Our event page provides opportunities for families to connect and experience new activities in a stress-free, accepting space. Check out our special events below for more information and dates. This calendar is updated regularly, so please check back often. Please get in touch if you have an event to share with us.
Brother and Sister is postponed until Fall 2022. We apologize for the change is schedule. Look back to this space for updates on this session.
SESSION INFO: Growing up with a brother or sister with a disability involves some very strong feelings. The usual stresses, joys and fears experienced by brothers and sisters can be intensified in families where a son or daughter has a disability. This workshop will focus upon some of the common issues which can arise. Parents will be encouraged to develop strategies for assisting with social situations. Other goals of the workshop are to enable parents to help their “typical” children to see the benefit of having a brother or sister with a disability and to provide parents with ideas and resources for having fun with all their children.
Brenda Buschlen is a parent of a complex kid with non-verbal Autism spectrum disorder (ASD). He received an early diagnosis when he was 2.5 years old and is now living in a supported SNA in a staffed residence. Her experience in learning about ASD and associated disorders like self-injurious behaviour, Tourette’s, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, and more has inspired her to share their story to hopefully benefit other families in their good work to support their children to be more confident and effective in communicating and accessing the level of support these children and families both need and deserve.
Kerry Lawson is the proud mother of four children, one who is labeled with a language-based learning disorder and an autism spectrum disorder. Kerry is also the younger sister and best friend to a senior citizen who is labeled with a developmental disability. It is Kerry’s childhood and adult experiences with her sister that led her to become a social worker and focus her entire 35-year career on supporting families of children and adults with labels. Kerry became a resource parent and resource family member with the Family Support Institute of BC (FSI) in 2010. In the final months of her retirement from the government, Kerry accepted a position as Regional Network Coordinator in 2019, returning to her passion for supporting families.Family Support Institute of BC (FSI) is a provincial not-for-profit society committed to supporting families who have a family member with a disability.
Family Support Institute of BC (FSI) is a provincial not-for-profit society committed to supporting families who have a family member with a disability.
FSI is unique in Canada and the only grass roots family to family organization that has a broad volunteer base.
FSI SUPPORTS AND SERVICES ARE FREE TO ANY FAMILY
227 6th Street
New Westminster, BC
V3L 3A5
(604) 540-8374 ext. 523
Fax: (604) 540-9374
Support Line:
1-800-441-5403
Did you have a great experience with FSI? Please let us know!
As a provincial organization, Family Support Institute acknowledges that our work spans across all of the traditional, ancestral and unceded Indigenous territories in BC. Therefore, we respectfully honour all First Nations, Inuit and Métis people, as well as their ancestors, who have lived here and cared for these lands. It is with gratitude that we can live, learn and do our work in the province now known as British Columbia.
©2023 Family Support Institute | Privacy Policy | Registered Charity Number: 105629497RR0001. We acknowledge the financial assistance of the Province of British Columbia.
