This session will offer information about the EIA program and how it pertains to individuals with disabilities. Topics covered will be the application process, allowable assets, earned income, rates and benefits and recent improvements to the Provincial Disability Trust and much more.

Monday May 28, 2012

7-9 pm

120 Maryland Street

Please register in advance by calling 779-1679.

Members of Continuity Care – Free, Non Members of Continuity Care – $10.

Please find the poster here

Please visit the website here.

If you have any questions regarding any of this please email us at: info@asperger-manitoba.ca.

 
Thank you!

By Lorne Stelmach

The Morden Chamber of Commerce will again hand out its annual business awards this fall, but it is also rebranding the event into a charitable endeavour.

The annual awards gala will honour local businesses in the areas of innovation, marketing, customer service and community influence.

Nominations are now open until the end of August with the awards to be presented in the fall.

Announcing details of the event recently, president James Steedsman said the chamber executive has had a desire to create some strong partnerships with community organizations and felt the awards program could be expanded on with that goal in mind.

As a result, it has now been renamed the Morden Chamber Awards Gala and Benefit.

“The word benefit is very important … and that’s our connection to the community,” said Steedsman.

For this first year, the chamber is partnering with south central ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) with a portion of the proceeds going to to help them build a better life for children with autism.

The keynote speaker will be Christopher Duffley – a 10 year old boy “who will steal your heart with his story of courage and inspiration while facing unimaginable obstacles,” said Steedsman. Duffley is a blind and autistic singer, multi-instrumentalist and speaker.  Born prematurely, he weighed only 1 lb 12 oz at birth and was rendered blind due to retinopathy of prematurity.

Stephen and Christine Duffley, Christopher’s adopted parents, shared their love for music with their son at an early age. Much to their surprise, Christopher began singing before he could hold a conversation.

His first instrument was piano. He also loves to experiment with a variety of instruments including trumpet, guitar and drums.

Some experts have determined that Christopher has perfect pitch and has great musical potential.

Steedsman said they still want the gala to be a celebration of business and their successes in the community “but we feel, as a keynote, we can send a stronger message perhaps.

“We feel this has a lot more meaning plus at the same time we can raise some money for a foundation like autism.”

“I fell in love with his story. I fell in love with what he’s overcome,” said chamber marketing director Pamela Hiebert.

“He’s made a lot of progress through his work, and I just feel very inspired by what he can do and what he has achieved.”

Hiebert said we all have many dreams for our children – from university to careers – but youth with autism face many more challenges and often don’t have the same opportunities that others take for granted.

“They still have the same desire inside of them to fulfill a value on this earth while they are here.”

And RBC was welcomed as the corporate sponsor for the keynote speaker.

For more information, contact the chamber.

Please see the article here

Interviews in Winnipeg will specifically be available April 27-30, 2012.  Please email asperger@cc.umanitoba.ca to get more information and set up an interview.

Please see the information sheet here.

For more information and who to contact see this brochure and project description 

Minister Nancy Allen for the Province of Manitoba declared: “We recognize the commitment of families to raising awareness and acceptance of people who are living with Autism Spectrum Disorder.  On behalf of the Premier I am pleased to declare April 2, 2012 as “Autism Awareness Day”.”

To see the office proclamation please see here for English and here for French.

These 3 organizations will continue to work with individuals, families, community members and the government toward awareness of Autism Spectrum Disorder.

We have once again booked a private party (we get the whole pool to ourselves) at Elmwood Kildonan pool at 909 Concordia Avenue. There are tables and chairs around the pool deck, and everyone is welcome to bring food for their own family. All pool rules are in effect, including minimum height requirements and adult supervision (you must be in the pool with your child if they cannot swim).

Last year’s event was a blast, so please fill out this form so we know how many people to expect. The cost is $25 per family (cash only please).
The AMI Kids Club is already working on planning events for later this spring and summer, and we are always looking for input from kids! If your child has a special place, adventure or outing they would like to recommend, please let us know, by emailing us at kids-club@asperger-manitoba.ca.

The Kids Club will also be offering a new 2-tiered fee for future events. There will be one fee for AMI members, and a slightly higher fee for non-members (for example, you may see events in the future that are $20 for members, and $25 for non-members). This change is being made in recognition of the important education and advocacy work that AMI is doing, which is supported greatly by our official membership. The cost of a family membership is very low at just $25/year, and not only will you get most of that money back in savings on the new Kids Club reduced fees for members, you will also have a substantial reduction in fees for attending AMI Conferences and workshops. The more members we have, the more positive change we are able to effect for children and adults with Asperger’s Syndrome! There is no requirement to become a member, and all families with AS are welcome to participate in the AMI Kids Club events.

If you would like to become a member, you can find the form here. You can also become a member at the Pool Party. We will have membership forms available – just bring cash or a cheque.