issue

fAll 2012

the
CE R E B R AL P ALS Y A S S O C I A T I O N O F B RI TI S H C O L U MB I A

WelcomE to Mr. Andy Yu

New President of CPABC
The Cerebral Palsy Association of BC (CPABC) is proud to announce the election of Mr. Andy Yu as the new President of the CPABC. We would like to thank Craig Langston for the wisdom and vision he has provided to CPABC over the past years. He will continue his involvement in the CPABC as Vice President. The transition will be an exciting time for the Association since Andy will bring a new perspective to the leadership of the Association. After being the Treasurer of the CPABC the past two years (since 2010), Andy comes to his new post with years of accounting, finance and business experience. He graduated from the University of British Columbia in 2002 with a Bachelors Degree in Commerce and a major in Accounting. He qualified as a Canadian Chartered Accountant in 2004 and subsequently obtained his CPA (Oregon) designation in 2007. Andy is currently an Executive MBA candidate at Simon Fraser University which he expects to complete in 2013. He was an audit manager at PricewaterhouseCooperss Vancouver office and is currently the Manager of Financial Planning and Analysis for Taseko Mines Limited. - a Canadian publicly listed mining company. We feel very grateful to have such a successful and highly qualified leader and know that the CPABC will be in wise, experienced, and loving hands going forward.

CPABC news

fall 2012

Presidents Words
It is my honour to be your new president for 2012-2013. Thank you to the CPABC Board for their support and especially to Craig Langston for his years of service as President. We will continue to benefit from Craigs involvement in CPABC in his new role of Vice President. After serving as Treasurer, for two years, I look forward to working with the Board, the Executive Committee and Feris team during my first term as President. As the holidays approach, I would like to reflect on the achievements of the past summer and fall, and look forward to our plans for the future: sons in 2012. This timely topic will warrant more attention in the future. Two of our board members, Craig Langston and Jonn Olldym, represent CPABC on the Coalition for Disabled Persons emergency planning committee. The work of CPABC is accomplished by our four capable part time staff, Feri Dehdar (Director of Programs and Administration), Ian Bushfield (Director of Development), Deirdre Stevens (Family and Individual Support Worker), and Wendy Hawryzki (Administrative Assistant) who put in 75 hours a week to keep things running smoothly. This is an exciting time for CPABC!! Looking into the future, our 4Rs Strategic Plan for the next three years aims to grow our influence and increase our services for our membership. Our 4Rs Strategy: It is my goal to implement the plan within the following timeframe:

2012-2013

Revitalize Reach Raise

2013-2014

2014-2015

Realize

The 159 participants on 42 teams

in the World CP Challenge logged enough steps to walk the diameter of the earth, raising $20,000 for CPABC! Many thanks to our Event Coordinator, Ian Bushfield. CPABC is proud to support the dreams of five inspirational students whose goals range from journalism to regenerative medicine through the Tanabe bursaries. Check out the profiles of these amazing young people in this newsletter. Nine people enjoyed summer fun and otherwise unattainable opportunities at camps thanks to Campership subsidies Presentations on Disability Awareness at local schools and colleges were well received. Thank you to Tammy van der Kamp for her years of service. CPABC is active in social media, maintaining a presence on Twitter, Facebook and our Webpage. Since Jan. 2012, the 670,000 hits on our webpage show the impact of this important outreach. Over the past year, we fielded 330 requests for information and referrals. We made two presentations on emergency preparedness for disabled per2

Revitalize

I invite you to discuss the 4Rs Strategic Plan during our next Open House in March 2013. As an affiliate of United Cerebral Palsy, an international organization, we will be adopting templates for our website to be consistent throughout the organization. Please consider this important work of improving the quality of lives of people living with cerebral palsy, and give generously to help us accomplish our mission. I wish each of you, and your families a relaxing, cosy and memorable Christmas and a prosperous New Year! Dont Stop Believing!!! Andy Yu, CA
President of Cerebral Palsy Association of BC

Reach Raise Realize

REVITALIZE! To invigorate the CPABC Board and Staff REACH! Connect with members and affiliates RAISE! To increase awareness of CP and CPABC in donor community and government REALIZE! After achieving the goals of Revitalize, Reach and Raise, we can REALIZE our vision for the CPABC

TO REVITALIZE . TO RAISE . TO REACH . TO REALIZE

Q&A

with Andy Yu President of the Cerebral Palsy Association of BC

Has strong government relationships Has diverse services for its members 5. What unique challenges do you see facing the CPABC in the years to come? Political - Decreased funding from the government will be a constant challenge. We must find ways to be less reliant on government funding. Economic The economy has not fully recovered from the global economic crisis of 2008. There is still lingering economic uncertainty that causes corporate and individual donations to be stagnant. Social I believe that there is still low social awareness of CP and the needs of people with CP. The CPABC must do a better job to increase this awareness. Technological The CPABC needs to take full advantage of the capabilities of social media such as Facebook and Twitter to connect with its members. Using these technologies will enable the CPABC to reach out not only to its members in the Lower Mainland but the rest of BC. 6. What do you see as being the purpose of the CPABC and how can we accomplish this? I still believe is the CPABCs mission: to raise awareness of CP in the community, to assist those living with CP to reach their maximum potential, and to work to see those living with CP realize their place as equals within a diverse society. I believe that this mission can be accomplished through our 4Rs (Revitalize, Raise, Reach and Realize) Strategic Plan. 7. Who is your leadership role model and why? I admire Franklin D. Roosevelt as a leader. As President he led the United States through the Great Depression and World War II despite having polio. His leadership is a good demonstration of the resiliency and courage of people with disabilities. 8. Who had the greatest influence in your life and why? The greatest influence in my life is my mom, Nedila Yu. As a child growing up with CP, she told me to face lifes adversities with strength and faith. She told me never to let set-backs discourage me, never believe anything is impossible and never lose faith in God. All I have to do is to my best and always reach for my full potential.

1. What led you to volunteer as a board member of the Cerebral Palsy Association? I came across the association, in 2008, when I Googled Cerebral Palsy in BC. Back then, I was facing discrimination due to my CP. I realized that the discrimination was a result of not having information on what CP is. I found that I knew little about CP myself. The CPABC website gave me the information I was seeking and I was able to educate myself. I decided to take a bigger role in the CPABC in 2010 by volunteering as Treasurer and Director after my mom, Nedila Yu, suddenly passed away in 2010. After her passing, I felt that it is now my turn to help others with CP to reach their potential and to realize their places as equals in a diverse society. I believe that serving as a board member of the CPABC empowers me to accomplish this mission. 2. What is the number one piece of advice you would give to someone with CP? Do your best! Dont stop believing in yourself! 3. What qualifications & skills do you feel you bring to the role of president of the CPABC? Through my education and professional experience, I believe that I am bringing an entrepreneurial perspective to the presidency role. I graduated from the University of British Columbia in 2002 with a Bachelors Degree in Commerce Major in Accounting and qualified as a Canadian Chartered Accountant in 2004. Subsequently, I obtained my CPA (Oregon) designation in 2007. I was an audit manager at PricewaterhouseCooperss Vancouver office. I am currently the Manager of Financial Planning and Analysis for Taseko Mines Limited., a Canadian publicly listed mining company. I am also currently an Executive MBA candidate at Simon Fraser University which I expect to complete in 2013. 4. What is your vision for the CPABC over the next three years? My vision for the Association for the next three years is for CPABC to be an organization that: Has a strong governance foundation Has a strong board of directors and officers Has skilled staff to serve its members Has strong member involvement and support Has strong relationships with community affiliates Has strong branding and value prepositioning Has strong donor/public awareness and support

CPABC news

fall 2012

Five

Bursary

Recipients for 2012!

My family is on welfare and has been for many years now. As a result, we have no significant financial resources to draw upon for my future educational or living expenses. bursary recipients Making changes one student at a time thats what your Cerebral Palsy Association of BC has been doing since 1994 with its bursary program which is open to any student, in BC, 18 years and older wishing to attend an institute of higher learning the following year. In 2008 the Kinsmen Foundation made a significant impact on this program, and students lives, by committing $50,000 over a five year period. We thank you Kinsmen for your most generous support! Four students received the Tanabe Bursary this year - $1,000 each, funded by the Kinsmen Foundation, and one student received $1,500 funded by the Burnaby Lions Club. The students came from all over BC: Kelowna, Campbell River, Maple Ridge, Victoria and Kamloops and were described as determined, motivated, responsible, committed and mature. These people are leaders and role models and we believe will be positive influences in the future. Cerebral Palsy family here are your 2012 Tanabe Bursary recipients! Eighteen year old Nathan Bragg is heading to Carleton University in Ottawa where he will be working towards his Bachelor of Journalism. His dream is to become one of the worlds first Paralympic journalists. Nathan you can fulfil that dream. Lane Chevriers chosen field of study is 4

psychology. At age 26 he is entering his second year of a university transfer program at Comosun College in Victoria. Lane wrote, I began to realize that long term prospect of low-skilled, low paying jobs far below my potential as being the only sort of work I am qualified for and in an endeavor to accelerate my life, I decided to go back to school. Way to go Lane! I want to be independent and successful in life, writes 19 year old Pramod Thapa, my goal is joining the ParaOlympics and my hope is to participate in skiing in the winter Olympics in Russia in 2014. But for now Pramod is keeping busy taking a mechanics course at Thomson Rivers University. We will be watching for you in 2014 Pramod!

onstrating her consistent persistence in overcoming the many physical barriers associated with furthering her education. She has maintained over an 80% grade point average while carrying a full course load and five labs. Dallas plans to pursue a Doctorate in Regenerative Medicine and Tissue Engineering and hopes to work in research using stem cells to grow organs for transplant. She is in her third year of studies in a joint program between UBC and BCIT Honours in Biotechnology. Dallas writes, I am very appreciative of the Cerebral Palsy Association of BC for having this money available for differently-abled youth like myself, so that we can further our education. This money has ensured I could pay for all my textbooks during my studies. Dallas we are proud of you. We are proud of ALL our bursary recipients, past and present. You dont see the obstacles or make excuses. You have goals and every intention of meeting them one determined step at a time. Your Cerebral Palsy Association of BC is behind you. We believe you can do it. Dont give up persevere!

Clayton March at UBC with his service dog

Nineteen year old Clayton March wrote, My (Bachelor of Arts) program will run eight months each year for approximately ten years. This is due to the fact that I will only be taking two courses each semester and therefore it will take an extended period of time to earn a degree. Claytons goal? - to become a certified youth counsellor. He is currently studying at the University of British Columbia Okanagan. One year at a time Nathan. You will do it! This is the third year 20 year old Dallas Bennett has received the Tanabe Bursary this time receiving $1,500, funds from the Burnaby Lions Club for dem-

Pramod Thapa and ski coach Jim Knowles

This picture was taken for a calendar in which the proceeds will go to Pramod to help further his skiing. One of his goals is to compete for Canada on the Canadian Alpine ski team.

TO REVITALIZE . TO RAISE . TO REACH . TO REALIZE

The World Cerebral Palsy Challenge

I really enjoyed the challenge. It felt really good to be doing something that supported what my sister has been living with her whole life. - received on survey The Cerebral Palsy Alliance held the first World Cerebral Palsy Challenge in Australia in 2010. After two very successful years, raising $140,000 in its first year and $487,000 in its second year, the Cerebral Palsy Alliance decided to expand the reach of the program and take the Challenge to an international audience. The start of this years World Cerebral Palsy Challenge coincided with the inaugural World Cerebral Palsy Day, September 4th, 2012. Teams from across Australia, Canada, and the United States participated. Next year, organizers hope to expand the Challenge to Singapore and India, supporting over 3 million people with cerebral palsy. I started working part-time with the Cerebral Palsy Association of BC in July, as the World CP Challenge Coordinator. My role consisted of working in coordination with organizers across Canada to promote the Challenge to individuals, corporations, and the media. The call for teams went out as soon as the registration opened. This was the first year the Challenge had been held in Canada, so I needed to spread the word as far and wide as possible. In addition to our email list of 650 people, I contacted over 200 different companies across Metro Vancouver. I contacted big corporations, banks, credit unions, other charities, gyms, personal trainers, medical professionals, physiotherapists, and anyone who might have an interest in getting active or supporting people living with cerebral palsy. To reward our team members, I also reached out to local sports teams. The Vancouver Canadians baseball team and BC Lions football teams generously donated tickets and autographed merchandise that I used to encourage people to register early, fundraise, and keep active throughout the Challenge. Near the start of the Challenge, I began putting together packages to mail out to each of our teams. Every team captain was sent at least four pedometers, as well as some information about cerebral palsy and our organization. As the Challenge kicked off, I continued to field technical questions about the website and pedometers -some questions had to go through our system administrators in Australia, while other issues were solved locally. I also made sure to keep our team members informed with regular emails encouraging them to continue walking and fundraising. Finally, as the Challenge wound to a close, I began counting the money that our intrepid fundraisers had brought in. I sent out a final survey and compiled the results for our board. Overall, people seemed to enjoy the inaugural World CP Challenge and plan to participate next year. Over the course of the first World Cerebral Palsy Challenge, in support of the Cerebral Palsy Association of Brit5 ish Columbia, I took nearly 235,000 steps and raised $700. For four straight weeks my trusty pedometer didnt leave my belt. Some days, like when I was on a road trip, I took a pitiful number of steps other days, when I would bike to and from work, I would put in tens of thousands of steps. The World CP Challenge definitely made me get active to make sure I would get my 10,000 steps in each day. For more information on the World CP Challenge go to www.worldcpchallenge.org BC Stats: Number of teams: 42 Number of participants: 159 Number of steps taken: 31.5 million, or roughly 12,000 km about the diameter of the Earth BC had the top two fundraising teams in Canada: Twin Peaks and BC CP Registry

By Ian Bushfield World CP Challenge Coordinator

CPABC news

fall 2012

New Family and Individual

I would like to introduce myself as the new Family and Individual Support Worker. I am thrilled about this opportunity to work with the Cerebral Palsy Association of BC and eagerly look forward to the road ahead. Originally from Colorado, I travelled to British Columbia as a student to attend Trinity Western University. I finished my BA in Psychology there in 2008 with a certificate in Human Services. For the last few years I have worked with marginalized women and children in my hometown of Steamboat Springs, CO as well as in Kampala, Uganda. Through these roles I have become deeply passionate about seeing indi-

Support Worker
viduals and communities fulfill their potential by gaining independence and being supported by appropriate services. While I understand that I am filling some big shoes stepping into a role that Tammy van der Kamp held for 10 years, I hope to add my personal touch to the position she built. This will be a new and exciting learning experience for me personally and professionally. I am excited about growing with the organization and providing the best possible support to families and individuals affected by CP. I would love to connect with those who receive our newsletter my current schedule has me in the office Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 to 5. Please feel free to e-mail me at supportworker@ bcccerebralpalsy.com or call me at 604-408-9484. Deirdre Stevens

Moving Right Along

In early Dec. your Cerebral Palsy Association of BC made the move from their eight floor office space, at Granville & Hastings in downtown Vancouver, to their third floor digs in the same building. They went from close to 1000 square feet to almost 700 - necessitating the shedding of some of their much appreciated, but oversized, donated office furnishings. Stay tuned for our next open house within the first few months of 2013!

IN APPRECIATION
I feel humbled and blessed when I can contribute to making a small change in someones life. Its a privilege and I value the opportunity to participate. A volunteer CPABC would like to THANK everyone who donates their time and energy to our Association. Board and office volunteers make a vital contribution and we acknowledge the countless ways in which each volunteer helps our members, our organization and our causes.

Did you know?

We are working with the Cerebral Palsy Association in Alberta to help us revitalize the 4Rs. They have spearheaded a national initiative to bring CP organizations together, and we are thrilled to be working with them and other Canadian CP organizations across Canada to create a life without limits for all.

Special Thanks to SAFEWAY!

Cerebral Palsy Association of BC would like to thank SAFEWAY for their generous donations of food and beverages to our 2012 AGM, held on September 13, 2012 at Bonsor Community Centre.

IN

MEMORIAM

CPABC extend sincere sympathy to all who have lost a loved one. We thank you for designating CPABC as the charity of choice to receive In Memoriam gifts. All contributions are truly appreciated and acknowledged.

Wishing you all a beautiful holiday season! All the best from the staff & Board of the CPABC
6

TO REVITALIZE . TO RAISE . TO REACH . TO REALIZE

CPABCs Tammy van der Kamp Moving

When Tammy van der Kamp started volunteering with the Cerebral Palsy Association of BC in 2002, no-one knew how significantly the lives of many British Columbians would be impacted. As a Social Service worker, fresh from Langara Colleges Social Service Certification course, Tammy brought with her a passion to help people living with CP to take their rightful place as citizens within a diverse society. Tammy credits her drive to empower others to her upbringing: one of six children, the only one with a disability, she was expected nonetheless to contribute to the familys successful functioning. Her able-bodied siblings were expected to help with her care, as well. This clear example of give-and-take taught Tammy early on that human beings are interdependent, and that we all need help, all the time. This realization freed her from the stigma that our society so often attaches to asking for help. With that freedom came the understanding that the power to ask for help was closely tied to the power to live life to the fullest. But growing up, Tammy saw that many of her peers living with CP did not have that freedom, or the ability to articulate and speak out for their needs. Who would speak up for those people? What could be done to help them to live up to their potential? Tammys determination to help empower those living with a disability informed her role as Family & Individual Support Worker for the CPABC over the next several years. Her job crossed the full spectrum of social work everything from information and referral to exploring obscure funding options for mobility and communications equipment when her client fell outside the eligibility cri-

On

teria of the usual sources. She learned how easily a person living with the challenges of CP can fall through the cracks, simply because theyve reached a certain age, or reside outside a particular geographic area. She has participated in emergency interventions, has directed families through the maze of bureaucracy that accompanies the transition from high school to adulthood, has helped people to find affordable accessible housing, apply for Persons With Disabilities benefits and has been the liaison between a new parent lacking the skills to successfully advocate for their child with CP. Tammy has also been the sympathetic ear for the devastated mother who calls the CPABC after her child has been diagnosed with CP and by revealing that she herself lives a full and worthwhile life, even with CP, shes been able to offer hope to that parent. Beyond offering simply a glimmer of hope for normalcy, Tammy aspired to change the attitudes that assume normalcy is a worthwhile goal. The desire to confront this fundamental attitudinal barrier in its earliest stages of gestation fueled the development of the Cerebral Palsy Associations Disability Awareness Presentation Program for elementary schools, Disability As Diversity. The Program took Tammy and her PADS Service Dog Breeze, along with an assistant, into many Lower Mainland elementary schools. Over a three year period, Tammy brought the kid-friendly CPABC message of disability as an aspect of human diversity to more than 5,000 school children. As a person living with a disability, Tammy knows firsthand how difficult it can be to overcome some obstacles and that the more weapons in the arsenal, the greater the power to fight these

obstacles - and the greater the power, the higher the likelihood of implementing changes at the societal level. A desire to work change behind the scenes, at these foundational and structural levels, is behind Tammys decision to resign her position as CPABCs Family & Individual Support Worker to pursue her degree in Social Work. My work with the Cerebral Palsy Association has been most rewarding, Tammy maintains, but in order to really make a difference for more people I have to get my degree. The Cerebral Palsy Association of BC has been greatly enriched by Tammys tenure here. We extend our heartfelt thanks, and wish her every success in this latest endeavor.

CPABC news

fall 2012

Exercise? Yoga?
Now, more than ever before your membership will help to :

But I have Cerebral Palsy!

The good news, according to Robyn Emde, occupational and yoga therapist, is that movements can be learned even if you have cerebral palsy. Robyn was the featured guest speaker at this years Annual General Meeting of the Cerebral Palsy Association of BC on Sept. 13, 2012. Yoga meets the person where he is at and allows him to explore his own movement and physical structure where he may feel pain, tension, restriction and or instability, explained Robyn. Yoga therapy will create improved tolerance for movement, range, strength, stamina and endurance. To reinforce this point Robyn presented a video success story featuring one of her clients an 11 year old young lady with CP. The video chronicled how over a three month period she gained flexibility, concentration, muscle strength and tolerance for weight bearing with just one, one hour session per week amazing! Improved movement improved function these benefits are available to everyone. Robyn offers workshops, group classes and one- on- one private sessions. Check out her website at www.yogabilitytherapy.com or email her at robyn@ yogabilitytherapy.com. Funding is available through the At Home Program, extended medical, etc. Why not give Robyn a call today - her number is 778-989-3847 - and start reaping the many benefits of yoga therapy!

REALIZE EQUALITY IN A DIVERSE SOCIETY!

Become a Member today!

Membership fee: $20 Donaon: I would like to make a donaon to support the services and programs of the Cerebral Palsy Associaon of BC. Income tax receipts are only issued for donaons of $10 or more, unless requested.

$100
My choice:

$75

$50

$25

Method of Payment: I have enclosed a cheque payable to the CPABC or: Visa # Expiry Date Name on Card Todays Date Signature Please mail to: Cerebral Palsy Associaon of BC 801-409 Granville Street Vancouver, BC V6C 1T2
(Charitable Registraon Business Number 10690 4204 RR0001)

VOLUNTEER BOARD MEMBERS

ANDY YU, CA President & Interim Treasurer CRAIG LANGSTON Vice President CAROL STINSON Secretary RONALD BLACKMORE TERREANE DERRICK TONY KRUSE JONN OLLDYM

STAFF
FERI DEHDAR Director of Programs & Administraon IAN BUSHFIELD World CP Challenge Coordinator WENDY HAWRYZKI Administrave Assistant
Please recycle this Roundtable by passing it along to someone else!

Cerebral Palsy Associaon of Brish Columbia 330-409 Granville St. Vancouver, BC V6C 1T2 Phone: 604.408.9484 Toll-Free (Enquiry CP): 1.800.663.0004 Fax: 604.408.9489 Email: [email protected] Oce Hrs: 9 AM to 5PM, Monday to Thursday

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
WENDY HAWRYZKI & DIANNA PLOURDE

DEIRDRE STEVENS Family & Individual Support Worker