The Black Spruce Volume 22 Issue 3 October – December 2019 Empower is your Disability Resource Centre and The Black Spruce is your newsletter. We offer a variety of resources, supports and opportunities for people living with disabilities. Our programs include: Advocacy Skills, Peer Support, Volunteer Opportunities, Career Development, Adaptive Technology, Independent Living Internships, Free Computer Access, Employer Supports and Services, and Research and Development. Empower actively promotes all aspects of Independent Living. Alternate Formats: The Black Spruce is also available in Braille, Large Print, and Audio CD, as well as online at www.empowernl.ca . Contact Information for Staff Newsletter Coordinator
Transcript
The Black SpruceVolume 22 Issue 3October – December 2019
Empower is your Disability Resource Centre and The Black Spruce is your newsletter. We offer a variety of resources, supports and opportunities for people living with disabilities. Our programs include: Advocacy Skills, Peer Support, Volunteer Opportunities, Career Development, Adaptive Technology, Independent Living Internships, Free Computer Access, Employer Supports and Services, and Research and Development. Empower actively promotes all aspects of Independent Living.
Alternate Formats: The Black Spruce is also available in Braille, Large Print, and Audio CD, as well as online at www.empowernl.ca.
Contact Information for Staff Newsletter Coordinator
Stephen QuinnTel: (709) 722-4031 ext. 214Toll Free: 1-866-722-4031Email: [email protected] Disability Resource Centre4 Escasoni Place, St. John’s, NLA1A 3R6www.empowernl.ca
Empower encourages future submissions from its consumers. Direct enquiries to [email protected]. Submissions should be a maximum of one page or 750 words in length.
The Black Spruce provides a way for people to share opinions, thoughts and ideas. The articles may not always reflect the goals, values and mission of Empower. Empower
does not endorse any products, services, ads or businesses in any way. It is the responsibility of the consumer to make an informed decision.
Inside this edition:
EMPOWER NEWS 2INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES CELEBRATION....................2
CALL FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING AWARDS NOMINATION..............................................2
EMPOWER CHRISTMAS DINNER AND DANCE 3
GARDEN COMMITTEE BASKET 3
HARRIS RYAN CHARTERED PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANTS VOLUNTEER AT TAKE TWO4
MENTAL HEALTH NURSE OUTREACH SERVICES 4
SOCIAL WORKER OUTREACH SERVICES 4
INTRODUCING IL INTERNS52 | P a g e
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT 7DOLPHIN DISABILITIES MENTORING DAY 7
CHALLENGING NEGATIVE THINKING 8
TECHKNOWTUTORS OFFER FREE DIGITAL LEARNING 9
NLAD INTERPRETING SERVICES 11
CONSUMER CONTRIBUTIONS 12“MY DAY” BY STEPHANIE DUNPHY 12
CREATIVE CORNER 13“OWL” BY EUGENE BARRETT 13
“PERFECTLY IMPERFECT” POEM BY NATASHA `LUNDRIGAN...........................................14
UP-COMING PEER SUPPORT & EVENTS 14PEER SUPPORT GROUPS14
CRAFT GROUP.................14
WOMEN’S GROUP...........15
MEN’S AND WOMEN’S GROUP 15
MEN’S GROUP..................15
DINNER CLUB...................16
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EMPOWER NEWS
International Day of Persons with Disabilities Celebration
Tuesday, December 3, 2019Noon – 2:30 pmEmpower, 4 Escasoni Place
Transportation tickets will be provided.
Drop by to celebrate what people with disabilities have accomplished over the past year.
Call for Independent Living Awards Nomination.
IL Awards are presented at our International Day of Persons with Disabilities Celebration, Tuesday, December 3, 2019.
The Cecilia Carroll Award for Independent Living for a person with a disability, who has demonstrated a long-term and extraordinary personal commitment to full inclusion of persons with disabilities in Newfoundland and Labrador, locally or nationally. Minimum of 20 years commitment.
The Independent Living Young Leader Award for a young person with a disability, under 30 years of age, who has raised awareness and shown outstanding leadership in promoting full inclusion of people with disabilities in Newfoundland and Labrador. Minimum of 5 years
The Business Award for Independent Living for a business who has displayed an innovative approach and achieved substantial outcomes, in supporting the full inclusion
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of people with disabilities in areas such as employment, transportation, housing, communication and technology.
The Social Inclusion Award for Independent Living for a person, team or group of individuals who has worked towards a more inclusive environment by creating opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in areas such as sports, the arts, education, recreation, and the wider community.
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: November 1, 2019. Nomination forms are available at Empower, by visiting our website www.empowernl.ca or by contacting [email protected]
Empower Christmas Dinner and Dance
Tickets are $15.00 Saturday, December 21, 20197:00pm – 12:00amThe CLB Armoury82 Harvey Road
Tickets will be on sale Oct 1st, 2019 By phone: 722-4031
Everyone will be responsible for their own transportation.
GARDEN COMMITTEE BASKETThe Garden Committee will be selling tickets on a Christmas Basket. Including Hotel Stays, Wine, Chocolates and more! The Basket will be drawn for International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Dec 3rd.
Harris Ryan Chartered Professional Accountants Volunteer at TAKE TWO
Harris Ryan, Chartered Professional Accountants staff recently volunteered at Empower's social enterprise, Take Two.
Big thanks to Angie Burke and Kristine Strickland (Empower Board Member) for partnering with Take Two.
MENTAL HEALTH NURSE OUTREACH SERVICES
Chandi McKenna and Amy McNeill, Community Mental Health and Addictions Outreach Nurses with Eastern Health are
offering drop-in services on Tuesdays from 1:00 pm to 1:30 pm. All appointments after this time will need to be booked by Joby Fleming, our Advocacy Coordinator.
Empower now has a Social Worker on Wednesday Afternoons.
Do you need support from a social worker?
Do you need someone to help figure things out?
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Do you want help navigating services?
Brenda, Our Community Mental Health and Addictions Social Worker with Eastern Health will be here Wednesday from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. To book you next appointment, please call Joby.
It’s that time of year again and the IL Internship Program is in full force. We would like to take this opportunity to introduce you to our new slate of IL Interns for 2019 - 2020 and let you know where and how you can contact them. We wish them every success as they use this opportunity to explore their career options, promote
Empower services within their communities and make themselves known to employers in their areas.
Hi all! My name is Rebecca Blundon. I am an IL Intern. I am from Clarenville and I will be working in this area. I am super excited to work with Empower to bring interest and knowledge to those that are not familiar with the various supports and resources that are available for them. Being an IL Intern in the Clarenville area, I hope to guide those in making their own decisions and become comfortable living independently. I would like to be able to offer the most knowledge I possibly can so individuals can feel empowered about themselves and have their independence. You can reach me at [email protected]
Hello, my name is Joel Oram. I am working at Empower in St. John's as an IL intern. I am looking forward to helping many of you in the future. I am skilled in many technologies so if anyone needs help with any technology contact me. I am glad to have this opportunity and hope that I can assist many of you throughout my internship. Thank you to this amazing community. You can reach me at [email protected]
Hello everyone! My name is Jordan Bragg, and I am currently working as one of the IL interns for Empower in the St. John's area. I was born with cerebral palsy due to a complication at birth, and have been living with very limited use of my right side ever since. I am grateful for this opportunity, and the ability to share my experiences living with a
physical disability, and to learn from others who face similar struggles on a daily basis. Growing up, my access to services such as the ones offered by Empower were limited, and it has been an eye-opening experience to take part in an organization which does so much to help others in need of support. During my time at Empower, I hope to take away a new outlook on my own life, and use that knowledge not only to benefit myself, but also those around me. You can reach me at [email protected]
Hi my name is Keely McIntosh-Hynes and I am the new Independent (IL) Intern for Empower, in the Stephenville area.
This year I am hoping to help shed some light on my position, role and raise awareness on
what my job title actually consists of. I tend in helping to take a new approach of providing information to others on what Empower stands for and the services they offer to persons with disabilities in my own community.
As well I hope to gain and develop new skill sets towards helping myself seek out future employment when I finish my Internship here at Empower. Getting the best experience through this program is my ultimate goal, that way I can showcase my existing education along with what I will develop here at Empower, to help establish and become a great contributor to my own community and the workforce within my area. Once I finish my position here, I intend to carry out and use my knowledge and experiences that I have gained
here at Empower throughout future prospects. Let the learning begin. You can reach me at [email protected]
Hi my name is Jayden Parsons. I'm from Central Newfoundland and I am an IL Intern at Empower, the Disability Resource Centre. Our aim at Empower is to help people with different disabilities live a more productive and successful life. I'd love to meet with you and talk about some of the things that we do as an organization and what our goals are and how we can benefit from each other. I look forward to hearing from you. You can reach me at [email protected] Thank you.
Hello everyone! I am Jayanth Srinivas. I am working as an Adaptive Technology Intern at Empower, the Disability Resource Centre. My aim is to
learn as much as I can through this internship so that I may be able to use my skills to help people understand and use technology comfortably. Any questions you may have about Adaptive technology, I will answer to the best of my ability. I will be available in the Computer centre on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. You can also reach me at [email protected] Hope to see you at the computer centre.
Hello, my name is Megan Penney and I am the IL Intern in the Corner Brook area. I am currently working with InclusionNL to produce accessibility packages for the candidates of the Federal Election.
I am also working with InclusionNL to produce a monthly newsletter and
accessibility info sheets. I am looking forward to working the next few months with everyone at Empower and watching how the new Accessible Canada Act is rolled out. You can also reach me at [email protected]
Hello one and all! My name is Natasha Lundrigan and I am honored to have the privilege of being one of your IL Interns in the Marystown area. I am looking forward to spreading the good word of Empower and all that it stands for.
I aim to do my job to the best of my abilities and make more people aware of the services that are available to them, and hopefully point them in the right direction so they can live independently. You can reach me at [email protected]
Are you a job ready individual in St. John’s, Mount Pearl, Paradise, or surrounding areas, looking to explore your job field of interest? If yes, Dolphin Disabilities Mentoring day is an opportunity that you do not want to miss!
Dolphin Disabilities Mentoring Day is a day of job shadowing where you will be matched with an employee (a Mentor) at an organization you are interested in. This day will help increase experience in ‘real life’ knowledge, responsibility and focus, which translates into an increased level of confidence and awareness of what is required to do the job.
According to results from 2018:
85% of mentees indicate an increase in confidence in their job search
90% of mentees identify a job specific skill they can work to improve
82% of mentors recommend their mentees to apply to their business
Dolphin Disabilities Mentoring Day will take place on October 30, 2019. The registration deadline is September 30, 2019. For more information about this opportunity,
visit disabilitiesmentoringday.org and to register visit www.surveymonkey.com/r/DolphinDMDMentee2019
If you require the application in an alternate format, or have any questions about this event, please contact Stephen Quinn at Empower, the Disability
Topic: Challenging Negative Thinking Date: Tuesday October 8, 2019
Time: 1:30pm - 2:30pmLocation: Empower, 4 Escasoni Pl.
Will discuss how Negative Thinking effects our feelings/ behavior
Ways to challenge negative thinking
Benefits of positive thinking.
Please note: there will be a drop in service to see the nurse after this group from 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm.
There will be on appointments scheduled on this day.
techKNOWtutors OFFER FREE DIGITAL LEARNING
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NLAD INTERPRETING SERVICES
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CONSUMER CONTRIBUTIONS
“MY DAY” BY STEPHANIE DUNPHY
My graduation day was the best day ever. On May 28th , after many obstacles, I completed my Bachelor of Arts degree from Memorial University. The weather was cold, the day was joyful and everything to perfection. After all, being disabled makes it challenging to complete an education anyhow. Along with the hard work and perseverance needed comes the change in schedules to fit appointments. It almost makes it near impossible to attend on campus courses. I have struggled to find somewhere to fit in but have made many connections along
the way who have made a huge difference along the way. To do this, there needs to be a strong support system.
The real question is what comes next. I plan on returning to school and I am figuring out what for through a number of resources. They are all helping in getting me further than I ever thought possible. While decisions are difficult educationally, they are more difficult for those who are disabled. We must be physically capable to do what careers have to offer, that in itself can be a real disappointment.
I think there needs to be more diversity. People who are disabled offer much more than meets the eye for employment purposes and it is worth noting that they have skills that are transferable to all aspects of life. As a matter of fact, given the
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chance and right tools, we can work in a variety of occupations that are people centred.
We are emphatic and enjoy helping others but there is not always the same response for us. It saddens me that even in 2019, we are still fighting to be accepted.
There are a number of areas that need to be addressed to make a disability confident province. I think it starts with the way people see disability. It should be seen more positively
and help should be given when needed. Making more awareness will be a great step.
Also, I think that rural areas need the most help. Having the ability to own an accessible vehicle is not always financially possible. There should be some allowance here so that those who need transportation can go where they need without hassle. I think that socialization is an important aspect of life. Doing everyday activities would not be achievable without accessible vehicles.
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CREATIVE CORNER
“OWL” BY EUGENE BARRETT
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“PERFECTLY IMPERFECT” POEM BY NATASHA LUNDRIGAN
I am not anatomically correct,I’m no beauty queen drone.I am an honest to God real woman with a little meat on my bone.
I don’t speak all pretty,but what I say is true.I am perfectly imperfectand it’s a fact so are you.
We’re made different,no special mold or design.So why do people hold an imageof “perfect” in their mind?
You’re the perfect you,and I the perfect me.We should not compare ourselves to others that we see.
Accept who you are,every little perfect imperfection.Look deep inside yourselfand do a little reflection.
No more of this silly,“mirror, mirror on the wall.”Everyone is simply perfect,end of story, that is all!
UP-COMING PEER SUPPORT & EVENTS
PEER SUPPORT GROUPS
Peer support group members come together to share experiences, skills, knowledge, information, and wisdom with each other. These are your groups; share your ideas with us. We come together to socialize and have fun in a safe and comfortable place for all persons with disabilities. We plan our groups around consumer’s interests, ideas, needs, and wants. Have an idea
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for a future topic for a group? Let Amanda know, at 722-4031.
CRAFT GROUP
Members meet on Thursday afternoons from 2:00pm – 4:00pm at Empower and in different community settings. Do you have skills to share or would you like to work together with us on a project? Help us show that art can be created and shared across disabilities.
WOMEN’S GROUP
Women are now meeting once a month at Empower or at a location in the community. Would you like to do workshops or share an interest? Join us in
supporting and learning from each other.
Scheduled Meeting Date: Monday, Oct 7Time: 6:30 pm – 8:30 pmLocation: To be decidedTopic: To be decidedFuture Date: Monday, Dec 2nd
MEN’S AND WOMEN’S GROUP
Men and Women with disabilities get together once every two months at Empower or at a location in the community to share and support each other. Would you like to join them in sharing your ideas?
Scheduled Meeting Date: Monday Oct 21Time: 6:30pm – 8:30pmLocation: To be decidedTopic: To be decidedFuture Dates: Monday, Dec 9
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MEN’S GROUP
Members of the Men’s Group get together once a month at Empower or at a location in the community to share and support each other. The possibilities are endless in what activities, presentations, events, and topics we will explore. Would you like to join them in sharing your ideas?
Scheduled Meeting Date: Monday, Oct 28Time: 6:30 pm – 8:30 pmLocation: to be decidedTopic: to be decidedFuture Dates: Monday, Dec 16th
DINNER CLUB
Join us every two months for a night filled with food and good company. We like to go out to eat as a group to different accessible restaurants in the city. We provide them with
positive feedback on how their establishment is welcoming to persons with disabilities. Let us know your favorite accessible restaurants in the St. John’s area.
Scheduled Meeting Date: Monday, Nov 18 and Wednesday, Nov 20Time: 6:30pm – 9:00pmLocation: To be Determined
If you would like to attend any of these sessions or have any questions, please contact Amanda at [email protected], or 722-4031. Please make sure you confirm your attendance.
