 or

Email [email protected] Wheelchair FriendlyServices

WheelchairAccessible

Boat

Yoga in the New Year!

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Leisure

Get InvolvedFun and Fitness for all

The integrated Fitness Society(InterFit) is hard atwork improving fitness and recreation opportuni-ties for people with disabilities. How does aSnow-Limo ride on Grouse Mountain sound?Perhaps a hike at Lyne Headwaters Park in North

Vancouver using an Off Road Chair is more yourstyle. There are manyactivities available fromovernight stays in a cabin on Hollyburn Mountainto exciting kayaking adventures. To keep up-to-date on what is going on phone (604) 986-3091or leave your name and contact information [email protected]. Make this next yearyour most active one!

Play Bingo at Boardwalk Gaming CentreThursday, January 03, 2008Middlegate MallUnit 3-7155 Kingsway, Burnaby

For more information visitwww.lmcharities.org

Support theCPABC!


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Member to Member will be a regular feature of

The Roundtable wheremembers fromaround the province will have achance to share with one another.Send in your:

Personal experiencesQuestions or concernsRegional issues or problemsInformation about accessible programs in yourarea

Get those creative juices flowing. Our Spring-board Idea of the month is: Accessible holidaydestinations that you would recommend and why.

Looking forward to hearing fromyou.

Mail in your ideas to: CPABC, 801-409 GranvilleStreet, Vancouver, BC V6C 1T2 or email [email protected].

Accessible and Readyto Assist YouVictoria, BC

Victorias Crystal Pool and Fitness Center offerswheelchair accessibilityto its weight room, fitnesscenter and pool. Manyof their fitness staff haveexperience working with people who needprogrammodifications due to physical or mentalchallenges. Recentlyan upper bodyergonomicscardio machine was purchased for people withvarying physical disabilities and unique needs.Although they do not specifically offer anyprogramfor the special needs population at this

time, things could change if enough interest wasshown. (Phone 250-361-0719)

Skatingkating Sessions Anyone?Victoria, BC

Geoff Welham, Sports Services Programmer forthe Cityof Victoria, is willing to arrange skatingsessions for the special needs population at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre. If anyone isinterested in this offer please give Geoff a call at(250) 361-0708 or email him at

[email protected] to discuss the possibility.

Crystal Pool andFitness Centre

BC Wheelchair Friendly Services is devoted toallowing handicapped persons of anycapability,to enjoyBCs beautiful, outdoors. Take up to fourof your best friends with you as you exploreVancouver Island in our 32 foot wheelchairaccessible motorhome. The motorhome comfort-ablysleeps five people. Equipped with a Ricon lift,and four foot door, this vehicle welcomes wheel-chairs. The main roomis large enough for you to

turn circles without getting up.

Hand controls allow you to do the driving. Anawning will provide comfort in hot sun or showersas you enjoy the magnificent scenery at yourcampsite or entertain your friends around thecamp fire. The bathroomis equipped with a Hoyerlift to help you in and out of the shower or onto thetoilet. You will find all the amenities you expect ina kitchen: hot and cold running water, a refrigera-tor and stove, and exhaust fan.

The private bedroomincludes a Hoyer lift transfers froma wheelchair to the bed.

Ask about our discounts for 14 dayrentals.

Rates at $175 dayfor motorhome and 50per kilometerExtras: TV and VCT $35 weekAxe to chop firewood $5 weekIf you intend to camp off the grid rent our gtor for $75 a weekCall Chris Loscerbo at 250-246-9971 orEmail [email protected]

FOR A COMPREHENSIVE LISTINGOF SENIORS HOUSING CHOICESIN BRITISH COLUMBIA

visit our websitewww.seniorshousing.bc.ca

Senior's Housing

New for 2008!

Skating

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Regional


Wheelchair AccessibleMotorhome

Recreational Vehicle


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Congratulations to DeniseSmith of Kelowna, BC,winner of a Starbucks giftcard. Thank you to everyonewho completed our newslet-ter survey. Your commentsand suggestions are greatlyappreciated and will help usin our efforts to improve TheRoundtable.

Bursaryn Summer 2007 the Cerebral PalsyAssociation ofBC was delighted to award bursaries to thefollowing individuals with CP:

Aaron James McLeodMelanie MaxwellStanleySipchenko

Theyare each provided with a $1000 bursarytoaid themwith their schooling. We had a numberof excellent candidates, and the BursaryCommit-tee had tough choices in its decision making.CPABC congratulates all the winners; we aredelighted to help young people with CP get aheadwith their lives through our BursaryProgram.

Principal Investigator: Dr. Susan CadellWilfrid Laurier University

Are you a parent/guardian caring for a child with alife-limiting illness? Would you be willing to participatein a studyof how the experience has changed yourlife?Questionnaires will be sent to you bymail and wouldtake 1-1.5 hours to complete.If you are interested contact the Research Coordinatorat 1-800-810-0721.

Study Participants Needed

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Cerebral PalsyAssociation of BC

Tanabe Bursary

Disability AwarenessLesson atChaffey-Burke School

Education

ByAaron Onstad

Ms. TammyVan der Kamp is a persevering ladywho works for CPABC (Cerebral PalsyAssociationof British Columbia). Mymother, Dianna Plourde,is Tammys personal assistant. A few month ago,mymother and Tammytogether decided that Iwould help with a disabilityawareness lesson atChaffey-Burke Elementary School as a peer-presenter. I heartilyaccepted, and so Tammy, mymom, and I set out towards Chaffey-Burke. Thefollowing is the account of our presentation atChaffey-Burke.

The journeyfromTammys house to the schoolwas easy, without many obstacles, despiteTammys Cerebral Palsy. First we boarded a SkyTrain, and arrived at a station that had a HandyDart stop. The HandyDart itself never actuallyarrived, but a wheelchair friendly taxicab thatworked with HandyDart picked us up instead. Theride to Chaffey-Burke was veryquick, no morethan five minutes. When we arrived at the school,

we were glad to discover that it had a wheelchairlift. What we werent glad to discover was that thewheelchair lift was broken! So, we went aroundto the back of the school where there was anentrance without stairs. Luckily, this route took usstraight to the library, which was where thepresentation was to take place.

The presentation went quite well. First weintroduced ourselves. Although I was a few yearsolder than most of the kids, theycould still relateto me well. Mymain role was to relate apples andoranges to how people are different, but also thesame. And I asked the youngest group what wasdifferent about Tammythan most of the rest of us.One answer was, shes older than us, andanother was, shes taller than us. It was all Icould do to stop myself fromlaughing out loud. Icould see the same smile on the face of Tammyand mymom. In the end, I just said, do you seeanydifferences between the chair Imsitting onand the one Ms. Van der Kamp is sitting on?

Then theyfinallyunderstood! I think its cute howyounger children do not notice differences in skincolour or abilitylevel as adults and older kids do. Iwish we were all like that! Anyway, the rest of thepresentation was Tammyand mymomeducatingthe kids on Cerebral Palsyand how it happens.

Theytalked about how it can

cause physical and cognitive impairment. Weshowed themsome of the adaptive equipm

Tammyuses to help herself do things thatcannot do on her own. We presented to tgroups of kids ages 5-11, with short breakbetween. Overall the presentation was succeand educational. For me, too; I lea

something, and had a lot of fun at the same t

Starbucks

Draw Winner


8/8

the

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Cerebral PalsyAssociation of British Col

801-409 Granville St.

Vancouver, BC V6C 1T2

Phone: 604.408.9484

Toll-Free (EnquiryCP): 1.800.663.0004

Fax: 604.408.9489

Email: [email protected]

Office Hrs: 9 AM to 5PM, Mondayto T

the


Membership fee: $20or whatever you can afford.

Donation: I would like to make a donation tosupport the services and programs of theCerebral Palsy Association of BC. Income taxreceipts are only issued for donations of $10 ormore, unless requested.

$100 $75 $50 $25

My choice:

Method of Payment: I have enclosed acheque payable to the CPABC or:

Visa #

Expiry Date

Name on Card

Todays Date

Signature

Please mail to:Cerebral Palsy Association of BC

801-409 Granville StreetVancouver, BC V6C 1T2

Charitable Registration Business Number 10690 4204 RR0001

Nowmore than ever before

your membershipwill help to

Realize equalityin a diverse society!

Become a member today!

CPABC Board Members CPABC Staf f

CRAIG LANGSTON

TRISH MCKAY

JONN OLLDYM

DON RENAUD

ESTHER J. LEE

TONY KRUSE

KENT LOFTSGARD

LIZCALDER

LESEBL

TERREANE DERRICK

President

Vice President

Treasurer

FERI DEHDAR

TAMMY VAN DER KAMP

WENDY HAWRYZKI

Director ofPrograms &

Administration

Family&IndividualSupport Worke

AdministrativeAssistant

Have you read a book that was helpful toyou as a parent of a child with CP?

Email the title and authors name to:Wendyat [email protected]

mail to:801- 409 Granville St., Vancouver, BCV6C 1T2

If you have time, please include a briedescription on what made this book meaningful to you. We will share your recommendations with our membership in our nexnewsletter. All contributors to our newslettewill be entered in a year-end draw.

Feedback and Sharing8IBUIBQQFOTUPBOJMMFHBMMZQBSLFEGSPH*UHFUTUPBEBXBZ

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cpabc roundtable fall 2007

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