Aging Parents

Beyond the Bluebox is a reuse centre that operates on the donations of reusable goods. Jane Stevenson, executive director, tells how important Beyond the Bluebox is to both her and the volunteers.

People with disabilities benefit greatly from after school programs. These programs allow participation and interaction between students that may not have met otherwise. Robin Siannas, an employee at

She was a grunt worker in a factory and now holds the title of first-ever international director of the CHARGE Syndrome Foundation.
Lisa Weir, the only Canadian sitting on the foundation’s board of director’s talks about how she got started with the foundation, why she felt it was important to bring a Canadian influence, starting the first CHARGE group in Canada and the reason Canadians aren’t informed enough about CHARGE.

Over 10,000 individuals, across Ontario, with varying degrees of intellectual disabilities require certain levels of care and they receive that care from Community Living. However, the simple things they come to expect in life goes array when the workers who help make life easier become disenchanted with their work environment and begin discussing strike actions.

Ontario’s minister of community and social services spoke out about deinstitutionalization of care for developmentally challenged people in the fall 2007 edition of Institution Watch, a newsletter associated with community living and people first Canada.

After spending time with Beverly McLeod and her family, I had a better understanding of how she is taken care of at home through the help of her brother Sean and her parents Lois and Glenn. What I didn’t know was how she is cared for at school.

This audio story describes what the Keystone group had to go through to get black keystone signs on telephone poles in the town of Cobourg.

David Potts describes the life of a man who lived for 45 years without the support of a family or community, alone and abused. Potts speaks of the importance of showing compassion, human warmth and respect to people facing intellectual and physical challenges.

Hypothetical situation. You're the parents of a mentally challenged child. The school board does some tests and tells you your child should be institutionalized and will never read or write. What do you do?

Kevin Clark puts some finishing touches on a pie at the Dough Box bakery, operated by C.O.P.E. corporation in Madoc.

Aging Parents: A project dedicated to persons with disabilities and their aging parents

By Joshua Kendell

My video is more of a news story that follows Bill and several other Keystone members to Cobourg City Council. Bill is the fundraising chair of the Keystone orginization. Following his ten minute presentation to council,questions are exchanged about hanging Keystone signs over hydro polls that cover Cobourg's waterfront. This news story also includes interviews with both members of the Keystone orginization as well as members of Cobourg City Council. This Againg parents video explores several key problems affecting these people and finding a solution.

A survey of the population of Northumberland county showed there are more than 80 families of intellectually challenged children, who will need help caring for those children as the parents age. A group, headed by community living in the area has an idea to help, without putting the children into group homes.

by Louise Livingstone.
Bev and Jim Bateman have looked after their son Scot, who has cerebral palsy and a low cognitive level, for 35 years. Despite Scott’s failing health, Bev wants him to go one having the freedom of living at home. She is not worried about the future as she is confident Scott will be looked after. She wants Scott to be happy living at home for as long as he can.

Aging Parents: A project dedicated to persons with disabilities and their aging parents By Daniel Mesec

 Sean McLeod lives in Coburg with his parents and his 18 year old sister Beverly. Beverly has Cerebral palsy and needs round the clock care. In the future Sean may have to help care for Beverly once their parents can no longer take on that responsibility. As part of the Aging Parents Project I joined Sean, Beverly, Lois on an outing to one of Sean's hockey games, to get a better understanding of how Sean will help care for her, and what life is like in the McLeod home.

Aging Parents: A project dedicated to persons with disabilities and their aging parents

By Adam Campbell

Five-year-old Victoria Terrio loves to run around and play like any child her age.
The only difference, Victoria has partial CHARGE Syndrome.
She was born with her eye retinols not completely formed, a bone blockage in her left nare, retardation of growth and her windpipe attached to her esophagus.
When kids are going through their lunch box at school, Victoria has to sit in a chair for an hour while being fed through her feeding tube.
Last winter was the first time in Victoria’s young life that she was able to play in the snow.
What does the future hold for young Victoria? Only time will tell.
Watch Victoria’s story.