RIIA TALVE

Tell me a bit about yourself?

I’m the oldest of three children, born at Children’s Hospital in Vancouver, B.C., in 1985.  I spent the first seven months of my live in the special care nursery.

At birth I wasn`t breathing properly.  I weighed in at 1lb 13 oz.  I lived in an incubator, on oxygen, and experienced a Grade 3 Brain Haemorrhage, which caused my learning disabilities.  As I grew up I began to follow many rituals, where it would feel like something bad is going to happen and I’m totally freaked out and I would do whatever I had to to get rid of the feeling.

Elementary and High School experiences were not good.  Being segregated from “Normal” children, being housed in Social learning rooms, made me feel like an outsider.  I was always put into an integrated art class.  Generally my school experience was determined by others; I never had a say, kind of like being a slave based on their opinions of my abilities.  That bothered me the most.

I sat across the hall from the grade 7 classroom whose students organized and ordered the graduation sweatshirts.  Our class was not included in being allowed to purchase one.  I wrote a letter and the principal was so touched by my letter that he read it to the teachers at a staff meeting.  One of the teachers gave me her t-Shirt.  It didn`t have my signature on it though.

I began drawing at an early age and have continued drawing and painting into adulthood.  My artwork is a reflection of me and my life experiences.  I have had several art showings and have been interviewed by Breakfast Television and Global TV, including local community interviews and solo art showing.

I lived at home with my family until March of this year (2011).  I qualified to move into my new home in Surrey as part of a pilot project between CLBC, BC Housing and Spectrum Society.

The Vancouver Sun featured an article, “Poster girl for handling developmental disabilities“ Thursday, September 30^th, 2010.

I attended Emily Carr University of Art and Design, studying painting and fine arts for four years, graduating in 2008.  It was my artwork that qualified me to attend this university.  In art, one of my strengths is my self portraits, a symbolic metaphoric view.  Showing what it is like to experience OCD; also my art allows me to embrace who I am.

In 2005 my story was featured in a publication, “Success Stories from the Frontline, Intellectual Disabilities and Mental Health.”

Presenting my story

I was invited to speak at the Health & Wellbeing in Children, Youth, and Adults with Developmental Disabilities:  Autism, Intellectual Disabilities and Other Neurodevelopmental Disorders Conference on October 1^st, 2010.   I presented to approximately 100 delegates the closing plenary:  A Life through Images. I received a standing ovation.

I attended the conference, displaying and selling my artwork.

I really enjoy public speaking and I have prepared a presentation that includes both my life story and a selection of artwork.

In June this year I will be speaking to CLBC (Community Living B.C.) staff in Surrey, once again sharing my story.   This will be my third presentation.   Besides my art, I realize that I have story that will inspire people and show them that if you have disabilities that you can do anything.  Look at me!  It is awesome to do the three things I love, art, public speaking and helping others.  People in the mental health community; doctors and nurses tell me that they love my speeches because they learn from my personal experiences that which cannot be learned from a text book.

In March 2007 I was featured in the Infocus newsletter, a monthly newsletter published by the Fraser Health Authority, entitled,” Artist is a shining example of Success Stories from the Frontline”

I had the pleasure to meet Robert Bateman in 2005.  I was able to show him my art portfolio.  He praised my art and presented me with an autographed copy of his 2006 Contest Calendar.  It was a real thrill.

Blue Hat 4

I met Jane Seymour in Victoria in 2009.  I contacted Jane’s web designer requesting a meeting who in turn contacted Jane’s publicist who contacted Jane who agreed to the meeting.    She autographed my copy of “Jane Seymour, Making Yourself at Home“  It was really neat meeting her she is one of the nicest people I`ve met, very down to earth.  Very nice!  We had our own private interview.

One piece of my artwork is displayed at Children’s Hospital in Vancouver and The Canadian Red Cross owns one piece.

Scarlet headband

I learned CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) which allowed me to identify what kinds of thoughts were related to OCD and what thoughts would be considered normal.  This allowed me to have greater control over my feelings and what I did about them.  While I still have OCD it no longer controls every aspect of my daily living.  I can recognize it and most often control the impulses.

I currently have approximately 30 original acrylic paintings and limited edition prints available for sale.  Check out my links below!

Now I`m 25 and what I really would like to do is to continue public speaking, telling my story, show my art, particularly within the mental health field in conferences, hospitals and colleges and university.

Yes, I have been through a lot of stuff.  You can complain about it or do something about it.  I want to make a difference through my art and stories to help others.

If I could change one thing……

It would be to help as many people as I could to give people better insight into what it’s like to have a disability but more importantly how to treat us.  Focus on what we are good at.  It interests me that people in third world countries are not given opportunities.  One day I would like to help people overseas.   Mental health care is a lowest priority in third world countries.   Being able to see a woman who has been through so much would be inspiring and helpful as women with disabilities in these countries are not educated.

I would like to break the stigma of people with disabilities.

People can reach me, see my art, purchase my art and book me to speak at their next convention, lecture, or in-house training at:

http://riiatalve.blogspot.com/

www.rtalv.com

Spectrum is hosting David Pitonyak – Supporting People with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder on September 26, 2011 – 9am to 4pm – Centre for Peace – 1825 West 16^th Avenue, Vancouver

You can register online at: http://davidpitonyak.eventbrite.com/

BCACL is hosting Peter Block – Everyone Belongs: Learning to Lead Authentic Conversations on October 6, 2011 – 9am to 4pm – Maritime Labour Centre, 1880 Triumph Street (off Victoria Drive)

http://www.bcacl.org/whats-new/community-building-workshop-peter-block-everyone-belongs-learning-lead-authentic-conversat

And Spectrum is hosting Mary Kealy – A Story of Successful Agency Transformation to Individualised, Person-Centred Supports in Ireland

October 26, 2011 – 9am to 4pm – Heritage Hall, 15^th and Main, Vancouver.

You can register online at: http://marykealy.eventbrite.com/

There are two upcoming opportunities to participate in Michael Kendrick’s Optimal Individual Service Design (OISD) – an intensive two week course that mixes lectures and direct person-centred planning and proposal development to provide people with an in-depth understanding of planning for and serving people in ways that respect their dreams, strengths and vulnerabilities.

October 31 to Nov 4 and November 28 to December 2^nd, 2011 in Vernon BC

See the linked flyer here for more information – and you can contact Garry Molitwenik at garry.molitwenik@nocls.com

In January 2012, Spectrum is hosting the OISD workshop for people in the Lower Mainland: January 9^th to 13^th and January 30^th to February 3^rd, 2012.  Write to aaron@spectrumsociety.org for more information.

Asked to write a composition entitled, “What I’m thankful for on Thanksgiving,” a student wrote, “I am thankful that I’m not a turkey.”

”Best of all is it to preserve everything in a pure, still heart, and let there be for every pulse a thanksgiving, and for every breath a song”
Konrad Van Gesner

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 Thanksgiving  Hostess

I’m thankful for the linen pressed

The veggies cooked the turkey dressed

With love we share the legs and breast

We’re hopeful that it all digests

I’m thankful for my special guests

My friends and family – truly blessed

With bellies full and thoughts expressed

Our hearts are warm and now we rest

 By Jacki Scallion

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 “Gratitude is the inward feeling of kindness received. Thankfulness is the natural impulse to express that feeling. Thanksgiving is the following of that impulse”

Henry Van Dyke

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 Rye Bread Stuffing Recipe

Swapping rye for the usual white bread adds something intriguing to stuffing. There’s still that wonderful contrast between the crisp, browned bread on the top and the soft pieces moistened with stock or broth below, but there is an undercurrent of warm, almost spicy sweetness. As with all stuffings, the better the bread you use, the better the final dish will be, so buy a good bakery loaf. Regular rye bread has some wheat but if you have intolerance like me you can buy rye bread without wheat (available at Joyce Bakery).

Ingredients

• 1 (1-pound) unsliced loaf rye bread, cut into 1-inch chunks
• 1 teaspoon caraway seeds
• 1 stick unsalted butter, divided
• 3 cups chopped celery
• 2 Golden Delicious apples, peeled and chopped
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 5 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 2 cups chicken stock or reduced-sodium chicken broth

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350°F with racks in upper and lower thirds.

Toast bread chunks in two 4-sided sheet pans in oven until lightly browned, about 15 minutes, then transfer to a large bowl. Leave oven on.

Meanwhile, cook caraway seeds in 6 tablespoons butter in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium-high heat, stirring, until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add celery, apples, onion, garlic, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and sauté until vegetables are softened and starting to brown, 12 to 15 minutes. Add stock, scraping up any brown bits. Add mixture to bread cubes, tossing to coat.

Transfer to a 3-quart baking dish and dot with remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Bake, uncovered, in upper third of oven until stuffing is crisp on top, about 45 minutes – and/or stuff your turkey.

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Give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way.  ~Native American Saying

By: Jacki Scallion

Gary and his pilot arrive in Quesnel BC

A ride anyone!

A fine hunting trip!

Gary and Yasemin checking out Barkerville

A Hillbilly Hoedown in Roberts Creek

James enjoys a pie eating contest at the Hillbilly Hoedown

If a web search notices a thousand people in a single city search for information on headache relief, could a proactive public community help by projecting a possible flu outbreak?

This generation will be part of the dialogue on how this creates a new level of community responsibility around information, and a new way to deal with threat from an abuse of information.

It’s easier than ever to make an open source call out for support to make something happen.  Asking for feedback from diverse groups, experts, and celebrities can happen quickly and almost instantly. Virtually everyone has the ability to become the founder of an organization very quickly.

The tools will change :

• Stringent barriers, grants & complex applications  will begin to be replaced by supplementing those working towards a cause with open source tools, professionals looking to volunteer, and simpler start-up investments.

• Hierarchies will be begin to see more of an effort towards enlisting peers and crowds to be a part of decision making processes. Young organizations will begin to do away with top-down titles: less CEO’s, Executives, Boards, and this or that and more community moderators, facilitators, and investors to enlist and support communities.

Small active projects will become worth more than a hundred hours in the boardroom.

Today, people can have a real-time portfolio of their thoughts, community contributions, talents, references & interests.  It shows a better description of who they are and where they are going.

Having to prove one’s self using an identical document seems pale in comparison to what we can do with online presence. Perhaps the webpage will be the new resume?

One of the neat things about people is that it is easier than every to for everyone to contribute and collaborate on an idea.   In fact what you are a reading right now was sourced by inviting a people through social networks to participate their thoughts on an article.  Dozens on people contributed to an open source document on the web, shaping both the answer and the questions to what the future on community engagement will look like.

It is an exciting time.  What will this mean for all people in the world’s communication web?   It will certainly mean that lessons from far and wide will be able to be shared with people near to us.

Words by Jules Andre-Brown

Illustrations by Jillian Aquino

Introducing Claire Lila Woollacott

Sarah and Doug Woollacott are proud to introduce the newest member of their family, Claire Lila Woollacott.  Claire was born on August 16th, 2011, weighing 6 lbs 4 oz.

Congratulations Sarah and Doug!

Daily Thoughts from Jean Vanier
Besides being the founder of L’Arche, Jean Vanier is a 21st century writer and social visionary and recipient of many humanitarian awards including the Companion of the Order of Canada. MacLean’s Magazine calls him “a Canadian who inspires the world.” In a number of best-selling books, Jean Vanier reflects profoundly on what it is to be fully human in our world today.

These short inspirational passages delivered to your email box each day will take less than a minute to read and will help give balance, perspective and spiritual depth to your day. They will be drawn largely from Vanier’s best selling books. These include Becoming Human, Finding Peace, Community and Growth and Made for Happiness.

You can subscribe bv following this link: http://www.larche.ca/en/education/eletters

The Spectrum Newsletter is meant to be one of communication tools that helps employees, people we support and their families keep in touch with Spectrum and the activities in Community Living across the Province.  Some other ways that you can keep up-to-date with Spectrum are to join us on Facebook, Follow Spectrum on Twitter, Subscribe to the 101 Friends Newsletter or drop in to the office for a visit.

Every few months there is a workshop or training event that is open to public participation (sometimes with a fee) and you can check our website for more information on these events.  David Pitonyak is in town at the end of September and there is a workshop on September 26, 2011 on Supporting People with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.  Registration information is available online here.

Many thanks to our Summer Picnic Team that planned and hosted a great summer picnic this year at Trout Lake.  Their Italian theme, with sausages on the BBQ and bruschetta on toast, made for some great picnic flavours.

Our thanks to Allisen, Chad, Sterling, Larry, Amy R, Amy T, Patti and Mary who are pictured below.  Stephen, Susan W and Barb were great helpers as well.

Picnic Planning Committee

"What happens in Whistler stays in Whistler

Jenny, Virgie and George took a trip to Whistler in June with Geraldine, Carlos and Jacki.

They enjoyed eating out, visiting galleries and walking around. They stayed at the luxurious Pan Pacific Hotel and had a great time relaxing in the outdoor hot tub with the fabulous mountain view.

Grace, Jayson, Cesar and Nenita Talabis ~ Cranbrook 2010

The Talabis family packed up their belongings and together they travelled from Manitoba to British Columbia in search of a better life for their son Jayson when he was a child.   Jayson experiences Autism.  Jayson lived in his family home in Manitoba with his mom Nenita, dad Cesar and his sister Grace.   Jayson loves his sister Grace and his personality shines through in his relationship with her.  She understands him best.  They have always had a special bond.

Jayson moved into a residential resource operated by Gateway Society, in Ladner B.C. when he was 17 years of age.  Gateway behavioral support services were part of a provincial non-profit agency that was amalgamated with Sources BC in 2010.  The Gateway program was a fit for Jayson, it offered him private living quarters and a predictable schedule.

Jayson had difficulties in the later part of his elementary school experience.  There were lots of changes in the support he received.  Moving from 1:1 staff support to 1:3 staff support, coupled with a change in Principal made it more challenging for Jayson.  Jayson attended Seaquam High School in Delta and successfully graduated at the age of 18.  Following his graduation he entered the Provincial Resource Program for persons with Autism at Delta Secondary through the Gateway program for one extended year while he transitioned into adult services.     The teachers were really good with Jayson.

The Gateway residential program in Ladner, B.C. supported children and adolescents and now that Jayson was an adult he needed to move into the community.  He moved into three different shared living arrangements.  His second shared living home lasted the longest, 11 months, and then he had an outburst and consequently was hospitalized for 2 weeks. There were no other shared living arrangements available; no one was willing to take Jayson due to his behaviours.    A private dwelling in Gateway worked really well but was no longer a resource due to his age.

Jayson was moved into a large group home with many other residents.  The thinking behind the move was that Jayson could model after other residents.  This did not work as everyone in the house exhibited challenging behaviours.   With so many residents there was no individual time for Jayson.  Next it was suggested that Jayson could move to Willow Court, an institution in Burnaby.   This was not a viable option.  The family did not want their son institutionalized.

Each time Jayson moved his behaviours escalated causing him to be hospitalized and medicated with psychotropic drugs.  His behaviour became more aggressive which created an unsafe environment for his family and caregivers.  This was the chaos that was created by having Jayson live with other individuals who also have high needs.

Jayson was sent to the Provincial Assessment Centre (PAC) which is mandated to provide multi-disciplinary mental health services for referred individuals ages 14 and up with a developmental disability and a concurrent mental illness, or behaviour issue.  The family believed that Gateway had been providing these services all along but learned that Jayson was sent to PAC from Gateway each time he required assessment services.

CBI Consultants primarily provides behavioural support services. CBI Consultants also  consult in the areas of: transition planning, individualized vocational planning, developing person centered support structures (i.e. housing options), developing peer relations/social networks, and family/lifestyle planning was contracted with to provide behavioural assessment and support for Jayson.  A new residential service provider was found and together with the support of CBI consultants Jayson moved into yet another home with 2:1 staffing.  The family were no longer included or encouraged in their son’s life.  Jayson continued to spin out of control.  Serious incidents occurred and people were being injured, he was receiving PRN’s twice daily and he was in and out of hospital.

Jayson’s quality of life did not exist.  He was being sent to the hospital sometimes 3 times each week. Their son was in crisis.  Cesar said, “I broke down, seeing my son in an isolation room.  No parent wants to see their child like that.”

As parents, they were no longer welcomed in their son’s home.     Jayson’s parents are great advocates and began searching for help for their son.  They approached the Family Support Institute,  and spoke with Jane Holland, The Advocate for Service Quality and their local MLA.  They were referred to Spectrum Society by Linda Perry of Vela Microboard.

Cesar and Nenita met with Millie Beckel, Associate Director and Ray Hunter, Associate Director and Intake Coordinator from Spectrum Society for Community Living.  Ray and James Chamberlin, Program Coordinator went to observe Jayson in his home environment and crafted a proposal for services to CLBC which was accepted.

Jayson joined the Spectrum family in September 2010.  A team, consisting of a roommate and 1:1 staff was created to support Jayson and in November Jayson moved into his own home in Surrey.   The support of CBI continued and has been a valuable resource for Jayson and his team.  Jayson has settled into his new home environment.  His family is welcome and included in the team.  Spectrum invited Jayson’s parents to attend a seminar they hosted with Dr. David Pitonyak, entitled, “Beyond Behaviours – Supporting Competence, Confidence and Well-being” last year in September and were included in a two day Mandt training session in March of this year (Mandt is Spectrum’s choice of a methodology for non-violent crisis intervention training as it focuses on team-based shared strengths building and communication)  providing them with new skills and new understanding about positive ways to support their son.  This has been valuable.

In the few months Jayson has been with Spectrum the difference is amazing.  The openness to communication and the involvement of the family is valued.  There is a log in the home that family can read and they know and are involved with what is happening in their sons’ life.    Nenita said, “Everyone working with Jayson knows what is going on and this is major. The least amount of people involved coupled with a high degree of consistency and predictability is necessary to effectively support our son. “

Jayson has moved forward from always being angry and bored to a man who needs to change his schedule to accommodate his busy lifestyle.

He allowed staff to rework his schedule which was another milestone.  He is on public transit, sky train four times each week; he has a paying job and a significant increase in language. Nenita says, “His problem is still there but he is no longer in crisis but it is still there in potential, enough time has not elapsed.  The environment is stable and if something were to change all would be lost.   It is scary, they are helping me and my family and my son.  He no longer goes in an ambulance up to 3 times a week, no longer requires lengthy hospitalizations.  Now we are repairing damages, weaning Jayson off unnecessary medications which ironically contributed to his behaviours and created health concerns in the first place.”

Nenita says, “There will be no more changes or moves for our son in the foreseeable future.  Finally after 14 residential moves over 7 years, countless ambulance trips, hospitalizations, psychotropic medications, staff changes and years of hardship our son now has a quality of life that he is directing and enjoying.  2006 was the last time he rode the sky train as he was having difficulties boarding and unloading.  He now takes the sky train 4 times a week. It is very much a case of if its working don’t change it.

Nenita added “The care provided by Spectrum honours the individual.  Services are tailor- made to support the needs of the individual.  Family is valued and their participation in their loved one’s life is encouraged.”

By Richard Louis

Richard and Paul in Seattle

Good news!

I just got back from Seattle, Washington; I was gone for 3 days last Saturday July 30th.  I went with Patrick, Spectrum Society key worker, Ryan Kearns, my new key worker on Mondays and Paul. Paul Tymkiw is Spectrum Society friend. Patrick drove the Ford explorer truck. We had to be at the Peace Arch Border very early in the morning before 7:00am. It was not a very busy morning but we were a little bit delayed. We managed to get our passports at Peace Arch Border. We stayed at Hotel Monaco in Downtown Seattle. It had very nice clean facility. I got my own hotel room. It was was 417. I am independent, no one bothers me. I can handle it. While we got our luggage we settled in. We took the underground transit from University station to Stadium station.  We went to see the Seattle Mariners baseball game home-stand against the Tampa Bay Rays at Safeco Field.   Luckily we got there at around 1:05.   I bought Ichiro baseball program for $5.00 and Seattle Mariners yearbook/magazine including year in review for $3.00. In addition, we managed to buy the Seattle Mariners hat at Safeco Field.   I had tender chicken strips with sprinkle fries at Safeco Field baseball game.   We went to Seafair parade near Hotel Monaco in Downtown Seattle.  I stayed until 10:15pm.   Luckily I saw Alaska airlines flight attendants.  They were very pretty ladies. Seattle Seahawks Seagals were there also, Seattle Police Department were there, Seattle Firefighters, Pirates invaded us. Luckily they shot the loud rocket ship missile launcher.   We had low alcohol orange soda and more grape soda. Luckily I didn’t get drunk this time, and KIRO TV was also there at Seafair parade. That was a very good turnout at Seafair parade in Downtown Seattle. I bought a Seafair magazine. Then I went to Pike Place Market.  I had a nice brunch/lunch at Lowell’s Restaurant which opened in 1954.   I had a big bowl of clam chowder, grill chicken with bacon sandwich including fries also coca cola. I couldn’t finish my lunch because it was very big portion.   Later at 2:30pm we went to Quest Field home of the Seattle Seahawks which was not far from Safeco Field and near the loud subway station.   I didn’t tell you that I saw many American out-of-towners from Atlanta, Georgia, Orlando, Florida, Houston, Texas, Chicago, Illinois, Mile High City, Colorado, Portland, Oregon, no Canadians.

While we went to Quest Field tour, two tour guides accompanied us with a group that included people from London, England and Las Vegas, Nevada; also Seattle locals attended as well.  We saw the Seagals change room, good news.   I ran inside the Seattle Seahawks helmet, the Seattle Seahawks players past and present, the coaches history past and present, the Seattle Seahawks flashback memories of the playoffs and how the years went by. We also went inside and outside where the Seattle Seahawks and Seattle Sounders grass turf surface because it is real grass and nice surface.   While we took a nap I watched TV.   Later I went out to Red Lobster in Lynnwood and I had a wild new shrimp with seafood including broccoli, mash potato, caesar salad, and two cups of raspberry lemonade. I also went to the bar at Top of the World. I stayed up very late night between 2:30am.  I bought the Seattle Seahawks hoodie with Seattle Seahawks cap at So Do’s sports place. It is a very huge store with lots of sports caps including jerseys, t-shirts, and jackets. We also went to Capitol Hill I had scramble skillet with salad. I also bought Seattle postcards for $25.00. Seattle, Washington was sunny and very hot.   It was 23 degrees. It was cloudy in the morning and sunny in the afternoon. I also went to Hotel Monaco bar and had a glass of lemonade.  I had a nice BC Day long weekend at Seattle, Washington.