Sunday, August 26, 1990 - North Share News ~ 29 a With Wisabilities Rehabilitation service available North Shore therapists help clients to maximize independent living skills A COMMUNITY-BASED rehabilitation service has been provided by occupational thera- pists and physiotherapists for the past 15 years. The North Shore service was initiated by the Victorian Order of Nurses and is currently part of the Home Care program of the North Shore Health, serving the needs of local residents of al! ages who are experiencing temporary or perma- nent disability. The physio and occupational therapists work to enable clients to maximize an independent state of being and living in the areas of self care, work and play. Recently there has been an ex- plosion in the health care equip- ment field and therapists can assist with appropriate selection. For short-term: use or trial use, the Red Cross operates foan cup- boards in North Vancouver; tele- phone 988-7115, in West Van- couver, 922-4125, Anyone considering second- hand purchase or wanting to sell an item no longer in use can list, free of charge, with the Equip- ment Registry run by a group of Vancouver seniors. Telephone 324-3670. It is often wise to consider trial rental of large expensive items be- fore purchasing them. North Shore rental firms and some pharmacies have some equipment available. Anyone who spends more than an hour a day in a wheelchair needs to have a chair of the cor- rect size and with proper cush- ioning or ‘‘seating.”” The chair options and extras can provide customers with considerably im- proved quality of life and prevent ocally secondary medical conditions from developing. Power chairs and scooter-type vehicles are a great mobility vehi- cle but need to be selected as carefully as a new car. A physician's referral is needed to obtain treatment or consulta- tion from the North Shore Health, Home Care physio and occupa- tional therapists. Disabled people find some labels offensive From page 27 with, gimp, deaf as a post, deaf and dumb, and falling on deaf ears. Says the report: ‘‘Organizations of disabled persons agreed with this list, but added one other word: special.’ How does Horton feel about ‘‘physically challenged,’? a euphemism being used more fre- quently to describe individuals with disabilities? “I haven't really come to a conclusion yet,’ she says. ‘‘‘Phys- ically challenged’ reminds me of high school track and field train- ing.”’ In her opinion, the term is used more appropriately to refer to anyone who is challenging his or her own personal limits, regardless of being disabled. A non-disabled athlete might be physically challenged by a more gruelling marathon than she has previously trained for, while Horton may consider herself physically challenged by the task of vacuum- ing her apartment. The cumulative effect of the use of demeaning language is very teal, says Horton, affecting peo- ple’s attitude towards the disabled and the self-image of people who have disabilities. “You get assumptions (from people) that if you’re using a cane or using a wheelchair, you've got a hearing disabilizy or a com- prehensional disability, too,’’ Horton rued. And it’s important that people with disabilities think well enough of themselves that they can iden- tify and battle such mispercep- tions. ‘*‘Certainly it’s a two-sided Mothers’ March helps disabled SUMMERTIME. Blue skies, warm nights and drives through the country. These are a few of Anne Cowper’s favorite things. She also enjoys shopping and needlework. But Anne Cowper of North Vancouver faces more daily challenges than most of us. Cowper has cerebral palsy. Prior to 1983, Cowper used an alphabet board for communica- tion because she finds it difficult to speak. She now uses a special communicator provided to her by the Kinsmen Rehabilitation Foun- dation, of British Columbia (KRF of B.C.)" Cowper operates this device by punching in letters which the communicator then prints out. Association raises funds THE NORTH Shore Association for the Mentally Handicapped will be taking to the streets Sept. 17 to 24 in a door-to-door bid to raise operating funds. The North Shore association, which serves only North Shore residents, assists those with mental handicaps to achieve their fullest potential and as independent a lifestyle as possible. According to resource coordinator Pamela MacDonald, 30 per cent of the association’s funding must be made up through fundraising efforts in order to continue to provide a wide range of client services. During the September fundraising period, 900 canvassers will volun- teer their time to visit North Shore homes. PARA-MED HEALTH SERVICES Available to you: Private, fully supervised nursing and homemaking services offering the highest quality of home care. Our private care staff work night and day, and as a result of their efforts a lot of people are able to cope better and live more comfortably in their own surroundings. Call us for a free in-home confidential assessment. i.) { 7 para-med HEALTH SERVICES NORTH SHORE 987-2446 Employment Enquiries Welcome Kinsmen Mothers’ March dollars made it possible for the KRF to help Anne. The KRF will faunch the 39th annual Mothers‘ March Jan. 15-31, 1991. Dollars raised help the Kinsmen Rehabilitation Foundation provide equipment and services to children and adults throughout B.C. with physical disabilities. Anne Cowper of North Van- couver faces a few more challenges than most, and has overcome more challenges than most. {f you would like further in- formation on the KRF or are in- terested in becomizg a volunteer, please call 736-8841. Brunch Becomes Something Savoury Something Sweet Wheelchair PL han RESTAURART 445 13th St., W. Van. 926-8922 coin,’’ Horton noted. ‘We can’t say it’s’ all the media’s fault, because it’s not. We have a role to play, too. We have to work together on it.”’ As president of the North Shore Association for the Physically Handicapped, Horton’ believes there is some work to be done on the home front as well: ‘We know that ‘handicapped’ should not be in our name, and changing our name is becoming a higher priority tor us,”’ she says. , We take the fear out of falling in the bathroom A Word on bath safety aids. And choice. PACIFIC HEALTH CARE INSTALLATIONS. We respond promptly to your needs. For years we have been providing a variety of quality built and professionally installed bath safety aids. We won't sell you a “one size fits all" bath aid. We offer a wide range of products to suit your requirements. WE INSTALL QUALITY BATH & HOME SAFETY PRODUCTS Bathtub rails to help you in and out of the tub. These rails fit all new and old styled tubs. Wall grab bars to give you safety and security while bathing or showering. Sizes to fit any bath or shower configuration available in white, chrome-knurled or stainless steel. Bath and shower nenches for in-tub use. Adjustable for height with or without backs. PACIFIC HEALTH CARE INSTALLATIONS 338 - 13988 Cambie Road Richmond, 8.C. V6V 2K4 270-2273