north shore news ____ SUNDAY FOCUS _ NORTH Vancouver District Mayor Don Bell, West Vancouver District Mayor Pat Boname and North Vancouver City Mayor Jack Loucks show off their new Community Living Murats. lebratin ‘those with a disabi North Shore municipalities proclaim October as Community Living month Deana Lancaster News Reparter deana@nsnews.com THE opening of Barlynn House in Lyan Valley in 1984 unleashed a flood of anger, misgivings and tear. “Edon’t chink the neighbours were too happy.” said Peter Hawkins, a current staff member atthe residence, “P believe they started a petition.” Newspaper stories at the time reported the neighbours’ conceras about people with developmental disabilities moving onte their street and mito their communsiry. The North Shore Association for (NSAMPD) opened Barlvan Tranquille, a large insti tution near Kamdoops, Tranquille’s demise marked the beginning of a transition — trom housing people with disabilities in massive institutions where meallimes were set, bathtimes were sched: tiled, and outings were regimented, to placing them in small, neigh: bourhood houses, where direction, deci- sion making and responsibility rest mare with each indis dual, [t's called communi- ty living. . Hawkins was quick [aw - . : to point out thar when Paoto North Shore Association for the Mentally Handicapped Parents agreed to send LOSS Boone (centre), provincial minister their children to institu. for children and families, recently pre- tions in the first nvo- sented awards to Betty Huckfield (left) thirds of this century, and Marie Anderson for their participa- they really didn’t have — tion in community living programs. many choices available to them. “Ac that time, it was the best support available,” he said. Ce the Mentally Phindicapped “But we've come a long way since then,” said association dircetor of community and resource development Barbara Rodger. These days, Barlyny House, an unassuming multi-storey home with a beautiful garden, isa peacetidl hub of activity. Itserves as a residence for four women -— where they sleep, prepare for a House ins response to the closing off urals a reflection of N. Shore diversity Deana Lancaster NCHS opt e Fri Mi é SHE NLT N Reporter deanw@nusncws.con: ALL of us who live and work on the North Shore know that tt is a culeurally and cconomically diverse community. Mostotans colebrite Whatman. onus doi tire. nae fas have developrreniab dnsabititnes i) That fact October has been procaimed Copimeamity bis sree to givdade poopbe davgme aa ather wars vous that ter nearly falta century our gon people whe Month a all thiee. North Shore muniipalities, at the prosiab kevel and atthe tederal fevel Phe perpose or this month of recogmmon a net only to cekbrate the achievements and comtrbution af those among us with developmental dis absities Hos alse te promote turther inclusion tor them barher this month, people gathered fram across the North Shore at Lonsdale Quay ter the official celebration of community tiving. In addition to music. speeches, tood and drink, guests at the party gat the first peck at three Community Living mura, Artist’ Ted Harrison created the darge canvases, and while on display at Park Roval Shopping Centre, Capilano Mall and Lyan Valley Centre, the NEWS photo Brad Ledwidge municipalities. NEWS photo Mike Waketietd DELIVERING the News in Lynn Valley is an important part of the week for Jeff Westmoreland (left), and Byron Koombes (right). work, watch television, cook and cat meals, and do housekeeping and chores. Kathy Hemelspeck is one of the residents. She shares a downstairs apartment with her roommate, Sheila Weir. “P moved incon June 19, 1989. In the afternoon.” On Wednesday afternoon she was relaxing in front of the television. She'd already cleaned the kitchen, a chore she usually does Thursdays. But this Thursday she was to be working at her volunteer job at the North Shore Disability Resource Centre, and she likes to be organized, so she did it ahead of time. Hemelspeck enjoys life at Barlvan House. Its close to her work — where she does typing, filing, photocopying and now, a new job, “Tes the shredder,” she says with a gleant in her eve. She also likes that the house is close to the library and Evan Valley mall, and she gets along pretty well with her housemates. Of the three staff members who share shitts at the house, she said, “They're alright ... Edon’t know what to say, Peter, you're here.” She would say however, that they’re good cooks. And it’s clear, from just a half-hour conversation, that as with most families, the residents and staff at Barlynn House share laughter, fun, and of course, the odd household disagreement. public was able to paint and contribute to them, fventually, chev HE go on public display in cach of the three North Shore Route to self- reliance delivers Deana Lancaster News Reporter deana@usnews.com TENNIFER Abraham holds up the laminated sheet of paper. “We've get it all mapped out. We should: be able to do itn about an hour and a halt.” Abrahans isa staff member with the North Share Association for the Mentally Handicapped and) she’s talking about the North Shore News paper route she helps Jetf Westmoreland and) Byron Koontbes complete three dave aoweek ia Lean Valley. Tt may not seem like the career choice for everyone, but for Westmorchind and) Koombes every paper they deliver ts proof of their independence. “We have a lot or papers,” says Westmoreland, who is new te the job. “Two paper route carts fill.” Hes happy, too, because on this day the stints shining, “Sometimes we have to do it in the rain.” Westmoreland and: Koombes are just two chents| of North Shore Emplovarent Services, the arm of the NSAMED which assists 120) people look for work annually. It’s been along time coming, but many businesses recognize the value of emploving people who have devel- opmental — disabilities. Save-On Foods, Safeway, Rene Rey's Swiss Chocolate Factory, “The Keg and LCBC are just a tew of the businesses that employ clients of NS Emplovment Services. “Having a job gives them a sense of belonging, a sense of purpose and of accomplishment,” says NSES manager Bruce Waldie. “They are able to get up in the morning, take transit and go to work.” And perhaps most important: of all, and something many people take for yranted, working “gives them money. They can be a consumer and have less reliance on others in the community.