Times-Advocate, 1979-05-09, Page 15What Can You Do?
Flowers of Hope
Campaign
Starting Next Week
Donna Greb, Campaign ChairpersonAssociation administrative staff Terri Baarda, Don Campbell, Connie Lewis.
Bob Southcott
President
Donald W Campbell
Executive-Director
n/'m told that I'm mentally handicapped... whatever
that means.
"If it means that keeping up with other kids in school..
... needing some help to understand my job .. .or
taking longer to learn about sports, then I guess I'm
handicapped.
"But I don't feel any different from other people.
"Sometimes I get angry with myself for making
mistakes. Sometimes I feel really proud when I do
something well. But mostly I'm happy as long as
people 'give me a chance' to do things for myself.
People treating me like I'm not a real person - that's
when I feel like I'm mentally handicapped."
Pupil and volunteer splash it up ai Huron Hope Nursery.
The Ability to Learn
All mentally handicapped people are capable of learning. For a few the challenge
may be no more than acquiring the basic necessities for survival. For some,
success will mean the ability to look after their own needs. But the vast majority
are only mildly handicapped and can progress through the existing school system,
or facilities such as South Huron & District Association’s Huron Hope nursery or
the ARC facilities.
Employment Opportunities
Most handicapped people want to be productive. And they want to contribute.
Proper training is essential. That’s what Dashwood’s ARC is all about.. Here they
learn the importance of being on time, keeping up with fellow workers, getting
along with people around them, operating different kirids of equipment. And when
they leave to go into the business world they go with a support system behind
them.
There are some, of course who have the same desire to be productive yet need a
more protective environment. At ARC this year they will produce $100,000. in
goods and services.
Community Living
A lot of handicapped people are leading fairly normal lives within the community.
Some live in private homes. Others live in group homes as illustrated on this
page. Still others graduate from the homes into apartment living situations.
SH&D Association’s Residence Committee is an active force in providing
residential opportunities in this area.
Quality patio furniture from the woodworking department at ARC.
Reducing the Odds
Their is no sure-fire method of preventing mentally handicapism. But research
has shown that parents can avoid some birth-related defects through sensible
living habits from the time of conception, throughout pregnancy and even after
the child is born. South Huron is diverting its emphasis to tell this story and
provide support when families first learn that mental handicapism is a personal
reality.
You can help us help them. This page gives you a glimpse of how, together, we do
this. Volunteers that serve on the committees and board of South Huron and
District Association for the Mentally Handicapped spend countless hours in these
endeavours. And on top of this they must raise funds at the local level. Thanks to
an army of volunteers and the excellent support of this area’s citizens the
Flowers of Hope campaign is one of the best in Ontario. This combination, then is
the recognition of basic human rights, and the understanding that mentally
handicapped people can contribute and share our activities and interests.
The question is not can they do it? rather are we going to let them?
Catching up on time in the Living Skills program at ARC.Enjoying a painting session in a special education class at JAD McCurdy school.
South Huron & District Association
For the Mentally Handicapped
Box 29 Dashwood
Prevention committee chairperson Ann Klungel and Dee Beuerman prepare educational kits.