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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1985-06-26, Page 19Mayor Eileen Palmer, honorary chairman of the Residents' Coun- cil at Maitland Manor Nursing Home was on hand last Thursday for a `balloon off'. The balloons were sold ata strawberry social at the nursing home to raise money for Altheimers Disease. Seniors enjoy high -style fashion show HURONVIEW - June 17, a high -style show of fashion, featuring color and design was held in the Huronview auditorium. Senior Citizens' Day took place on June 18' and guests were from Goderich, Brussels and Bayfield. They commented on the delicious meal served them, after ' which they were entertained by the Foghorns of . Goderich. The group of fine musicians is a popular one and is certainly making a name for itself through the excellent style it presents in its concerts. This time, the group led by Bonnie Dunn did a splendid spoof on politicians, in music and song. • The Jund' birthday party took place on June 19; and was in charge of the. Women's Institute of St. Helens. There was a variety program beginning with a sing -song. Old tunes were played by Elroy Laidlaw on the violin, accompanied by Louise Laidlaw at the piano. A humorous reading was given by Doris Mawhinney. At the conclusion of this program, cupcakes and tea were served. Mid -week Bible Study took place in the chapel on June 20, with Shirley Prouty in charge. Verna McLaughlin gave a reading and Elsie Henderson and Margaret Mc- Queen favored with a duet accompanied by Frank Bissett at the organ. Mabel Scott gave a reading. It was a beautiful day Friday and the out- doors proved a peect setting for a barbecue. Men and staff from Men's Floor enjoyed their meal of hot dogs, hamburgs and ice cream. It has been said before, there is nothing like fresh air and the aroma of the cooking, to raise one's appetite to the fullest. Thanks to our chefs who make these outings enjoyable. A special worship service was held Sun- day morning in the auditorium, with Rev. Norman Pick in charge. Special music was provided by Don McDonald who sang two solos accompanied at the piano by Margery Huether. Doh is the son of Mrs. Edna McDonald, a resident of Huronview. During the service, Mary Gibbings called Rev. and Mrs. Pick to the front of the hall, and presented them with a hall mirror, on behalf of the residents and council. In her remarks, Mary thanked Rev. Pick for his dedication and counselling to the residents, during his services to Huronview. The Picks are leaving Clinton and thecommunity, and they are wished happiness in their new home at Waterloo, and an abundance of joy in their retirement. During the hot months of summer, Sunday morning worship will take place in the air- conditioned auditorium. Choir practice has been changed from Saturday morning to Friday evening 6 to 7 o'clock in the hall. Protect rights of mentally handicapped BY SUSAN HUNDERTMARK The idea that all human beings' have worth and rights is older than Christianity. But, as recently as 1981, no province in Canada protected the rights of the mentally handicapped, Toronto lawyer Harry Beatty told the annuat meeting of the Goderich District Association for the Mentally Retarded. And, the inclusion of the mentally han- dicapped into the recent Charter of Rights ensuring equality for all Canadian citizens was a hard fought victory. -Originally, even the Charter itself was not going to give equality to the handicap- ped. Equality was the result of lobbying and the federal government looking for allies to support the Charter. Only through the political process were handicapped people covered at all," he said. Translating the equality guaranteed on paper to real equality will be difficult and complex. "Over the long term, the Charter is bound to have beneficial effects for the people we try to serve in the association. But, it will be 'difficult to define what equality means .especially in the context of employment," he said. Two definitions of equality came from Judge Rosalie Abella's Equality in Employ- ment Commission Report. Sometimes equality means treating people the same despite their differences and other times it . means accommodating people's dif-.. ferences. "We know that in this association, some clients can be fully job ready and in that _ _case we want the dir l...intei cetatiou. ,lust 'because someone is labelled handicapped, an employer should not he able to t G sect ,o Ci r`� Come & Enjoy 1 444 OFF EVERYTHING 7 DAYS A WEEK AFTER 4:00 P.M. THE COURT RESTAURANT 120 THE SQUARE, 524-9111 Fully licenced under the OPEN DAILY 10 am - 9 pm discriminate for a job the person is qualified for." The problems arise when enforcing the law against discrimination in both the Charter and the federal and provincial human rights codes. "If an employer shows he's discriminating explicitly, it's easy to deal with. A complaint could be made and dealt with. But, a lot of discrimination isn't easy to prove. Most employers are aware enough of their legal responsiblities they'd never say, 'We don't hire any handicapped peo- ple,"'.said Beatty. The rate of unemployment these days means that the person hired for most jobs will be reasonably well qualified. So, the fact that a handicapped person was not hired would be no proof of discrimination. The Charter permits but does not require affirmative action 'programs which could get around the problem of discrimination. "Many people feel we need some kind "f reporting system to show how many han- dicapped people are working for large cor- porations, large sectors of the economy or branches of the government," he said. The problems with mandatory affir- mative action include accusations of reverse employment, a mentally handicapped per- son must be accommodated with attitudes of acceptance, a longer time to learn a job and techniques such as color -coded equip- ment instead. of equipment labelled with writing. The achievement of equality will also de- pend on what comparisons are made between the handicapped and everyone else. For example, lifestyle rules in group homes such as no smoking and no use of alcohol could be considered discrimination if compared to living in your own apart- ment. But, if compared to living in universi- ty residences or living in the parental home, the rules are not discriminatory. Also, the wages in rehabilitation workshops which are lower than minimum wage could be considered discriminatory depending on whether the work is con- sidered employment in the true sense or training and rehabilitation. "The $64 question is, 'What is similar?' That's difficult to answer. Everything depends on what kinds of comparisons are made," he said. The first case to test the Charter of Rights involves a woman with Down's Syndrome discrimination and the fact that whose mother applied for her daughter's rrta-ny employers wen2t.e-e perate with-err---.-steriliz-ation. The case has gone all the wa;t, matron about the number of handicapped people working for them. The second definition of equality ( accom- modating people's differences) is a fun- damental principle we must adopt if we're to achieve equality for handicapped people, he said. "-It will--be-very signif-irant_for.-all-uf--us-- While a physically handicapped person when the Supreme Court renders its deci must have access to buildings for equality in sion," he said. to the Supreme Court of Canada. "It's highly significant that the first case involves a mentally handicapped person when f iv c years -ago, the mentally handicap- ped had no rights at all. All nine justices sat to hear the case which is the mark of a very important case." Hair Styling for ladies and • Gentlemen 53 South St. GODERICH, Ontario 5244279 Making life asier and safer,.. We at Rieck Pharmacy appreciate the special needs of all our customers. Because we care, Rieck Pharmacy stocks,items to, suit thespecial health care needs of seniors. We have products such as bath tub safety rails, seats and mats, incontinence supplies, ostomy supplies, commodes, invalid rings, blood pressure kits, canes and cane tips, stethoscopes and a wide variety of health and beauty aids to improve your quality of life. Our friendly, courteous and helpful staff, convenient extended hours (Thursday and Friday nights 'till 9, Sundays noon 'till 5), and delivery in town, together, make us proud to welcome you into our store. We do appreciate your support. IE The Staff of Rieck, Pharmacy Your Friendly Neighbourhood Drugstore Pharmacy 14 SHOPPERS SQUARE GODERICH 524-7241 WE APPRECIATE YOU! the' staff of Rieck Pharmacy salute all the Senior Citizens in Huron County 1\1F Our Salute to Seniors N"S�PECIAL29 SENIORS DISCOUNT 9fl% OF ANY PURCHASE When the occasion calls, Whistle... 1 FLOWERS FOR TODAY - GIFTS FOREVER 166 THE SQUARE, GODERICH ph: 524-8761 Evenings and Sundays phone 529-7253 Discount* TO ALL SENIORS -PLUS- coffee cold drinks cookies draws, door prizes, seniors' pamphlets & samples FREE FREL TH U RSDAY JUNE 27,9amto9pm IE WE DELIVER your Friendly Neighbourhood Drugstore. Pharmacy 14 SHOPPERS SQUARE GOOERICH 521-7241