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SPIRIT NEWSLETTER - May 1998

Chairperson's Message

It seems like only yesterday that I wrote a message for our last newsletter. In actual fact, though, it must have been before Christmas. By the time you read this, Easter will have come and gone. I hope you had a Happy Easter and I hope you got a nice long weekend out of it!

Time just seems to fly by these days! One of the reasons that it is flying by so quickly for me is that I have been working since early December. I am enjoying my job at the Independent Living Centre of Waterloo Region but since I started working I have had less time to devote to K-W Access-Ability. Nevertheless, the agency continues to function and the Board continues to meet every month.

When we look back at the difficulties we have had to face because of government cutbacks, etc., we can be proud that we have all survived. We all still have (I hope!) a roof over our heads, clothes on our backs, and food on our tables. Most importantly, though, is that we are all still alive and, in spite of our problems, doing well. The agency continues to thrive as well. As always, I must thank our very dedicated staff members for all the energy they put into their work. No matter what problems arise, they always find solutions. It is their optimism and hard work that keeps the agency going and gives us, its members, hope.

I think that spring has finally arrived! The weather is getting warmer (didn't you just love that "heat wave" we had recently?!) and we have now switched to Daylight Savings Time so the evenings will be longer. I can see buds on the trees and I hear birds singing when I wake up in the morning. Soon the flowers will be

blooming too. To me, these signs of nature represent a renewal of life, energy, and hope. With winter and all its hassles more or less behind us, we can focus on more positive things. I am sure that most of you will agree that winter can be a difficult time to stay positive. It is cold, dark, and hard to get around in that white stuff they call snow. Spring is a time to get out there, get involved and, above all, have fun!

Joyce Nieuwesteeg
Chairperson

A SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL OUR VOLUNTEERS

National Volunteer Week, April 19-25 has come and gone. It is a week set aside to give thanks to volunteers. While we want to thank all our many loyal volunteers, we want you to know that you have our thanks and appreciation, not only during this week, but every day of the year. Our programmes could not happen without you.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED to work on SIDD (Services Information Database for People with Disabilities) data base for the Waterloo Region. This information will be added to the Ontario Federation for Cerebral Palsy's provincial data base. Tasks include information gathering and data entry. Training provided. Knowledge of services for people with disabilities is an asset. Call 885-6640.

Executive Director's Address

As I sit down to the computer to write this, I have grave concerns regarding transportation services for people with physical disabilities in Kitchener-Waterloo. Since 1996 rides available to customers of Project Lift have decreased thirty percent because of cuts in government funding and restraints. We must become proactive. K-W Access-Ability is looking for people who are interested in advocating to save our transportation service.

In mid April the Agency had a booth at ACCESS 98. Once again, the Independent Living Centre of Waterloo Region is to be congratulated for hosting a great event! I, particularly enjoy these shows, as it gives me the opportunity to meet and talk to everyone I've been meaning to contact for some time. And suddenly, there they are, under one roof!

I would like to thank all of our programme volunteers and Board members for their support and dedication to the Agency. You are our greatest natural resource. You are what keeps K-W Access-Ability alive!

You may have noticed that I have been somewhat preoccupied over the last couple months. I admit that "hockey" has been foremost on my mind. Team Canada is leaving K-W on May 19th for seven days to attend the Electric Wheelchair World Hockey Championships in Utrecht in the Netherlands. Ten teams from the Netherlands, Turkey, Italy, Germany and Canada will take part. Local players are Randy Barrett, Edward Faruzel, Peter Hulme and Josh Kortleve. There is also a player from Toronto and two from the Montreal area. The teams play from

the 22nd to the 24th and Team Canada returns home on the 26th, hopefully with the gold medal. Team Canada wishes to thank all its supporters for financial donations, donations in kind, as well as all the emotional and moral support.

While we have begun to do a little nation building by featuring two players from Quebec on Team Canada, I am happy that this will continue through an exchange programme with people from Montreal and people from Kitchener-Waterloo.

I would like to encourage all our members to donate or to come out to the CRA GARAGE SALE on Saturday, June 6, 1998. Proceeds go to our Agency. You will find complete details under "Upcoming Events". I also invite everyone to attend our Annual General Meeting on Thursday, June 11, 1998, 7:00 pm at the Viewing Lounge, Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex.

Finally, I am anticipating receiving a grant to once again hire four students for our Summer Programme and I am looking forward to a busy and exciting three months. The programme should start rolling the first week of June. Put on your thinking caps and let us know about your ideas for new and innovative activities and outings. I want all our members to have a voice in what takes place this summer.

- Chris B. Hodnett

IN MEMORIAM

REMEMBER ME

When death comes and takes us apart
Will we be forgotten in your heart
Will you remember me for what I said
And all the things that you and I did
Will you remember that first day we met
All of the happy and sad days we spent
Days filled with smiles and with tears
Good times and hardships thru the years
Will you please always remember me
When death comes and takes us apart
Will my son remember me in his heart
Will he remember me for what I said
And all the things that he and I did
I will thank God for giving me a son
To enjoy thru my life and to have fun
He was the only one, that God did give
And thru this short life we did live
Will you please always remember me
When death comes and takes us apart
Will my grandsons have me in their heart
Little Brody, Jamie, Jacob and Jessie
Not many years did we share for you see
Grandpa was sick, with a fatal disease
Not able to run and play and speak
Lou Gehrig's Disease has made me weak
But I always have kept for you all my LOVE
Will you please always remember me

Ronald Sanderson
1945 - 1998

P.H.I.R.S.T. LINK News

Greetings once again from P.H.I.R.S.T. LINK.

Spring cleaning went well again this year, and room was made for some new computer equipment and furnishings.

We now have a new colour desk jet printer in the P.H.I.R.S.T. LINK area. It is currently connected to four of our computers. Among other things the printer will facilitate the printing of coloured letterhead, photographic images, and Internet web pages. Each of our other machines can still print text to its own dot matrix printer.

New hard drives in the Gigabyte range and some additional RAM now allow for a larger and better mix of programs across our computer systems. In some cases access time will be improved. And a second CD ROM drive and sound card will increase our multi-media capability.

In response to the tutoring needs of an increasing number of our members who are buying home PC's with Windows 95 and JAWS (Job Access with Speech) screen reading software, K-W Access-Ability recently purchased both of these packages. If you need to learn JAWS for Windows 3.1, Jaws for Windows 95, or Windows 95 itself, please give us a call.

It was a pleasure to have so many of our members turn out for a show of support at our booth at Access 98. This bi-annual trade show, held at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium, lets everyone know about the latest accessibility technology and the services available in the community. This year's event was an ongoing success.

P.H.I.R.S.T. LINK has been represented at the first few organizational meetings of the local chapter of Tetra. Tetra is a registered charitable organization dedicated to assisting persons with disabilities achieve an independent and fulfilling life in the community by recruiting technically skilled volunteers to create assistive devices. If you have a request for assistance, please contact us for further information.

More and more of our members continue to express interest in designing their own web pages. If you would like to have your own place on the Internet to showcase yourself and your interests with pictures, hypertext, a resume, sound, etc., then please let us know, and we can arrange to have you in for some tutoring.

Remember, too, that P.H.I.R.S.T. LINK still has a number of free software packages available for those members who quality. (MS DOS version 5.0, MS Windows version 3.0, Lotus 1-2-3 for DOS release 2.3, and MS Word for Windows version 1.1.). To quality you must have your own computer at home, and be able to use the software yourself. Though some of these packages are obviously early releases, they may make it more economical for you to upgrade to a later version.

P.H.I.R.S.T. LINK tutor, Bonnie Rees will be away over the summer to spend some time with her family and some of our members will be involved in the annual summer program as well. Please be sure and let us know what your plans and schedule are so that we can arrange to have you in, or free up a spot for someone else. In the meantime, best wishes to all, and have a great summer.

-Ronald Fleming

WHO'S NEWS

K-W Access-Ability's Electric Wheelchair Hockey Team was once again victorious over CRA. The annual duel took place on Saturday, April 4th, on ice, at Albert McCormick Arena. Our guys controlled the play, as well as the shots on goal but the first half went scoreless, mainly because of the questionable use of hands (and feet) by CRA goalie, Frank Rovers. Meanwhile, our team goalie, Edward Faruzel, looked pretty lonely at his end. Finally, shortly into the second half of the game, Mad Dog Parkins, on a pass from Josh Kortleve, powered his way in and scored. That's how the game ended - 1 to 0 for us.

Accessible Elegance (Aesthetics & Electrolysis) is located at New Classics Hair & Skin, 450 Erb St. W., Waterloo. Call Sherri Racicot at 885-0400.

Brenda Plummer and Colin Sweeny are getting married on July 18, 1998. We wish them much happiness in their future together.

We heard from our former volunteer, Denis Henderson, who returned to his home in Ireland last year. If you want his email address, give us a call.

Cupid strikes again! What former employee and former volunteer of K-W Access-Ability just became engaged. We hear wedding plans are under way for next summer. Congratulations and best wishes to Rita and Philip.

Personal Impressions offers special rates to people with disabilities on PERMANENT MAKEUP (eyes, lips). Consultations are complimentary. Call 744-2232. The building is wheelchair accessible.

LOOKING FOR WORK???!

...I CAN HELP...

Hi...my name is Mirela Svigac and I am the new employment support coordinator for the Independent Living Centre of Waterloo Region, for the program, "Navigating the Waters".

Navigating the Waters is a national employment initiative offered to the Canadian Association of Independent Living Centres, with the objective of reducing unemployment for Canadians with disabilities. Over the next few months, my goal is to help individuals gain attachment to the labour force through apprenticeship programs, volunteer skills development, contracts, part and full time employment. Presently, I am developing my consumer base and hope to start contacting employers in the near future... so if you are interested in employment options, please give me a call!

A little about myself...In the past, I have coordinated and helped to implement a summer employment experience for disadvantaged youth, which I found both challenging and rewarding. At Lutherwood Youth Employment Centre, I assisted individuals in finding affordable housing within the city. My passion for advocate work led me to assist a worker advisor at the Ministry of Labour. In this capacity, I assisted injured workers by providing individual support and research for informal hearings.

....so stop by the ILC and come see me...I can be reached by contacting the Centre at 894-8350.

We are still accepting Zehrs receipts and the contest is still on. If you are already donating your Zehrs tapes, please continue bringing them into the office. If you haven't started bringing in your tapes yet, join the fun and start saving them for the agency If each person would donate their own tapes and find 2 other people to save their tapes for us, we could really raise some money. We need your help to do this though.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Mark your calendars! K-W Access-Ability and the Ontario March of Dimes present a SPRING TUNE-UP FOR YOUR WHEELS to take place at Waterloo Town Square on Monday, June 1, 1998 from 9 to 5 pm. Free maintenance inspection by experienced Doncaster Home Health Care Centre staff, minor repairs (parts not included) and funding consultation for electric or manual wheelchairs and scooters. For further information & to make an appointment, call Kathryn at 885-6640.

People in Motion '98 takes place June 5th & 6th at the Queen Elizabeth Building, Exhibition Place, Toronto. This is Canada's premier event for persons with disabilities, health care and rehabilitation professionals and seniors with special needs. Attendant care available. Free admission for everyone!

CONESTOGA ROVERS & ASSOCIATES YARD SALE, Saturday, June 6, 1998, 8:00 am - 1:00 pm. There will be a charity table and bake table as usual at the Sale's excellent location (Colby Parking Lot). Because of CRA's aggressive marketing and promotional staff, previous year's proceeds for the charity of choice was significant, and we anticipate similar outcomes this year. This year's charity of choice is once again K-W Access-Ability. Donations of any sort that the Social Committee can sell, with proceeds going to K-W Access-Ability, would be greatly appreciated. Call Dave Ostrander, 884-0510, ext.3446 or Sue Reid, 884-0510, ext. 2212 to arrange pick-up or drop off. They would request that items of questionable value (ie. old mattresses) are not brought to the sale, as they are unlikely to be able to sell them and must send many leftovers to the landfill. Patti Maddick will also be canvassing for baked goods of any variety. We would be grateful for your help in this endeavour as well. Dave Ostrander and friends will again be firing up the barbecues, so support this effort ny purchasing a sausage or hot dog. You won't be disappointed!

Thursday, June 11, 1998 Plan to attend K-W Access-Ability's ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING. The location is the Viewing Lounge, Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex. The meeting starts at 7:00 pm. Everyone welcome. Come and meet the Summer Programme staff for 1998.

POETRY CORNER

COMFORT ZONE

I used to have a comfort zone where I knew I couldn't fail.
The same four walls and busy work were really more like jail.
I longed, so much, to do the things I'd never done before;
But I stayed inside my comfort zone
and paced the same old floor.
I said it didn't matter that I wasn't doing much.
I said I didn't care for things like diamonds, cars and such.
I claimed to be so busy with the things inside the zone;
But deep inside I longed for some victory of my own.
I couldn't let my life go by just watching others win!
I held my breath and stepped outside to let the change begin!
I took a step, and with new strength I'd never felt before,
I kissed my comfort zone good-bye and closed and locked the door.
If you are in a comfort zone afraid to venture out,
Remember that all winners at one time were filled with doubt.
A step or two and words of praise can make your dreams come true.
Greet your future with a smile; success is there for you!

- Submitted by Joyce Nieuwesteeg

OUR STAFF

Bookkeeper - Wayne Kaiser

Executive Director - Chris Hodnett

P.H.I.R.S.T. LINK Manager - Ronald Fleming

P.H.I.R.S.T. LINK Tutor - Bonnie Rees

Recreation Worker - Brad Schlonies

Resource Information Person - Kathryn Cowan

Waterloo Town Square, Lower Level

75 King Street South

Waterloo, Ontario N2J 1P2

519-885-6640 Voice

519-885-4526 TTY, 519-885-4526 Fax

KWAA @ KWA.ON.CA

HOURS: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday 9-5, Wednesday 9-9

NOMINATIONS FOR THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF K-W ACCESS-ABILITY 1998 - 1999

Nominations are now being accepted for the Board of Directors of K-W Access-Ability. If you wish to serve on the Board or wish to nominate someone for the Board, please fill out the nomination form below. All nominations must be submitted in writing and must be received at our office no later than Monday, June 8, 1998 at 5:00 pm. No nominations will be accepted after this time nor during the Annual General Meeting.

This form should be returned to:

K-W Access-Ability

Waterloo Town Square, Concourse #7

75 King Street South

Waterloo, Ontario N2J 1P2

................................................................................................................................................ I __________________________________________ (name)

________________________________________ (address)

__________________________________________ (phone #)

wish to nominate:

______________________________________ (name)

______________________________________ (address) __________________________________________ (phone #)

to the Board of Directors of K-W Access-Ability

This nomination is seconded by:

________________________________________ (name)

__________________________________________ (address)

__________________________________________ (phone #)

Nominations must be made and seconded by members of K-W Access-Ability. Each nomination form should be accompanied by a short biography of the nominee.

** Nominee should be in attendance at the Annual General Meeting, Thursday, June 11, 1998, 7:30 pm in the Viewing Lounge, Kitchener Memorial Auditorium.

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