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Check out what’s been going on in our world!
Check out what’s been going on in our world!
When I think about the Astonished! Core Members one word that comes to mind is ‘resilient’ able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions. The process of aging can be especially challenging when you have a complex physical disability. For many of the A! Core Members their wheelchairs are always part of their inclusion in daily life. Having a chair that supports your body as you age, and provides mobility and comfort is essential.
Recently Astonished! Leadership Team member Erin Hilts had a little taste of life on wheels. As part of her Therapeutic Recreation 447 class at the University of Regina she lived one day in a wheelchair. This is Erin’s reflection on her experience.
Today I experienced a different world; I was in a wheelchair for one full day! Only one day and I am not only physically sore but I am emotionally drained as well! Today was a huge eye opener for me; I realized that it is not just talk. People do act differently around you when you’re in a chair and the university is not as accessible as it may seem! I am so fortunate for this opportunity and have a greater respect for those who are starting tomorrow the same way I started today!
Thanks Erin, it is great to have you on the A! Team.
Our January newsletter is a great way to get current with Astonished! The photo above is from our Social Club Games Night on January 8, 2016. We hope you will sit back and relax with the news from Astonished! To read more ………………..
Ella:
I have been the Program Coordinator at Astonished for the past three years and it has been WONDERFUL. Thank you to the Astonished! Community for everything. My experience has been one in a million and I could not have done it without the support of each and every one of you. I fully believe in the good work that Astonished! does and am thrilled to have watched it grow and change during my time with it.
Now, it is my pleasure to introduce you to Katherine Taylor. She is taking over the role of Program Coordinator and is lovely, bright, and just the right person for the job. I know that Katherine will do great things for Astonished! and I am so excited to watch her (from afar!) in action. Astonished! is lucky to have gotten her and she is so lucky to have gotten Astonished! Over to you, Katherine!
Katherine:
Thank-you Ella! It has been such a pleasure learning the ways of Astonished! from such an amazing individual. I am very sad to see Ella go, but also extremely excited for this new opportunity.
A little about myself:
Like Ella mentioned previously, my name is Katherine Taylor. I come from a small town in Saskatchewan, and am happy to reside in Regina again! I completed my Kinesiology degree in the Fall of 2014 from the University of Regina, and then moved to Saskatoon to accept a position with a physiotherapy clinic. Although I enjoyed my time in Saskatoon, I knew Regina was a place that I soon wanted to get back to! Working with the disAbility community has always been a significant part of my life. Throughout high school I volunteered with the Parkland Therapeutic Riding Association, and then once moving to Regina, I found myself involved with organizations such as Creative Options Regina, Best Buddies, and Camp Easter Seal. These organizations expanded my knowledge, experience, and love for this field of work. Some of my favourite things to do are going home to visit the farm, spending time with friends, travelling, and camping in the summertime with my boyfriend. I hope to soon get to know more individuals involved with the Astonished! community as my time here continues!
Cheers!
How do you define ‘volunteer’? This is a situation where the dictionary definition misses the mark. There are no dictionaries that include ‘relationship’~ ‘mutual benefit’ ~ ‘fun’ ~ ‘creative’ ~ ‘generous’ but all of these words can describe volunteers and their experience at Astonished! In the photo above Brenda and Kennen are discussing their A! volunteer photography practice. Astonished! volunteers develop and share skills in the Astonished! Teaching and Learning Centre, participate in Social Club activities, are members of committees, help raise funds, serve on the A! Board of Directors, partner in research projects, and so much more.
We could not do what we do without the generous support of volunteers. On Wednesday, January 13th we hosted a wine and cheese party to say THANK YOU. To see photos from this evening please click here…..
It takes time and commitment to grow a community where we can both remember and create new memories. On Friday January 8, 2016 the Astonished! Social Club both remembered and created memories. We sat in circle for a minute of silence to remember Mark Mould, one of our Astonished! Core Members who has gone on, then we shared stories of remembrance and said we miss you Mark Mould. Mark loved a good time, he would have loved that we also had great visits, played crazy games, and made more memories. Check our FB page to see photos from this evening……..
It is a new year and in only two months we will be celebrating the 4th Annual Spring Fundraiser, Wings on Our Wheels ~ Astonished! In Flight. This is a fabulous event for all ages. We hope you will join us on Saturday March 5th, 2016, 6:30-9:00 at 4720 Castle Road, St. Martin’s Parish Hall, Regina, SK. We are beginning with a Champagne Reception at 6:30. For more details…….
Photo: Jonah & Gabi Lindenbach
We work in inclusive community to address barriers facing young adults with complex physical disAbilities (core members) by creating opportunities for teaching and learning, social, recreational and cultural engagement, and for employment and housing.
The Big Sky Centre for Learning and Being Astonished Inc.
University of Regina
3737 Wascana Parkway
Regina, SK S4S 0A2
Phone:
Bonnie Cummings-Vickaryous, Executive Director, 306-737-9560
E-mail:
BCV@beingastonished.com