LiveWorkPlay News JULY 2010 (Archived)

IN THIS ISSUE…

REMBERING BARBARA BECKETT
GOLF TOURNAMENT AUGUST 31!
YOUTH MEMBERS RETURN FROM BIG APPLE
BLUESFEST TO COTTAGE TO BACK YARD
BUZZING DOWN THE RACETRACK
STAFF RETREAT: FOCUS ON THE R WORD
CONGRATULATING LEADERS NEAR & FAR
EMPLOYMENT NEWS: WE’RE WORKING ON IT!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

REMEMBERING BARBARA BECKETT

Barbara Beckett and her family members have been fixtures at LiveWorkPlay events for the past decade, ever since her son Chris Jones started out as a youth member back in the late 90s. Please click here to view her complete obituary.

Barb passed away peacefully on July 2 at the Ottawa General Hospital. At her memorial service on July 17 hundreds of friends, family, and colleagues listened, laughed, and cried remembering her many relationships and passions, ranging from science to athletics. Her passing has inspired many family members to have important conversations with LiveWorkPlay about the future, and this in turn influenced discussions at the recent staff retreat (see story below).

GOLF TOURNAMENT AUGUST 31!

It’s time to get your team together for a favourite LiveWorkPlay tradition, the annual golf tournament at Clublink Greyhawk! Spearheaded once again by Jack Murphy, a goal for this year is to increase event sponsorships. But none of that will matter if we don’t have golfers, so please don’t delay, register today (online or hard copy).

The registration is very simple this year, $150 per person and no fussing around! You will receive 18 holes of golf, power cart, and a delicious banquet dinner with a chance to win one of many fabulous prizes. August 31 will come up quickly, so please get your team together and sign up as soon as you can.

YOUTH MEMBERS RETURN FROM BIG APPLE

Oh what a night! Or should we say three nights? It was the first ever LiveWorkPlay youth member trip to the United States, so why not New York City? 13 youth were supported by 3 staff members to enjoy broadway shows, tours by land and water, shopping, and more!

Travelling by subway offered very efficient transportation from the HI New York Hostel to Times Square, the area where the group spent most of their time. They explored the Top of the Rock (a great way to view the city from the top of Rockefeller Centre), saw two Broadway shows (Jersey Boys and Rock of Ages), and shopped the M&M store!

One of the biggest challenges of the trip was learning not to be too polite – it is impossible to get on the subway if you don’t push your way in! After a few days of practice, everyone was on and off like a pro.

There was also lots of great eats, everything from street vendor hot dogs to some fine dining. Ellen’s Stardust Diner did not disappoint with the amazing singing servers! The The service and food at Trattoria Trecolori was unbelievably good, and received a unanimous two-thumbs up!

You can see photos from each day of the trip or enjoy a fun video montage of the entire journey where you will get everyone’s answer to the question “What did you like best?”

BLUESFEST TO COTTAGE TO BACK YARD

It was a very active July for our adult members and the LiveWorkPlay volunteer team. There was a good mix of both out to enjoy Bluesfest and Great Big Sea!

Chris Jones enjoyed a housewarming party. His new place has a back yard pool that made for lots of great summer fun. David Keay and Constance Hudak opened their cottage to LiveWorkPlay again this year, and it was another beautiful day for BBQ and a swim!

The volunteer team has continued to grow over the summer, and new matches have meant that LiveWorkPlay members are exploring all sorts of hobbies and activites with someone else who shares the same interests. For whatever reason, July has seen a flood of interest in people wanting to share fitness activities!

For more about the volunteer team (including the 100 volutneers in 6 minutes video tribute) visit the volunteer page on the LiveWorkPlay website.

BUZZING DOWN THE RACETRACK

It’s not an internet hoax! You may have heard on Twitter from @GetBuzzed that the LiveWorkPlay bee is roaring down racetracks across Ontario, and it’s true! The #58 Honda Civic of Andrew Bearss is adorned with a beautiful LiveWorkPlay logo on the hood, and he’s leading in the GT-4 challenge series!

Through Dow Honda, Andrew is an employment partner who offered on his own initiative to promote LiveWorkPlay on his race car. He has had all sorts of people coming up to ask about LiveWorkPlay and generated all sorts of new traffic to our website!

STAFF RETREAT FOCUS ON THE “R WORD”

This year’s three-day staff retreat featured the biggest team ever. They shared a cabin in Chelsea and worked day and night, stopping only for meals and a foosball tournament.

On the first day the staff reviewed positions of the Canadian Association for Community Living, Community Living Otnario, and People First of Canada about employment, housing, decision-making, and income security.

On day two they reviewed and discussed information from Al Condeluci, Dave Hingsburger, and other resources about how to build capacity, and how a system that has a focus on “difference” creates and supports barriers to inclusion. What is needed is a focus on commonalities, which promotes the building of professional and social networks that all citizens require to be successful in their community.

Much of the discussion hinged on the “R Word” – yes, RECIPROCITY! Far too many people with intellectual disabilities live in isolation or with networks that are limited to a few family members (or none at all) and people who are paid to be a part of their lives. This makes it difficult to realize many life goals. Everything from employment to friendships requires the understanding and enjoyment of reciprocity: “Mutual dependence, action, and influence.”

Day three was all about figuring out how LiveWorkPlay can continue to progress in breaking down barriers, building a more inclusive community, and promoting reciprocal relationships. A tentative schedule for the year was also created, and it will be released at the Welcome Back Family Feast on September 2. Of special note, LiveWorkPlay will be hosting Dr. Al Condeluci on Saturday, November 20 for a workshop on capacity-building for people with intellectual disabilities. Don’t miss it!

CONGRATULATING LEADERS NEAR & FAR

LiveWorkPlay congratulates Dr. Gordon Porter on being named to the Order of Canada. Dr. Porter has been a stalwart supporter of inclusive education in New Brunswick and is recognized internationally for his work. He has consulted and taught on inclusive education in over a dozen countries in addition to Canada and the United States.

“This is such a well-deserved honour, recognizing Dr. Porter’s local-to-global leadership for inclusive education – from its earliest beginnings to its recognition as a right in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities,” says Michael Bach, executive vice president of the Canadian Association for Community Living.

Although he has not yet been recognized with his own Order of Canada, Dr. Dick Sobsey is certainly deserving. A renowned author, academic, and activist, Dr. Sobsey recently announced his retirement. His research and teaching interests have included the relationship between violence and disability, the changes in families that occur as a result of having a child with a significant disability (focusing on positive changes), ethical and human right issues, and identifying best practices in community and educational inclusion for children with disabilities.

Closer to home, it’s now official, LiveWorkPlay Board Member Dan Patton is now Constable Dan Patton. Dan recently completed his training and is now a member of the Ottawa Police, proving that age 40 is not too late for making a childhood dream a reality!

EMPLOYMENT NEWS: WE’RE WORKING ON IT!

There was lots of good news in July. Many members got great reviews from their employers, expanded their hours, and in some cases, got a new job!

As one example, we congratulate Ryan Nevitt (right) on his new position at Home Depot. He completed the interview process, did the training, and got the job!

LiveWorkPlay is always working on relationships with employers, and some exciting news about a development with one ouf our existing partners is expected in August.

YOUR SUPPORT APPRECIATED

If you would like to make a donation to LiveWorkPlay, please click here to donate online or use our new PDF donation form, which now has options for credit card and pre-authorized withdrawals. You may also specify how you would like your donation to be used.

We hope you have enjoyed this 44th edition of the LiveWorkPlay Blog. If you have received an email about this blog in error and/or you would prefer not to receive future LiveWorkPlay blog messages, simply click here and follow the simple instructions. Click here for the web page that can be used by newcomers who would like to receive LiveWorkPlay Blog email notifications. You can also subscribe using Networked Blogs. Please invite your friends, colleagues, and family members to subscribe. Send story ideas to Keenan Wellar