An interesting article and discussion on CBC Radio published at the end of November about Justin Clark, an individual born with cerebral palsy, who sued his parents for the right to make his own decisions.

Justin Clark communicates via a Dynavox computer screen attached to his wheelchair. He reaches out and touches letters and symbols on the screen, which in turn, activates a synthesized voice. Clark took his parents to court when he was 20 years old to prove that he was a mentally competent adult and could make decisions about his own life. Although he sued them, Justin highlights that his love for his family was never in doubt.

Clark was born with cerebral palsy. When he was two, doctors advised his parents to place him in the Rideau Regional Centre in Smiths Falls, Ont., a little more than an hour\’s drive from Ottawa. He grew up isolated from his parents and his five older siblings. In 1982, he won the right to leave the institution and make his own decisions about his future. The impact of his case — a pivotal moment in the Canadian disability rights movement — continues to be felt today.

Following the ruling, guardianship laws were re-examined, and in some provinces, rewritten. Disability rights advocates say there is still a long way to go, but Clark\’s case paved the way for other people with disabilities fighting to make their own decisions, rather than have legal guardians make them on their behalf.

Clark is now 56 and thriving. He has travelled widely — to Germany, Switzerland, France and to visit a brother in the United States. He sees his siblings and friends regularly, and corresponds with them by email. He loves his job at Computer Wise, where he designs greeting cards and calendars. Once or twice a week, he plays bocce at the gymnasium of an Ottawa rehab centre.

The example Clark set is one that we should all be thankful for. He took a bold step to change the course of his life and the lives of many others. He has clearly experienced the benefits of this and we\’re sure many others have as well.

To learn more about Justin Clark and his story, please read the original article and listen to the radio recording on CBC.

As an article featured on CTV highlighted, the Canadian Down Syndrome Society (CDSS) has  launched a campaign calling for people with Down syndrome to be put on the endangered species list.

CDSS is seeking public support for its “endangered syndrome” petition, saying that by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s criteria, the Down syndrome community qualifies as endangered in many parts of the world. The main argument from the Society is that as the population with the syndrome shrinks, so too does funding for services like housing, the charity said.

The CDSS launched a social media campaign to raise awareness of the petition, with people dressed as endangered animals. The goal is not to compare individuals with Down Syndrome to animals but they are trying to \”put a comparison in the world that says when someone gets put on the endangered species list they’re given all the support to help that species thrive and that’s what we want for our kids, for our community, is the ability to thrive,” Ben Tarr from the CDSS told CTV’s Your Morning. Largely the campaign is to raise awareness. CDSS said animal welfare groups have 90 per cent more funding than Down syndrome charities in North America.

To read more about this campaign or to support the petition, visit the original article by clicking here.

A touching story about Bob Hebert from Selkirk, Manitoba – a town just on the outskirts of Winnipeg. It highlights how Hebert is a man living with intellectual disabilities but has dedicated time and energy to volunteering throughout his community.

This demonstration of commitment to his community got him awarded with Selkirk\’s Citizen of the Year award.

It appears that Selkirk is a great example of inclusion – especially for a town that only has a population of just over 10,000. Over the years, the small city north of Winnipeg has made major strides toward being more inclusive to people with disabilities, Freeman said. Last year alone, her organization, which runs the Riverside Grill as a social enterprise, was able to help 11 people find jobs in the community, she said.

To find out more about Hebert, his contributions to the community and Selkirk, check out the article in the CBC by clicking here.

We are excited to support 4 families this year through our Christmas Hamper program. We wanted to take the time to thank everyone who has supported us over the years. It means so much to the families we help & your ongoing support is greatly appreciated.

This year we have started our program again & need your help to make this a special Christmas for these 4 families. Check out the poster below for all the information you need about the program & how you can help.

Please send any donations to Joanne, Afroza or Gillian in Children\’s Services at the Hub in Port Moody or Diana or Dawne at our Main Office. For more information, please contact Joanne Weidinger.

CVS is very grateful for all the support we have in our community.

Early in the Fall, we were so excited to find out that we were voted as the winner for the Tri-City News A–List as the favourite Community Service Organization in Port Moody. Thanks to everyone that voted.

Kevin Lusignan (Executive Director) & Miriam Hoolahan (Manager of Communications) accepted the award at an event at the Hard Rocky Casino on Thursday, October 25th.

Here\’s to another great year supporting the individuals we serve in the Tri-Cities. To see a full listing of all the A-List winners, check out the Tri-City News. CVS is on Page 9!