SESSION INFO: « Back to all events
Everyone has dreams and goals. For people with a disability it can take planning and ingenuity to identify dreams and goals and make them a reality. WayFinders is a free program that is here to help. WayFinders Facilitators support families with person-centered planning and visioning to set the direction toward a full, inclusive life. Once the direction is set, supports and resources can be identified.
May 25 Session: Annette Borrows has been serving people with disabilities towards employment for the past 23 years. Her experience ranges from working with people that have a mental health lived experience, those with complex mobility concerns and supporting people with developmental disabilities and autism. Annette will share information from the Supported Employment Specialist Series. Canada’s National Supported Employment Best Practices found at www.employmentforall.ca. and also discuss how her efforts are focused towards employment equity for people with disabilities. Annette works as an Employment Strategy Manager for Inclusion Langley Society, Delta Community Living Society and Community Futures of the South Fraser.
SESSION SCHEDULE
• Mar 2 – All about WayFinders. Meet the WayFinders
• Mar 16 – WayFinders Compass
• Mar 30 – If I had a Hammer – Tools for Person Centered Planning
• April 13 – School/IEP • April 27 – Mind your IEPs and Qs!
• May 11 – Post secondary Education Panel
• May 25 – Get to Work with Annette Burrows
• June 8 – Circle of Friends/Relationships
• June 22 – PLAN for the Future!
Meet your WayFinders:
Shelley Nessman | Fraser Valley Chapter Shelley Nessman has been working in the Social Justice field for over forty years with a particular interest in person centered work and planning. She is a Resource Family Member with Family Support Institute and makes her home in Steveston where she lives with her daughter, son-in- law and two ginger cats.
Rachel Goddyn | Burnaby Chapter Rachel has been volunteering and working in the Community Living movement since her son, Leslie, was diagnosed with a rare disability. Leslie, now 39, has a life filled with meaningful activities and relationships. Rachel shares part of Leslie’s story…..”At a recent celebration, Leslie sat with two of his friends from high school. As I watched them enjoying each others company, I reflected on how much they have learned in the 19 years since Leslie graduated. They are, all three, much more mature and capable. All young people develop through out their twenties, but for individuals with disabilities, this development can be extraordinary. The transition to adulthood is often the start of a period of tremendous learning.” Rachel aspires to help families and individuals who are in the midst of this transition overcome obstacles and find their way to a meaningful life.
Rachel Skidmore | Victoria Chapter Rachel Skidmore is a mother of two teen girls, one of whom has neuro and physical diversity. Rachel has a passion for inclusion and believes strongly that employment and community are crucial in ensuring people with Diversity are included in society. So much so that employment goals have been a part of her daughters IEP’s since kindergarten. Everyone has a gift to share with people, something they can receive monetary gain with, even if it is just a few hours a week.
Gord Robertson | Prince George Chapter
Gord lives in Prince George with his wife Terry and adult daughter Bree-Anna, who lives with multiple disabilities. Gord has been a resource parent with the FSI since 2004, and has spent countless hours helping families navigate their way through many different disability related topics and issues. He and Terry, together with Bree and her extended family, first developed a vision for Bree’s life when she was 2 1/2, and have worked to continually evolve that vision to change with her as her needs, wants, and desires changed over her 33 years, allowing her to lead a great life, rich in relationships, experiences and contribution. Through his connections with FSI, Vela Microboard Association, and Community Living BC as the chair of the North Region Community Council, Gord is well informed about the world of adults living with disabilities in BC.
Ben Postmus | Kootenays Chapter
I have been a Resource Parent with Family Support Institute for 28 years. Married to Debbie for 37 years and have 4 children. Jacob – 33 , Kayleigh 31, Adam 30, Arie 28. We have been living in “ Holland” since 1988 when Kayleigh was born and would not change a thing. Holland is a beautiful place. Kayleigh has multiple challenges, Global Developmental delay, diagnosed with Autism at 18. Seizures, OCD, Behavioral challenges. Son Arie was born with Lamellar Ichthyosis, a genetic skin disorder. Today Arie is carving out his own path in the world . I Have been in the role as a Regional Network Coordinator since Fall of 2018. Thoroughly enjoying connecting, supporting, listening to families all through the East and West Kootenays. “You must be the change you wish to see” resonates with me everyday! I look forward to connecting with folks in the Kootenays region and share all that Wayfinders has to offer ! Meaningful Employment for our daughter has been our path for many years and we have not steered away from that path. I feel very well connected in the Kootenays to assist families with own journey.
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
You are invited to join FSI CONTINUING CONVERSATIONS, a private Facebook Group intended to continue conversations of support or provide an alternative platform for support. www.facebook.com/groups/fsicontinuingconversations/ All FSI Zoom sessions can be accessed by telephone only if access to computers and/or internet is a barrier. If you need assistance registering for any session, please call our office at 1-800-441-5403.
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