Author Archive
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DDA604 Blogger News
After two and a half years of working at the Developmental Disabilities Association and managing the Communications Department, I sadly have to announce I will be leaving the Association. My last day at the Developmental Disabilities Association is this coming Friday the 17th. It has been a pleasure getting to know the people we support, their goals, dreams, and aspirations. It has been equally as rewarding getting to know the people who I have encountered throughout my journey of helping the people we support, reach their true potential. Thank you to all the friends I’ve made along the way, and I look forward to hearing from you in the future.
For openings on this job position or another, you can find a full list of jobs offered at the Developmental Disabilities Association here. To contact me in the future, you can visit my personal marketing and communications consultancy here. We hope to staff the Communications Department here at the DDA soon, and when we do, I look forward to introducing you to your next new blogger! All the best, and happy holidays!
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CLBC Group Home Closures
A few weeks ago I attended an open public forum discussing the future of residential options for people with developmental disabilities in BC. A quick glance over the sea of people present during the public forum suggests that there was well over a hundred people present, of all sorts of diverse backgrounds. Speakers were brought in for this public forum to discuss the future of people with developmental disabilities, and Community Living BC’s decision to close group homes. A brief summary of each speaker’s key points is outlined below:
Executive Director, Faith Bodnar, from BCACL was the first to speak. In her speech, she advocated for families insisting that they be included in the decision of people with developmental disabilities. She also acknowledged that the levels of services must be based on the individuals and that this process towards group home closures should take as much time as necessary. Faith was open to the option of home sharing, considering that this would be a beginning of service redesign.
Next, Jane Dyson from the BC Coalition of People with Disabilities made a powerful speech on how residents are forced out of their group homes and families are ripped apart due to CLBC’s decision. She also mentioned that CLBC did this purely to reduce costs without considering the needs of the individuals. A good point that Jane brought up included, “where will all the families come from with the skills and qualifications for the new model of care (home sharing)?” CLBC currently is advertising on Craigslist, and the risk of having Craigslist abused is not easily mitigated.
Cheryl Magnussen, a family member and a long term care aid, parent, and advocate made the next powerful speech. She recalls the day she had to sign over parental rights to CLBC for services for her child. Again, the point of each individual having their own individual needs is brought up. One service (home sharing) may work for one individual, but each individual is another case that needs individual attention.
DDA’s own Executive Director, Alanna Hendren, spoke next. She pointed out that legislation states that CLBC must only endeavor to provide services for people with developmental disabilities.
James Cavalluzzo, was next to speak, and chimes in that CLBC’s vision is very different from what the community living sector has seen. Life changing decisions are being made without the participation of the individuals the model should be supporting.
Finally, Dawn Steele of MOMS on the Move pointed out that CLBC’s model no longer appears to be a “person centered service”, but now a “budget centered service”. Most of the speakers echoed one another’s sentiments, and it was encouraging to know that other non-profits and service providers in the community living sector faced the same challenges as we do. What is to come of the future, nobody knows, but it’s a journey that we’ll have to take.
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Main Street Drop-in Poetry: Night Time Sky
For a cold winter evening like tonight, some night-time poetry from one of the people we support is always the best.
Night Time Sky
Night butterfly flew frantic
Peach tree sky, delicate diamond stars rose
Moon cat bounced onto the front porch, singing
Tractors out in the hayfield, farm hat beneath
Night chickens hatching eggs- Ken Pagani
The poetry written from the people we support is always inspiring, and are exemplary of an individual’s abilities.
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DDA’s Holiday Open House
Details
When: Thursday, December 2nd, 1pm – 6pm
Where: DDA Head Office – 100-3851 Shell Road, Richmond V6X 2W2
Contact: 604.273.9778 for more info.
Please bring non-perishable food items for the Richmodn Food Bank.There will be craft, toy, and jewelry tables. See our blog posts from our previous year holiday open house to see just how much fun our events are.
Refreshments and beverages will be served.
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DDA in the Media
This coming Thursday, October 14th, will mark the 6th Annual Art Show for BC artists with developmental disabilities. This art show will take place at Heritage Hall from 5pm to 9pm, and is hosted by posAbilities (previously MAPCL). I’ve had the pleasure of attending the art show for the past couple of years, and I can definitely say it’s a great experience. In previous years appetizers and beverages were served, and I think the same will happen again this year. The Main Street Drop-In at the DDA was also a feature location for a media mention in the Metro. Below is the article featuring one of our artists and her artwork:
Click image for full size
Come check out the art show and be prepared to bid on some of the most beautiful artwork you’ve ever seen!
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