sketchbook

although the movement to bring people out of institutions – hospital-like environments where they were provided with specialised care, began some 50 years ago, there are still those who believe that for various reasons folks should go back into those environments.    there are still 2500 people in institutions in canada.   there are still folks living in homes where everything they do is monitored, judged and directed.    it is surprisingly easy to create a silo…  

the more friends people have, the more folks appreciate the gifts they bring to our communities, the less likely that anyone will have to return (or stay) in those environments.    the more stories we tell of lives lived well and fully, the less likely people will be able to see community living for folks with disabilities as some sort of radical experiment – the less kids will be placed in special classrooms without access to the peers…    

“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”  Anne Frank

And that’s it from me!   Signing off and handing things over to Susan and then Ernie.   or Ernie and then Susan….    have a great day!