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Program Manager's Blog ...
June 25th, 2008
So much to say, so little time!
With June being Brain Injury Awareness month, we've been extra busy. Our golf tournament on June 6th was
amazing. The best way I can describe it is that it was like a great family reunion. We always have so much fun and
the food was of course fantastic. I am very happy to report that we raised more money this year than last, thanks in
part to all our generous sponsors and everyone who came out to support us.
So what else happened or is going on in June? We participated in RU Safe CK's Bicycle Rodeo on June 14th. On June 19th, the Epilepsy Support of Chatham-Kent
hosted a gathering. Both our AGM and the Stroke Garden Party at CKHA are coming up on June 26th.
The gardens are beginning to move quickly. Helping Hands volunteers from Union Gas were here on Monday and really
moved things along for us. The covered patio is complete and the flower beds are taking shape. If the weather holds out
the tranquility fish pond and dry river bed should be dug by the end of next week. It looks like the grand opening is still
on track for August, a date will be set ASAP. Stay tuned, I'll be posting picture
soon!
Michelle
May 26th, 2008
Services for survivors, their families, friends and the community for ABI, in my personal opinion, can be so easily misunderstood.
The whole idea behind our Club is that it's very similar to a rec. centre with a bonus feature. We have games, activities, classes, speakers and a bonus
of a Community Integration Program that helps support survivors and caregivers in so many other ways. Someone once described their injury to me
as a forced retirement. There are so many of us out there that love our jobs and would feel lost if we were forced into retirement. That's where
the Club comes in... We're here to help people learn how to enjoy recreation and support them in their quest for it.
With over 184 people every year in Chatham-Kent acquiring a brain injury, why don't we have thousands of members? Well, undeniably, we all have
stereotypes about all kinds of things. ABI tends to get stereotyped a lot, not for any malicious reason but just because, like all other stereotypes,
we fill in the blanks for what we don't understand.
You may be wondering "what is an ABI Club like"? The first thing people usually utter when they walk through the doors of the Club for the
first time is "Wow". This place is created to be like home... the colours, the amenities and that takes people aback, in a good way.
Check out the pictures, programs and services! There really is something for ever survivor, including survivors volunteering to help
other survivors within the club. We're always looking for survivor volunteers!
So how did we get to where we are today? Because Chatham-Kent is such a wonderful community to be a part of. Not only is our community supportive of our initiatives and programs, it strives to network
and understand all aspects of itself. The reason why we've achieved what we have for survivors in Chatham-Kent is because businesses,
organizations and individuals have stood up and believed in it... and continue to believe.
The power of "I believe" is so great that it brings more empowerment and even greater achievement to survivors and caregivers in our
community. Thank you everyone both within and outside of our community who help us help our neighbours... it is so greatly appreciated by all.
Michelle
Hello everyone. Let me introduce myself. My name is Michelle Suitor and I've been with the organization as the
Program Manager for about 2 years now. I really felt it was necessary to start a running dialogue in order to connect
with our site visitors.
In the next few weeks, I'll be talking about our journey from a 3000 sq. ft. location in a plaza on St. Clair St. to
our current 9,000+ sq. ft. Club at 9 Maple Leaf Dr. We have really grown so much as an organization over the last few years,
and as we continue to grow it would be great to involve everyone both within and outside of our community in our journeys to come.
I would also like to encourage everyone to ask questions. I'll post them and the answers here in my blog. Chances are
that if you are curious about something, there's at least one other person out there who would like to know
the answer too! Feel free to comment or ask me anything related to the website, Club or brain injury in general and I'll do my best to answer.
I know there have been lots of people visiting the site recently and I would like to thank you for your support.
I can be contacted by email at this link Email Michelle.
Hope to hear from you!
Michelle
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