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Check out what’s been going on in our world!
Check out what’s been going on in our world!
March 7th 2015 was full of fun and firsts. Our 3rd Annual fundraiser, Wings on Our Wheels ~ Astonished in Flight flew in on what seemed like the wings of spring. Guests arrived with happy greetings to one another; the vocal sounds of songstress Rebecca Lascue filled the room like a summer breeze; the children’s play space was a hum of activity; and everyone took to the silent auction tables like bees to nectar. The appetizers were both beautiful and delicious; the cupcakes were an art form. We were thrilled to launch the Astonished! Legacy Funds; special thank you to Barbara and Doug Mader, Rebekah Lindenbach, and Harvey Wagner for your part in launching these Funds. Check out the wonderful event photos by Tanys Rae Photography.
Thank you to everyone who made this evening such a great success.
The Astonished Winter Games took on a creative flair under the leadership of sisters Sara and Sam Illerbrun, Kinesiology Students at the University of Regina. The gym was filled with laughter, as participants played crazy games like shaking ping pong balls out of a empty Kleenex box. Oh did we mention the Kleenex box was taped to the players waist like a fanny pack. Oh yes, and the fanny back Kleenex box was on the back, not the front! Some people had a real knack for the shake that was required to get the ping pong balls to fly out. It is great to team with the various University of Regina students who volunteer with Astonished.
Think about some of your best times, your most creative endeavours, your daily life. Who comes to mind? Often we have fabulous partners who help to make our best times, our most creative endeavours, our daily life possible. In this February 2015 e-newsletter we want to introduce you to some of our fabulous partners at Astonished! You might want to begin by looking in the mirror because you are one of our fabulous partners. Thank You. Read More…
There are a multitude of reasons I want to donate to Astonished!
Here are the first two that came to mind:
I worked at a school for a number of years with a diversity of children. I noticed how our culture excludes many groups of people for a variety of reasons – they are inconvenient, they don’t fit the mold, we haven’t taken the time to get to know them.
It occurred to me that many of those we marginalize have many rich gifts to offer us- in many cases getting to know these individuals better might just the medicine our culture needs. This is true of young adults with complex physical disAabilities and with many other groups as well. Inclusion enriches us all with wisdom and light we might not otherwise have.
One of my daughters has always hummed loudly when happy with the world and what she is up to. I know that she is humming because all is right with her world at that moment. Something like a cat purring. Astonished! gives many young adults opportunities to “hum” – to experience a sense of well-being, belonging and joy. I am inspired by the many people who work to make the Astonished dream a reality. Here’s to Astonished!
You can check out Sue Bland’s art and play shops at Poached Egg Woman
We at Astonished are busy getting ready for our 3rd Annual Fundraiser Wings on our Wheels ~ Astonished in Flight. We hope you will join us in the fun! Funds raised at this event will help Astonished! continue to offer innovative services and programs.
Saturday March 7th 2015, St. Martin’s Parish Hall
4720 Castle Road, Regina SK
Cocktails, Fundraising, Entertainment 6:30p.m.
Appetizer service7:30 p.m.
Cash Bar
You are invited to join the Core Members for a dance 9:30 p.m.
Tickets
Per table of 6 $450
Individual ticket $75 (Children aged 11 and under free.)
For Tickets please phone (306-737-9560)
or e-mail Bonnie Cummings-Vickaryous
December 3rd is the United Nations International Day of Persons with DisAbilities. This year the theme is Workplace Accommodation, Assistive Technology, and Accessible Transport.
A! Student Researcher Kelsey Culbert and University of Regina Kinesiology students; Alicia Gurr, Andi Taylor, and Katherine Michaluk have been teaming together to educate themselves and others about assistive technology and accessible transport.
In November they presented their information to students at Riffel High School and Campbell Collegiate. Kelsey shared her stories about how she uses technology. For example she uses Dragon Dictate to compose messages and presentations, and has adapted her cell phone to function as a remote control for her television. It was a great way to inspire others about creative uses of assistive technology, to learn how students are currently using technology, and to identify technology they would like to see developed.
Kelsey wants to develop a phone app for Paratransit users:
I would make a Paratransit App to make it more convenient for someone to book a bus, to be able to find out where their bus is, and to add information and comments to their own client files.
Thanks Kelsey, Alicia, Andi, and Katherine for your great work!
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