NEWS photo Cindy Goodman

RICK KRUSEL (right) plays a game of computer backgammon on equipment donated by the Neil
Squlie Foundation and Lions Gate Hospital. Krusei, who has a high spinal cord injury, can work
the mouse on the computer with his mouth. Looking on are Neil Squire Foundation acting ex-
ecutive director Br. Gary Birch and Gary Lamour, president of LGH’s medical research foun-

dation.

BECAUSE SOMEONE CARED

A warm voice is just a call away

The following story, ‘written by

a North Shore resident, is part of a

“series undertaken by the Lionsview
. Seniors’: Planning Society to raise
awareness ‘of | seniors’: services
available on the North Shore. The

program is sponsored by a grant.

from the New Horizons. Program
of Health and Welfare. Canada.
For more information about the
society call 985-3852,

AS - THE. homemaker ° busied
herself making the bed, the stream
of talk from the bedroom door:
way flowed on.
She spoke up with a smile:
' “There, you're all done now, and
I must'be on my way.”’ ‘
“Can't you stay a bit ‘Jonger?
It's soo good to have someone to.
talk to, but you're always i in such
a. hurry,” the voice" from the

bedroom said.

“f know, and I’m sorry, but
there are a whole lot of others
who need help too, you know.
You must forgive me.”’

’ Yet as she spoke, the home-
maker was uneasy.

Poor soul, she thought, con-
fined. to a wheelchair, barely
making ends meet, and no one
around to care, apparently.

On an ‘impulse, she wrote down.

a number.

“I. must go, but why don’t you
give this number a call? It’s the
West Vancouver Seniors’ Centre.
They might be able to find some-
one to call you for a chat now and
then.”

‘ It took her several days of con-
flict before she could call. Pride

battled a yearning. . for human:
contact. -

But the warm voice on the
phone made it easy, and-soon the
words tumbled out, .

Soon, a. reassuring. daily call
from a soon-to-be familiar voice
became the highlight of the day.

Then came an invitation to visit

the Seniors’ Social Club.

However, that would call for a
ride with someone who could
manage a wheelchair.

A call to the One-Stop Seniors’
Line led to a solution, and the
Social Club visit put the lonely
senior in touch with several
’ others,

The West Vancouver. Seniois’
Centre is 922-4804, and the
Seniors’ One-Stop Line is 983-
3303. If one reader connects with
a lonely or isolated senior because

“of -this story, it will have been
worth telling.

Qe RN red ES PR) GD AE A

A-1 Ceramic & Craft

2S O88 SS ES Ged A

142 W. 16
983-0600

Christmas Gifts
Vases * Figurin

th Street N.Van

* Bathroom Accessories
es « Deco {tems

* Free classes *
* Warehouse prices *

* 10% Discount with coupon x

-© between 18 & 70 yrs. old

are you

® non-smoker

* use Ventolin 2-8 puffs daily

® good general health
Willing to participate in

anew drug test?
Call Asthma Study

984-2206

QE me SN ME CEN WER CRY A EN GTA TS MT HT an ws os?

Does it sometimes feel like you're sitting on the
sidelines when it comes to the federal election?
Here's your chance to help shape
the political agenda on the North Shore!
Leading up to the October 25th vote, we will be
featuring your comments in every issue
of the North Shore News. Look on page three for
our “Your Call” feature, and take this
opportunity to tell local politicians what you think
about the way the country is being governed!

Your Cali!
983-2208

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|Desktop Communication Centre

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THE VOICE OF NORTH AND WEST VANCOUVER

SUNDAY *WEDNESDAY - FRIDAY