Our Latest News
Check out what’s been going on in our world!
Check out what’s been going on in our world!
We are delighted to share our November 2016 e-newsletter with you. Meet some of the University of Regina Students who are learning together with A! student Researchers, A! Staff, and A! Core Members; scare yourself with photos from the Halloween Howl; check out the A! Social Club events; and respond to two invitations : Yoga Open House and the A! Holiday Feast.
Photo: Kennedy Gauley, Ben Rumpel, Haley Sokalofsky
When I first joined the Astonished! Team in December of 2012 I was in the middle of my Master of Science Degree in Kinesiology and Health Studies. I had completed all of my course work and recently proposed my research study which focused on organizational effectiveness in municipal recreation provision. Upon starting with Astonished! I quickly became immersed in ‘all things’ Astonished! and lost interest in my original thesis work (thank goodness).
In early November 2016, Astonished! Board Chair, Dr. Brenda Rossow-Kimball and I had the opportunity to travel to Tampa, Florida to share the work of Astonished! at the North American Society for the Sociology of Sport conference. Here we drew parallels between the work of Astonished! and the Strengths Perspective which demands a non-traditional way of working with people with disAbilities. Instead of focusing on medical diagnosis and deficits, the Strengths Perspective encourages seeing people “in the light of their capacities, talents, competencies, possibilities, visions, values and hopes” (Saleebey, 1996).
Attending the conference and reflecting on the work of Astonished! has awakened something inside of me. We do things differently at Astonished! – something I am confident that we are all proud of. In the coming months I will be reapplying to the Faculty of Graduate Studies with the intention of changing my research project. Under the supervision and mentorship of Dr. Brenda Rossow-Kimball I hope to engage in Narrative Inquiry to co-compose narratives of strength alongside adults experiencing complex physical disAbilities.
Bonnie Cummings-Vickaryous, A! Executive Director
We are delighted to launch our Grow Gratitude 2016 campaign with the release of our Growing Gratitude 2016 video. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do.
We are delighted to present the 18 teams (65 team members) who are entered in the A! 2016 Walk and Roll event to take place on Saturday December 3, 2016. Thank you to all the teams, team members, and team supporters. We have 30 days to exceed our fundraising goal. Go Teams! You can support your favourite team or team member by clicking on the team name or participant name.
There is an abundance of creative ideas and fun things to do at Astonished! On Tuesday November 15th you can Rock and Roll with the bands Majetik, Heart Knives, and Port Noise at The Owl, University of Regina. Kinesiology Walk and Roll Team RR4WR is hosting this Rock and Roll for Walk and Roll event as a way to raise funds and awareness. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door (for ages 19 +). All monies go to Astonished! The doors open at 7:00 pm. Tickets available at The Owl or by e-mailing Mica.
On Thursday November 17th Astonished! Student Researcher Kaitlyn Hoar is hosting her third annual Steak Night 5:00pm-9:00pm at the Press Box, 909 Albert Street. Kaitlyn and her team have perfected the art of hosting a fund raising event for Astonished! at this sports bar. Tickets are $30 and include a Beer or Pop/Steak/Fries/Salad. There is also a raffle and 50/50 tickets. Text or phone Kaitlyn at 306-570-7132 or e-mail Bonnie for tickets, advance tickets only.
Looking for an awesome Halloween party to go to? Look no further! Our Annual Halloween Howl will be happening on Saturday, October 22nd! $20/Ticket ($10/Support Ticket). Fun time, ‘Midnight’ style lunch, cash bar. Contact Katherine for tickets!
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