IMAGES FOR THE JOURNEY

A Kitchen Table, A Hand, An Inukshuk:

MAKING A NETWORKBEING A NETWORK

TO END ELDER ABUSE & NEGLECT

04 October 2011

How can we dare Wisdom in the mosaic of our realities?

Inès Maria dell’ Eucaristia

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

UNITED NATIONS PRINCIPLES

PRINCIPLES USED IN CANADA

DignityIndependenceParticipationSelf-fulfillmentCare

DignityIndependenceParticipationFairness Security

"ABUSE FREE" PRINCIPLES The right of older people to be free from harm

or neglect The right of older people to peace and security

in their homes and communities The right of older people to dignity and

respect The right of older people to have a say in their

lives, in their community, and in their society Older adults' rights to freedom of expression

and thought Older adults' rights to have rights respected

that others take for granted The right of older people to have basic needs

met, such as food, shelter, care and support

WHAT IS MY IMAGE OF OLDER PERSONS?

WHAT HAPPENS IN THIS KITCHEN?

WE SIT TOGETHER AT THIS TABLE

GOVERNMENT/BUSINESS/ LABOUR VOLUNTARY/RELIGIOUS/CIVIC

COMMUNITIES

YOU AS LEADERS OLDER PERSONS THEMSELVES

SHARING A CONVERSATIONDECIDING A WAY FORWARD

WHICH HAND IS MINE?

WHICH HAND IS MINE?

WHOSE HANDS DO I TOUCH?

WHOSE HANDS DO I TOUCH?

AM I AN INUKSHUK?ARE WE AN INUKSHUK?

MY ROLE

OUR ROLE

I’m sittin’ on my stage-head lookin’ out at where Skipper Joe Irwin’s schooner is ridin’ at her moorin’ … thinkin’ about how weak are the things that try to pull people apart – differences in colours, creeds and opinion – weak things like the ripples tuggin’ at the schooner’s chain. And thinkin’ about how strong are the things that hold people together – strong, like Joe’s anchor, and chain, and the good holdin’ ground below.

Ted Russell, The Holdin’ Ground

ARE WE AS NETWORK THE CHAIN, THE ANCHOR, OR THE GOOD HOLDIN’ GROUND

BEANNACHT ("BLESSING")

May the light of your soul guide you. May the light of your soul

bless the work that you do with the secret love and warmth of your

heart. May you see in what you do

the beauty of your own soul. May the sacredness of your work bring healing, light and renewal

to those who work with you and to those who see and receive your

work. May your work never weary you.

May it release within you wellsprings of refreshment, inspiration and excitement.

May you be present in what you do. May you never become lost in bland

absences. May the day never burden.

May dawn find you awake and alert, approaching your new day with dreams,

possibilities and promises. May evening find you gracious and

fulfilled. May you go into the night

blessed, sheltered and protected. May your soul calm, console and renew

you.

John O'Donoghue, Anam Cara