Saanich South Diamond Jubilee Recipients

Dear Saanich South,

With only 10 weeks left in my first term as your MLA, I am pausing work on this website. This has been an absolutely non-partisan effort, but with an election nearing it feels like an appropriate time to stop work on this website so there is no sense of cross-purposes.

I would like to - once again - thank all the "Saanich Stars" for their excellent efforts to make Saanich, and our larger community, a better place.

As a final entry in this chapter of Saanich Stars, I would like to feature four remarkable individuals, each of whom recently received the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal to honour significant contributions and achievements.

RCMP Cpl, MLA Lana Popham, Det. Paul Spencelayh, Katy Madsen, Rebecca Jehn & Haji Charania

Haji Charania gained distinction for his 26 years of service with the BC Buildings Corporation, first as a Project Manager and then as a Director. Since retiring in 2003, he has volunteered countless hours to improve the quality of life in Saanich. Contributions include serving on the Saanich Police Board, the Saanich Board of Variance, the Victoria Airport Authority Board, the Saanich Volunteer Services Society and the North Quadra Land Use Protection Association.

Rebecca Jehn is a founder and driving force of the organic and local food-first community on the south Island. She helped start the Moss Street Market in 1991 and co-founded “Saanich Organics” in 1994. She has educated hundreds in small-scale food production and in food preservation methods. She continues to farm organically and inspire the next generation of farmers on the Saanich Peninsula.

Katy Madsen is a 91 year old artist, teacher, environmentalist, and activist. Her oil paintings have hung in galleries across North America and she has taught art from Walnut Creek California to Summerland BC. She was a founding director of the Sierra Club of BC and founded the Okanagan Similkameen Parks Society. She played pivotal roles in the creation of several important parks in BC and led the opposition to uranium mining in Summerland in the 1970s.

Paul Allan Spencelayh has worked as a police officer since 1997, including 10 years on the Greater Victoria Emergency Response Team/Tactical Unit. He currently serves as a detective in the Major Crime Unit. He has been recognized for risking his life to help others, including the rescue of a violent suicidal male from drowning and helping to save a disabled couple from a house fire. He has also donated many hours to volunteer work, such as coaching youth sport teams and supporting the BC Special Olympics Torch Run and the Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock.

Best, Lana

ANDREW NUTTALL

...gave everything in the service of his country.


On Dec. 23, 2009, Lt. Andrew Nuttall was on a joint foot patrol with members of the Afghan National Army in the Panjwai district of Afghanistan.

Just after 4 p.m., the soldiers stopped for a quick water break and then turned back to head home, back to base.

A few hundred metres away, members of the Taliban were lying in wait. They activated a trip wire, arming a buried improvised explosive device.

Nuttall was the leader of 12 Platoon, 1st Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry. He was at the front of the patrol. The explosion ended his life. He was just 30 years old.

Nuttall had been a resident of Saanich South, and his parents continue to live here. Although I didn't know him or his family, I went to the funeral to offer my condolences as the MLA of their constituency.

Andrew Nuttall. This picture was taken in
Victoria, right before his final deployment

But it was a very private affair and so I stood at a distance. More and more friends and family kept arriving and the cemetery seemed to fill with terrible sadness. Daylight faded away and a cold rain poured down.

That day changed Remembrance Day for me. I attend Remembrance Day ceremonies every year; I was taught what it represented, and I appreciated the meaning.

But not until I met the Nuttall family did I feel Remembrance Day inside my heart. A strong mother and father weeping openly for their son who would never return, a man born in the same generation as myself giving his life.

Remembrance Day has a face for me now, and that is the face of Andrew Nuttall.

I've gotten to know Nuttall's parents, Rick and Jane Nuttall, a little over the last few years. His father told me that his son was willing to fight and risk his life as a soldier because he wanted to protect vulnerable people. He wanted to make a positive change in our global village. And because he believed that giving human rights and democracy a chance to take hold in Afghanistan was a noble goal.

Lt. Nuttall, undated photo

Nov. 11 is a day to remember remarkable people like Nuttall and feel gratitude for how much they have given to make Canada and the world a safer place.

Nuttall kept a blog during his time in Afghanistan. (It is still on the web - www.nuttman.info - and recent entries by family detail ongoing tributes to him.) A few weeks before his death, he posted his last entry. Here is a paragraph from it:

On one side, the people are frightened, impoverished, and seek nothing but safety and prosperity for their families. On the other side is a very small subset of a combination of extreme Salafist muslims (a.k.a. seeking to impose an extremist version of Islam on the entire world), anti-western mercenaries and misguided brainwashed (generally) youths that utilize cowardice hit-and-run and IED tactics in order to sway the civilian population of Afghanistan and North America to pull their troops out. Then there is us in the middle, an array of nations trying to combine our traditionally conventional forces and conduct combined operations with the young but capable ANA (and young but immature Afghan National Police, ANP), in a barren country with many more needs than just militaristic. Complicated, yes; confusing, only a bit; frustrating, unfortunately too much.

Last December, Lt. Nuttall was posthumously awarded the Meritorious Service Medal at Rideau Hall in Ottawa. This is a significant and fitting honour for someone with such a big heart who gave everything he had in the service of his country.

This story originally appeared in the Times Colonist on November 11, 2012.

Abandoned school and Cdn Forces, Afghanistan. Photo Credit: Andrew Nuttall. 2009

JENNY JOH

Jenny Joh at the top of Christmas Hill,
July 6 2012

...is a remarkable young women.

Jenny and her family moved from Seoul to Saanich in 2004, when she was just ten years old. She started grade four at Cloverdale Elementary not speaking a word of English.

Yet last month she stepped forward at her Claremont High School graduation as the Valedictorian!

Jenny is the third of four girls. She said her parents came to Canada because they knew there was more gender equality here and they wanted their daughters to have as many opportunities as possible.

Her first memory of Saanich is travelling from the airport and looking out the window at Elk Lake. She thought it was the ocean – too large and beautiful to be anything else.  As a little girl she remembers being shocked at the sight of the light skinned people all around her – and at how warm and friendly everyone was. 

Jenny worked hard to learn English and adapt to her new world. By the time she finished high school she had risen to the top, graduating as Vice-President of Claremont’s Student Government and with a suitcase full of awards, from the Principle’s Academic Excellence Award to the Claremont Alumni PAC Award.

Jenny’s ambition is to be a Pediatrician and help at-risk children. But she knows that her journey is just beginning. She visited my office recently and talked about her future:

When I look at myself I see two ‘Jennys’, two girls. One who wants all the nice things, the best sunglasses, the nicest purse. But I know that is not going to give me true happiness. The other girl is someone who doesn’t care with others say about her, or how she looks…someone who is completely selfless and works to help those in need.

I've had a very wealthy life compared to so many… there was always food in the fridge, my parents would always buy me the clothes I wanted. But I like myself most when I am giving. When I grow up I want to know that I’ve lived my life for others…more than for myself.

Jenny is most proud of the work she has done with twenty other Claremont students to raise funds for the charity Free the Children. This is the project founded by Craig and Mark Kielburger. Jenny and her friends raised over $10,000 this year! And all of it will go to help schools in a poor and marginalized area in rural Kenya.

This Fall Jenny begins her undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto. I’m excited to think of this Saanich Star shining in the big city and I wish her all the best!

Let me end with a quote from her Valedictorian speech. I was sitting in the audience when she said this and it really stuck with me.

If we compare our lives to a single day, what time do you think we are at age 18? The answer works out to be a little after five AM. That is the time when most of us are still asleep. The sun isn’t even out yet! We have a whole day ahead of us and it’s truly up to us to make this day unforgettable!

I hope all our young people leaving high school see hope in the dawn before them. There is a life lesson here for all of us. Whether the sun is still in the sky or the stars have come out, there is still time for each of us to make the most of our day.

Lana

PAUL BUTTERFIELD

Paul at Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary

...is all about making connections.

As a Senior Transportation Technologist in the engineering department, Paul knows what it takes to keep people moving in the District of Saanich. Whether those people are walking, cycling, or driving – Paul knows.

In February 2010, Paul wondered how well the road/trail crossings were working: were they visible and safe. As he started looking around, he decided the best way to know how well a trail is working, is to walk the trail.

One walk and he was hooked – he felt the stress of his highly complex and demanding job just melt away as he walked the trails. Then he realized that in a municipality with an abundance of parks, there are many people who still cannot access them. He wanted to bring the park experience to them.

Thus began his “Hike Every Park” project. Over the next two years, Paul deliberately experienced every park in the District of Saanich. As of April 8, 2012, he has hiked and photographed all 157 – including the 8 parks that had been added to the roster since he began his effort.

Feeling like the king of the hill

“I wanted to make sure that I knew what I was talking about.” says the now avid hiker, “Now I have a real good sense of just what is out there; what our parks can offer people.”

Paul has taken thousands of photos, documenting the beauty of these often hidden gems. He hopes to develop his photographic library into a full virtual tour of each park. He envisions each virtual ‘tour’ including a naturalist tour, historical stories, video clips, and audio tracks – all the components to bring as much of this experience as possible to those who cannot actually visit the parks.

For this next phase of the project, Paul is inviting participation from the public. Starting with one valley and one mountain - Colquitz River Park and Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary - Paul invites people to use their creativity to highlight how they appreciate the park space. Are you drawn by the sights and sounds of the place? Record them. Do you have words to describe an adventure or some history? Write them down.

Want to contribute or volunteer? Contact him through his "Hike Every Park" blog or on Facebook. 

Please, help Paul shine a light on 157 Saanich Stars – our parks.

BOB GILLESPIE...

... is a true Saanich Star, dedicating most of his life to this gorgeous community we all call home. For many farmers, he has been their champion.

His interest in politics is two-fold. His family was political and he showed a personal interest as well. In fact he prefers when the NDP was called the CCF. He joined the party just as they were changing their name.

As an electrician for 28 years he was a member of his local union. It wasn’t until 1988 that he began his journey into civic politics. He attended many council meetings and decided to run in 1990. Afters 3 recounts, he was elected by 28 votes.

He went on to serve 18 years as a Saanich Councilor. During this time he served on the water board for 18 years pushing for major changes. Bob’s role was pivotal in raising the Sooke dam. He went on to serve Deputy Chair of what became CRD Water, and while there succeeded in getting an agricultural water rate passed - which makes a great difference to farmers.

Accountability was a big issue for Bob. He campaigned for direct election of Saanich’s CRD Directors, to end the practise of having the Mayor and his slate designate who would serve. Saanich became the first municipality under the Charter to give citizens a direct choice of regional district directors. Victoria and other municipalities now follow the Saanich model.

Although he is no longer involved in politics, he still holds many visions for Saanich. Affordable housing and rethinking the sewer system are top on his list. Transportation issues are key to many residents but Bob feels that we need to take a slow and thoughtful approach to this heated issue. Perhaps Light Rail is not the answer we need right now. Not to mention the heavy costs involved.

We asked Mr. Gillespie what he thought of the deer issue. “The Deer have always been around, but it wasn’t until we started logging so heavily and clear-cutting the forests that the deer started to move further and further into urban containment”. He does feel that some thinning of the population would be a benefit to farmers.

Mr. Gillespie is a Saanich Star and then some. He brought a much needed transparency to municipal politics in the Capital region and to this we will be forever grateful.

MIKE KAYE

....was raised on the importance of giving back.

Mike Kaye has been volunteering with Muscular Dystrophy Canada now for more than 12 years. He started his association with this fine organization when he began his career as a Saanich Firefighter in 1996. Every year, fire departments throughout Canada spend a weekend standing in front of local businesses to collection money for MD. Fittingly called the “Boot Drive”, this fundraiser is very well known in Victoria and throughout B.C. To date, Saanich has raised more than $3million. This is just one of many fundraisers held throughout Canada during the year.

Muscular Dystrophy Canada and Firefighters have had a connection which has been holding strong for over 50 years.Mike works hard to keep the enthusiasm fresh and to encourage more participation.

Over the years, Mike has taken on more and more responsibility. He presently holds the position of Firefighter Representative on the Board of Directors for Muscular Dystrophy Canada. This year he was voted Fire Fighter of the Year and awarded at a ceremony in Toronto. http://www.muscle.ca/national/volunteering/awards-and-recognition.html

Mike will continue his work with this organization but has taken on a new challenge working with the The Victoria Foundation’s, Leadership Victoria. "Being selected for Leadership Victoria is quite an honour." says Mike, "I look forward to learning new skills and continuing to enrich the community which I am happy to call home."

We wish Mike much success and keep up the good work in your community! http://www.leadershipvictoria.ca/index.html

STEVE SATOW...

...IS A MAN OF AMBITION. Inspired by his travels abroad and the vision of an environmentally responsible lifestyle and sustainable future, the Saanich South resident aims to put his money (and time and elbow grease) where his dreams are. His goal? As Steve describes it - to construct a workshop in the fields behind his historic Saanich farmhouse out of locally sourced materials, using sustainable building techniques, “which, at the end of its life, whether that’s in 5 years or 50 years or 500 years....can be collapsed into the ground, ploughed in, composted if you will, and it will completely biodegrade. You can just plant seeds on it and it has zero toxic or detrimental effects.”

LIVING CHANGE...
Well, that seems like a lofty enough goal. But Steve likes a challenge. As he points out, despite its obvious environmental advantages as well as a multitude of personal health benefits, this type of alternative construction is not yet widely accepted in BC as a solution to ecological damage caused by conventional living and building practices. Steve thinks there are a number of reasons for this, including the widely held belief that alternative building is too expensive, that “alternative” is often associated with funky off-the-grid shacks of questionable quality and mostly, because limited knowledge of non-traditional materials and techniques has contributed to restrictive building codes that make it difficult to demonstrate otherwise: An environmentally friendly, “alternative” building can be beautiful, comfortable, safe, and economical as well as low-impact, energy-efficient, and nontoxic.

Steve hopes to change the perception of both the public and inspectors by constructing his light-filled, 1000 sq ft “living building” model (image on right) to meet or exceed all standard Saanich building codes. A few of the techniques he is incorporating include: A rammed earth foundation - an ancient technique of forming thick structural walls from compressed earth, sand, and clay (harvested from his own land) using natural lime as a stabilizer; “net-zero” energy technologies - on-site renewable energy systems enabling the building to produce as much as or more than the power and energy it consumes; as well as a green roof – a roof covered with living vegetation, providing the benefits of natural insulation and cooling, storm water retention, sound absorption, cleaner air, wildlife habitat, and aesthetic enjoyment (to name a few....) Despite incorporating a multitude of progressive design and engineering solutions, Steve is promises the workshop will cost the same or even less than a conventional structure of the same size; an example of how thinking global but sourcing local (materials, energy, labour) can work for everyone’s benefit - reducing transportation and energy consumption, lowering costs, and strengthening the local community. He hopes that by showcasing leadership in sustainable building practices, standard methods and inflexible building codes will begin to change.

LIVING SOLUTIONS...
But that’s just the beginning. Steve realizes that in order for these changes to become well-established and make a real difference, more people are going to have to jump on the sustainable building bandwagon– and he intends to help them. In a parallel project, Steve is a core member of the “Alternate Solutions Resource Initiative” (ASRI), a group he helped found with other local alternative building activists. Working closely with a team of researchers and engineers, they have begun to develop a guideline that provides standardized instruction, specifically for this region, to people wanting to work with materials and techniques outside the building code. In terms of his long-term vision, Steve sees this much needed resource as complimentary to, but perhaps even more important than his building project. Ultimately, a truly sustainable society requires systemic changes that can only come from community involvement and perseverance. This is Steve’s greatest hope – that as others learn more and join him in building sustainably, they do so with the next generation in mind – working within the system to create a future where living and building sustainably is not the alternative, but the ordinary, everyday norm.

For more details about Steve's building plans, if you are interested in finding out more about Steve or the Alternate Solutions Resource Initiative, or if you would like to follow the progress of Steve's sustainable building project, check out his website at:
http://www.naturalbuildingsite.net/

NICOLE BOTTLES...

…SETS HER SIGHTS HIGH.

While she will never stop playing or composing music, writing, or making art, the multi-talented recent graduate of Glenlyn Norfolk High School also dreams of becoming a doctor. She knows a medical degree takes considerable determination and years of hard work, but this shouldn’t be a problem for ambitious young woman like Nicole who loves learning and excels at school…. At least that is what friends, family, and teachers all assumed - except that just two years ago, Nicole began to wonder if she would finish high school at all. In fact, in 2008 Nicole had to drop out of grade ten altogether because she was too sick to attend classes. Bed-ridden and in pain, Nicole’s life suddenly changed direction. Nicole had Lyme disease. She still does.

WHAT IS LYME DISEASE?

Lyme disease is a bacterial illness transmitted through the bite of a tiny tick that, left untreated, progresses into a debilitating condition that wreaks havoc on a victim’s organs and nervous system. What appear as vague flu-like symptoms at first eventually morph into more acute issues that often mimic other serious diseases such as Arthritis, MS and Parkinsons.

Nicole has actually never been diagnosed with Lyme here in Canada. It was Nicole’s mom, Chris, who finally recognized Lyme disease after tirelessly researching lists of symptoms on the internet. Few Canadian doctors are trained to recognize Lyme disease, and those that are “Lyme literate” have their hands effectively tied with inadequate tests and restrictive diagnostic guidelines.

(Please see this article for more):
http://www.timescolonist.com/story_print.html?id=3240551&sponsor=

In fact the sicker Nicole got, and the more doctors and specialists her family took her to, the greater the variety of diagnoses she received: Athsma, Arthritis, Chronic Fatigue, Fibromyalgia, Growing Pains, Anorexia – you name it – even a need for attention was mentioned as a possible cause! Meanwhile, Nicole’s symptoms worsened: Her breathing became increasingly labored and shallow. She began to forget things and get lost in her own neighborhood. She developed waves of all-over body pain so severe she could not even get a gentle hug from her mother.

On the advice of one informed BC doctor, Chris paid for Nicole’s blood to be sent to California for a proper analysis. As soon as they got the positive test results for Lyme, they began their regular trips to the US for the long-term antibiotic treatments Nicole desperately needs, and which are prohibited here.

AN ACTIVIST IS BORN....

Chronic Lyme disease is not easily cured. Nicole’s family used up all of their savings and sold the family home to finance her treatment outside of the country. Even with medication, long-term Lyme infection has affected Nicole’s mobility so that she now must use a wheel chair to get around - and she continues to suffer from frequent pain and short-term memory loss.

Yet despite such adversity, Nicole remains optimistic about her recovery and enthusiastic about life in general. She continues to remain engaged with her close and supportive group of friends, and appreciates the dedicated support of her parents and teachers as significant motivating factors in her life.Inspiringly, Nicole has chosen to use her misfortune as an opportunity to become active in her community and bring awareness to others about Lyme disease and Lyme politics in Canada.

Currently, Nicole maintains an ongoing blog about her personal Lyme journey through which she has reached and encouraged many other Lyme sufferers. She has volunteered her time and wealth of experience with a group of Vancouver Island medical students with the hope of motivating Lyme literacy in Canadian doctors. She has done fundraising and spoken out publicly about the effects of Lyme disease to schools, forums, and even in the Legislature, continually calling attention to the need for more accurate testing and reliable management protocols in Canada. And, with daily doses of self-administered intravenous antibiotics (and the support of her family and community) she has even managed to continue playing music and complete her high school curriculum online.

What is it that gives Nicole the strength to be a Lyme hero rather than a Lyme victim? She believes that that making a difference isn’t always about big heroic acts. It’s about waking up each morning thankful to be alive, setting goals, and always moving forward, however slowly. Mostly it’s about not giving up hope.

For now, Nicole continues to travel regularly to the US for treatment.. Nicole hopes for a full recovery. Already there have been slow, but continuous improvements. As Nicole and her mom point out, back when this began to get very serious, they would never have predicted Nicole would graduate with her class in 2010!

So, perhaps med-school is still in the plans? Seems like a distinct possibility. And if not med-school then surely with Nicole’s combination of confidence and talent, she can have her pick of just about any other idea she sets her mind to - artist, writer, musician, teacher… Although it’s still a long road of healing ahead, and there is much need for education and action around Lyme disease in Canada, Nicole is living proof that when you set your sights high, the sky’s the limit!

You can follow Nicole’s blog, contact her, and find more Lyme related links at:
http://bitemeback.blogspot.com/

To find out about Lyme symptoms, prevention, treatments, and research in Canada, or to make a donation please go to the website for the Canadian Lyme Disease Foundation:
http://www.canlyme.com/

RICHARD BOCKING

...was working on climate change long before it was a hot button issue.

Working with leading climate change scientists, Richard has created films about sustainability issues and delving into the science behind climate change. He also made films which focused on the performing arts.

FOR MORE THAN TWO DECADES....

...he wrote, produced and directed documentary films for the CBC, and for television networks in the U.S. and Europe. Before his career in broadcasting, he served as a district agriculturist in Alberta for seven years, and was embroiled in the debate surrounding the effect of genetic engineering on food safety, the environment, and the future of farming and control of the global food supply.

SINCE THE LATE 1980's....

Richard has been writing about environmental concerns, sustainable agriculture and protecting the commons.

His book, Mighty River: A Portrait of the Fraser, received the Roderick Haig-Brown Prize and a certificate of merit by the B.C. Historical Federation. Mighty River celebrates the magnificence of the river that is central to the life, economy and identity for British Columbia. In the book, The Fraser provides a focus for analysis of the conflicts and choices that dominate North America’s economic, social and environmental agendas.

Bocking’s first book, Canada’s Water - For Sale? deals with the issue of water export from Canada. He has contributed chapters and papers to several other books and journals concerned with water resources.

More recently Richard was involved with the BC Standing Committee on the Environment and the Economy. He and a few others drafted the ‘Sustainable BC policy’ and presented it to the BCNDP provincial convention in 2007 where it was adopted unanimously.

To understand the significance this of the Sustainable BC vision, you can watch this interesting 20 minute movie here:

http://www.buildingsustainablebc.ca/movie

BE THE CHANGE...

His lifetime commitment to the principals of sustainability is exactly the change we need to see going forward. He understands that “unless we are able to make the environment sustainable, we will not have a future for our children and grandchildren. Nothing else will be of importance if we don’t address this crucial issue.”

His dedication to acting on these morale imperatives truly makes him a Saanich Star!

HOLLIE DAVIS...

…IS AN ORDINARY MOTHER. She loves her children, provides for them and protects them; just as any ordinary mother does. Hollie’s experience differs from other “ordinary” mothers in that she has an extraordinary child; Cooper has Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

His differences became apparent as early as 18 months, when his aggressive behaviour began to frighten his peers, and their parents. When he was two years of age, Hollie began voicing her concerns about Cooper’s behaviour, which was frequently dismissed as “just a stage”. But this “stage” continued and daycares were denying services.

NOT "JUST A STAGE"….

After one month at preschool, a teacher handed Hollie the intake number for Queen Alexandra (QA) Centre for Children’s Health. Just before his fourth birthday, Cooper was diagnosed with ASD. Though nobody knows what causes autism, part of Hollie was relieved by a diagnosis: now, at least, she knew what she was dealing with.

Living with Cooper is “exhausting, frustrating, and joyous”, says Hollie. She points out that Cooper’s personality is huge and people really like him, but trying to stay a step ahead of him is full-time (24/7) venture. “Cooper is kind of like a typical six year old, except times a hundred.”

The Early Intensive Behaviour Intervention program at QA had an integrated team of professionals for each child: 2 behavioural interventionists, behavioural analysts, speech pathologists, occupational therapists, and social workers. Team members all had regular, daily contact with one another about each child’s file: services valued around $60-$70 thousand per year.

Cooper attended therapy for about 20 hours per week. Hollie, and other parents of other children in the program, were amazed to see children that they thought would never be ready for kindergarten were making amazing leaps of development in mere weeks.

Unfortunately, in the autumn of 2010, the Early Intensive Behaviour Intervention program was eliminated. Instead, parents of autistic children were allotted $22,000 per year from the Ministry of Children and Family Development to arrange and manage all services themselves.

With centres shut down, parents are left to piecemeal together services for their children; services that have no oversight and no communication between service providers. Ultimately it means that the Province was saving money by making the parents not only care providers, but also therapists, and case managers; not to mention financial wizards they needed to be to get the job done with one third of the money needed.

FACING A LIFETIME OF ADVOCACY….

According to Hollie, the decision to cut these programs was “short sighted” because proper therapies for children with autism will save money by avoiding long term social impacts to social assistance, health care, and the judicial system. Already, many of these children are regressing, losing language and social behaviour skills they gained in the program. Some kids are losing basic toileting skills. Certainly, other parents must agree with Hollie’s assessment that this is “very sad and disheartening. We really grieved the loss of this program for our son.”

The need to advocate begins with the early services for proper assessment and diagnosis; and continues through the school age as the school system is not prepared, trained or funded to handle these special-needs children in their already over-full classes.

A CALL TO ACTION….

Hollie recognizes that it is not just autistic kids who are not receiving the services they need – British Columbia has many vulnerable children. However, like any mother, she is fighting for her child.

Hollie asks that people get educated and ask questions of their elected officials. She encourages people to write to their MLAs, to the Minister of Children & Family Development, to the Premier. For people who do know about autism and its effects, send letters to the editor – “get loud”, encourages Hollie. Email bcautism@gmail.com for a letter template.

Hollie, along with other parents and adults living with autism, have set up a group called Families for Autism Intervention Resources (FAIR). They have, as a group, met with the previous Minister who indicated that it would not be responsible for government to fund these programs. FAIR feels that it is the other way around.

For information or to get involved, visit FAIR on their Facebook page. They are looking at the feasibility of setting up a non-profit to offer services like those lost from the Queen Alexandra program. Hollie says “our group is not going away; there is a core group of parents that are committed to fighting to get services for their children.”

To learn more about autism www.austismcanada.org.

To get mailing addresses for Provincial MLAs and Minsiters: http://www.leg.bc.ca/mla/