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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWingham Advance-Times, 1977-08-17, Page 5SUN BATHING Start with 5 minutes on each side and gradually increase your exposure to the sun. It's surpris- ing how fast most people can tan or burn, •Remember, you can burn as badly on hazy days as on bright, sunny days. lAtirrhaltv il 1 1111 rill Willi Grill61II to Florida From Return TORONTO TO MIAMI OR TAMPA November 77 to April 78 Must book 45 days in Advance "Don't Delay" Booking on this "Fast -Selling" Charter! Complete Details At H LID RL Wingham 357-2701 By Lavonne N0 Ballagh cce ting °nese! We have examined several stressful situations in people's lives This week, we look at one woman and the way she copes with her own battle and inspires others to do the same. o—o--o Alone —in a world of the strong and able-bodied. Alone — in a society where strong men and beautiful women get all the breaks. Alone — in a room that consists of four walls. This is the world the physically handicapped face. How do they cope? What gives them the courage to con- tinue? For one, it was "Accepting myself as a person." It would be easy to pity her. The words, "You poor dear", come to your mind and are al- most released. Forget it!\Elaine Townshend neither needs, nor wants, your pity. The icpright oranges and yellow of her kitchen reflect her per- sonality — the soft blues of her spacious livingroom are restful and relaxing as is the atmosphere when you are in her presence. Even a thriving little houseplant seems to say, "I'M happy here; just let me live my own life." And Elaine does — because she knows how important living one's own life can be. Life hasn't always been as kind to Elaine Townshend as the peace and serenity in her home now make it, appear to be. Elaine is one of the many handicapped people in our province struggling to make her, way in a world often negligently cold to the needs of the physically handicapped. She was born without arms, yet against these odds she has not only managed to survive but is living a normal life. Teen Years Difficult Elaine is happy and secure now which was not always* the case. She was born at Porter's Hill, near I3ayfield, where her parents still live. and attended a small country schoolhouse there. She remembers her childhood years as happy ones; the children with whom she grew up accepted her and she participated in all activi- ties. One is still her best friend. Her handicap was not any' real hardship to her; never- having had arms, she didn't miss them and she learned to d6 things in other ways. Her secondary school educa- tion was taken by corres- pondence. Her teen years were ' rough for she faced not only the problems of all teenagers reach- ing out to life and seeking an- swers but also living with a handicap. Realizing it made her 'different', she crawled into a shell, retreating from the real world which made her feel self- conscious and insecure. With maturity and understand- ing, thoUgh, emerged a new Elaine as she came to grips with life and looked at the person in the mirror through different eyes. No one person or occasion contributed to the change al- though she does recall one event which occurred when she was 21 and overheard a casual remark about "the little girl with iso arms". She was determined then to make her life mean something, to do something worthwhile, to leave a lasting impression as more than merely "th•I'; ittle girl with no arms". Accepting Herself The key was a change of atti- tude — an acceptance of herself -11.4 • ., et • )D) aM:D_O'(Zr THE GENTLEMAN'S CORNER 200/o OFF NEWLY ARRIVED FALL STOCK Thurs. Aug. 18 to Sat. Aug. 20 SPECIAL DRAWS With every purchase made during the sale days, you get yourself a chance on one of the many draws to be made on the final day of the sale. and a realization that she could indeed be a Somebody and had potential as a person. She en- rolled in an English course at Conestoga College and began writing. For three years, she has been writing a weekly column on 'everyday life' in four Western Ontario newspapers. She also is an excellent photographer and has sold several feature stories. Elaine doesn't look on her life as abnormal. When she speaks bf handicaps or disabilities, she says, "Everyone is disabled in one way or another." She thinks it is easier to live with a physical handicap than a mental or emo- tional one. There is no attempt to •hide a physical disability — it is there forall•to see so no explana- tions are necessary. A hidden handicap is more often covered until pressures build within and very often eventually erupt like a volcano. She has never felt ex- ploited and though she knows many feel nothing but pity for her, she realizes she may never change that and admits that even pity is "better than nothing". Being independent is ex- tremely important to her. Her education and her writing have contributed. A licence to drive in 1973 made her free to come and go at will without depending on others. And the latest triumph, her cosy little Clinton apartment which she acquired last year, has made her a free woman, beholdin' to no one. It has given her a feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment. • A Purpose, In Life Elaine's conversation. returns often to the 'Word "purpose". Religious faith is to her a deeply personal thing, a ,topic she does not often discuss: But she credits God with "every good thing" in her file and knows that He. has a purpose for her. Right now it is just "to be alive and take one day built in the area are installing at a time". facilities (elevators, ramps, etc.) When Elaine looks at others forthose vvho cannot climb stairs. who have physical disabilities, 'Bell Telephone, in all.new public she admits she may not look at installations, is placing one tele - them with as muchsympathy as phone at wheelchair level; and do the non -handicapped. But where new streets and sidewalks when she sees the handicapped, are being" constructed, 'Curb she sees potential, not paralysis; cuts' will be considered. In Wing - ability not disability; usefulness; ham, Mayor William Walden was the person, not the wheelchair. approached about six.moriths ago The handicapped truly do,have by an ALPHA representative and a, place in society , if they can assures the group that when learn self -acceptance, for if one cannot accept himself, he cannot eepeet ethers to eceept hie. Reif - acceptance makes a person see his own usefulness and helps him cope with life. And that's what it's all about. Weak or sick, small or mighty, we all have something to contribute. Accepting that fact is the first step tp a successful and happy life, a peace of mind and contentment that makes the struggle worth it'. Helping The Handicapped • Elaine Townshend's pet project right now is ALPHA Huron. In March of 1976, Elaine talked to a representative of ALPHA London with the hope of extending the organization northward. Other interested people joined her in a group which first enveloped a tri- angle around Goderich, Bayfield and Clinton and later expanded to Wingham and Brussels. People who belong to The Nwareness League for Physically Handicapped Adults share . the feeling that "society in general is not geared for peopfe who are dif- ferent and it's not right". ALPHA Huron began with seven mem- bers, there are now more than 20. They are always seeking new members and encourage; people to attend their meetings i the fourth Tuesday. of every month, usually at Holmesville or Brus- sels. About half of the group is handicapped. ALPHA's aim is to integrate the disabled into society and to have the non-hanclicapp.ed work- ing WITH the handicapped, not FOR them. This will hopefully be brought about by a change in atti- tude, a change in architecture and a change in legislation. The ALPHA groups have al- ready made great strides toward their goals. New arenas being Gorrie Personals Mr. and Mrs. Tim Van de Kemp and Serina of Stratford visited recently with Mr. and Mrs. John Van de Kemp. , Mrs. Albert Heibein and Mrs. Glenn Underwood returned home Wednesday after spending two weeks with Mrs. Norman Jardine • of Tagaske, Sask., and other rela- tives in the area. . ' Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hastie and Mr, and Mrs. Robert Strong spent the weekend with Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Simpson of Huntsville. Mr. and Mrs. Earl Williamson of Mount Forest. visited Sunday .with Mrs. Albert Heibein; • . Mrs. William Hendershot of Hamilton is visiting Rev.t, and Mrs. Wesley Ball. Mr. and Mrs. Ken Underwood and Mr. and Mrs. Jack Bennett have returned from holidaying at Long Lac. M. and Mrs. Harry Holmes of Molesworth were Sunday visitors of Mrs. Albert Dustow. Out-of-town visitors at the home of Mrs. Bert Hubbard were Mrs. Maurice McNabb of Prince - Rupert, B.C., Mr. and Mrs. Alan -Underwood -and' iatTrte NeW- , Bmiaurekveatieand Wes Underwood of Fashions For Today's Man The Gentle In's Corner 247 Josepatie St., Wingham, Ont. Open to 9:00 p.m. Thursday & Fnday Mrs. Lloyd Jacques attended the Hubbard reunion at Belmore on Sunday. ' Mr. 'and Mrs, Ian Howes, Marceline and Lana of Peter- borough spent the weekend* with Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Grainger. Mr. and Mrs. Bert Ki*ie of Alliston were guests on Wednes- day of Mr, and Mrs. Archie Miller, Kelly Anne, Donny and Billy Rea of Georgetown spent a few days with their grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Martin Scott. On Sunday Mr. and Mrs. William Rae of Georgetown visited at the same home. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Ferguson and Mr. and Mrs, Jack Ferguson attended the Mac Bel Couples' Club reunion at Mc intosh on Sun- day. Mrs. Gordon Edgar and Mrs. Wilford King are patients in the Wingham Hospital. Mrs, Gertie Giles of Lambeth spent a few days with Mr. and Mrs. Jack Ferguson. Mr. and Mrs.' Ralph Scott of Kincardine Twp. and Mrs. Doug- las Wrightson of Tiverton visited Mrs. Bert Scott and David and •Mr. and Mrs. Martin Scott. Mr. and Mrs. Manneseh H. Martin and Mr. and Mrs. Urias Martin of Hawkesville were din- ner guests of Miss, Verna Lichty and Leander Lichty on Sunday. Miss Verna, Lichty entertained 27 of her girlfriends at a pot luck 'supper Sunday evening. The Wingham Advenee-'imes, Akiiet 17, 4977—ft 5 ACCEPTING HERSELF AS A PERSON was something Elaine Townshend had to do before she could live a complete life. Her teen years were difficult, but she says everyone has a handicap, some handicaps just aren't visible to other people. Born without arms, Elaine has naturally used her legs and feet for everything. Her purpose in life is to make the world accept handicapped persons as people. —Photo by Kim Dadson Wingham's new main street is constructed, there will be walk ways installed at each corner for the benefit of the handicapped, people pushing baby carriages and anyone who has difficulty waiking. InLondon, primarily because of the efforts of the six-year-old ALPHA group, there are at least two senior citizens' residences with access available to the handicapped. Curb cuts have been used in construction of city .streets .and all new municipal buildings have facilities for the disebled. By October, five vans. will be in operation which will transport wheelchairs. Each trip will 'cost 50 cents and the priori- ties will be, work; workshops ; education and medical appoint- ments. Throughout Huron County, town councils have been urged to consider the physically handi- capped in future planning, with curb cuts and ramp entrances into public buildings being the priorities. ALPHA Huron has gained sup- port from many organizations and dubs. It has made. people more sensitive to the needs of the physically handicapped and made imany undergo .a deep self- examination and ask themselves, "What would I do in. that sitna- tion?" A motto in the spring issue of ALPHA Action Reporter, a news release which Elaine edits, says "SuccesS comes in cans, not can'ts". Like The Little Engine Who Could,- because he knew he could, the handicapped can sur- mount any obstacle if they are confident and have self -ac- ceptance and a realization that their life has a purpose. Helping Others Accept "To make the world accept the handicapped as people" — this is Elaine Townshend's purpose right now.. She gives freely of her time and 'talent for ALPHA, sometimes filling as many as six speaking engagements in one month. She talks about ALPHA Huron but she also talks openly about herself. This,' she finds, makes her audiences more re- laxed and responsive. But 'Elaine also gives freely of herself. Watching her warm smile, her probing' eyes as she waits for 'your next question, her enthusiasm as she talks about her work and involvement with others, you somehow get the feel- ing that this beautiful person will never be Merely "the little girl with no arms". Watching her toes rattle off a sentence on the type- writer, you blast yourself for giving in to. that headache you had last night. Your own little disabilities have been so hard to bear Iiecause you have not learned to accept them. You promise yourself you will get in- volved in something worthwhile . . and you leave. Her words keep ringing in your ears. . . "Everyone is. disabled in one way or another." Everyone 7 7 7 77 No, she is wrong! Everyone else perhaps. . . but not Elaine Townshend! NEXT: A look at the people who live under the stress of loneliness ,• and how they make each day livable. AS EASY AS ONE, TW.e, THREE was how Elaine Townshend made it look as she typed with her toes. Born without arms, Elaine finds using her legs and feet natural. For three years she has been writing a column on everyday Ilfe in four Western Ontario newspapers. She is also a photographer and has sold several feature stories. — Photo by Kim Dadson