Kenora Association For Community Living 501 Eighth Ave. S. Kenora, Ontario, P9N 3Z9 Tel. (807) 467-5225  www.kacl.ca On-line Newsletter June 2006

Opportunities and Action

In the 1960s, the province of Ontario had 16 residential institutions for 6,000 people with a developmental disability and few community-based supports that would enable individuals with a developmental disability to live in their communities. Today, only three of the province's original 16 residential institutions for adults with a developmental disability remain. By spring 2009, Ontario will have completed the move from an institution-based service system for adults with a developmental disability to a community-based system. Their support needs and service expectations continue to evolve.

The Ontario government continues to plan for that evolution. As part of its commitment to build a more inclusive province, the government is working with individuals with a developmental disability, families, and community organizations to build the foundation for the next generation of services for people with a developmental disability. The province is holding public consultations so that all Ontarians can contribute to shaping the future of a fair, accessible and sustainable developmental services system for Ontario. The people who provide those supports and services – families, communities and government – must find a way to respond so that the developmental services system is strong, forward-looking and sustainable for the future.

KACL is holding a forum on June 20th at 7.P.M at the Resource Training Center on Ninth Ave S. to hear what families want to pass on in these consultations. Further individuals can contribute directly by letter, email or online. The online address form may be found at http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/CFCS/en/programs/SCS/DevelopmentalServices/Transformation/Consultation/form.htm and the documents that the Ministry of Community and Social Services are distributing may be found at http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/CFCS/en/programs/SCS/DevelopmentalServices/Transformation/consultation.htm KACL urges all famlies to communicate with the Ministry directly through this site or by letter.

KACL Annual Meeting

The Annual meeting of the Kenora Association for Community Living has been scheduled for Thursday June 8 2006 at 7.P.M. Featured at this meeting will be a presentation of the new orientation towards inclusive recreation supports, including two new "programs" called "Fitness Friends" and "Community Wellness Program". This program grew out of a new orientation among Community Living Associations called the Citizenship agenda.Memberships will be sold at the door for straglers who still have not paid their 2006-7 membership and new members. Why not invite a friend.

Russell Wins Presidency

On Friday after a very serious campaign for the Presidency Russell havil recaptured the Presidency of People First. Russell has been a long time advocate for persons with intellectual disabilites. Durring the past year he has been particularly involved in the campaign for inproved and equitable Ontario Disability Support Program pension benefits and for the closure of institutions. He has represented Self advocates on the Ontario Community Living self-avocacy council in previous years.

Keewatin School Hot Lunch Program

Karen: Where do you work?

Patrick Beal: Keewatin School

Karen: Where is your job located?

Patrick: Keewatin

Karen: What do you do there?

Patrick: Steak sandwich, cut carrots, milk in cup and see children (Patrick makes lunches for approximately 25 students. The menu changes weekly and includes a variety of food choices such as grilled cheese, rotini with meat sauce, chicken fajitas, soup and bun and fresh fruit or vegetables. Patrick washes and cuts fruit and vegetables, prepare the main food, pour milk into glasses, serve the children and clean up the kitchen.)

Karen: How often do you work?

Patrick: Tuesdays not Thursday. (Patrick works at the school every Tuesday from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. September - June.)

Karen: Do you enjoy working at Keewatin School?

Patrick: Nods his head yes.

Karen: How long have you been working at Keewatin School?

Patrick: Shook head – not sure. (Patrick started at Keewatin School in the fall of 2005.)

Karen: What is your favorite part about the job?

Patrick: Away from people.

Karen: Is there something you don’t like about your job?

Patrick: No

A Flash from the Past- 30th Anniversary of Opening of Charlie McLeod Manor

The above newspaper clipping captures the opening of Charlie McLeod Manor, a crucial pivotal point in the history of the Kenora Association for Community Living. Participants at the official opening which took place at 3.P.M. on August 21 1975 include left to right, Hon. Leo Bernier then Minister of Natural Resources, Reeve Joe Garrow, Rev H. Wilker, Charlie Strachan, Mayor William, Tomashowski, Marie Yakewski, Sally Fox, and Lloyd Girman.

This residence replaced the St Mary's Home that had been oppened from February 1974 and closed in July 6 1975 when remaining residents from the St Mary's Home moved in to their new residence. A painting by a local artist, Carl Ray, appropriately entitled "The Family", was presented by the Artist. It still hangs in the building, now the Central Offices of the Association

Reflections on Peace

The word 'peace' comes from the latin word 'pactum' which means 'agreement'. Agreement may be with self, as in "at peace with oneself", "a state of traquility", "freedom from fear" or "peace of mind". or with others as in "harmony in personal relations" or "freedom from hostilities"

One can never be at peace until one is at peace with him or herself. One of my old favourite Hymns begins and ends with the line "Let There Be Peace on Earth and let it begin with me." A person who is at peace with him or her self can handel almost thing including any level of stress. Hence peace begins with the "me".

Consider the factors which contribute with not being at peace with yourself: Conflict with Consciences, that you lack courage or other virtues...Non-acceptance of self as worthy(Low Self-Esteem, perfectionism, fear of self (Anger). Possibly the number one factor is toxic shame.

Shame, Guilt and Anxiety

John Bradshaw in his book Healing the Shame That Binds you talks about two forms of shame: nourishing shame and toxic shame. The first type is a healthy emotion that drives us to conduct ourselves in ways suitable to our humanity. The second type takes over our identity, divides ourselves in to broken pieces which we see as flawed and divides oureselves from pothers. We must cover up the parts that we don't like and hence we cease to see ourselves as basically what we are: human. We are not able to love others because we are not able first to love ourselves.

The solution according to John Bradshaw is what he calls the externalization process. To heal our toxic shame we must come out of hiding, we must embrace our shame. This can be a painful process. Honestly sharing our feelings with others. Naming our shame in writing. Embracing the parts of ourselves that we don't like and integrating them as part of the whole. Learning how to handel mistakes and having the courage to be imperfect.

Empathy

Empathy is defined by Mary Gordon in her book Roots of Empathy as the the ability to identify and respond appropriately with and to the feelings and perspectives of others. The Roots of Empathy program that uses infants to teaches empathy. It is alwsys the weak, the vunerable and defenseless that lead the world to what peace and harmony that does exist in the world