CHARITIES A Life to Live In this world every person has the right to live a life as fulfi lling, happy and full of love as is humanly possible. The Cascadia Society, run by a dedicated team of special care professionals or “co-workers” in a beautiful two-storey blue house nestled in lush North Vancouver, is a community dedicated to enriching the lives of specials needs individuals, also known as companions. This “life-sharing community” was established and built upon the vision and principles of the international Camphill movement, founded in 1940 by Austrian pediatrician, Dr. Karl Koenig. The philosophy of this movement is based on anthroposophy, a view originated by philosopher and educator Rudolph Steiner, the goal of which is to integrate the body, spirit and soul using arts as a healing and educational method. Nearly 70 years later, the Camphill movement has grown to over 100 communities, located in over 20 countries internationally with thousands of co-workers, companions and volunteers sharing their day-to-day activities, emotions, responsibilities, trust and respect. Thus, each person is also known as a “contributor”. Companions’ needs differ from one to the next. One individual may require long-term living arrangements and care, while the other may need schooling; these are dealt with accordingly, but also give room for that individual to lead as mature and dignifi ed a life as their disabilities allow. There is a delicate balance maintained between the two values of interdependence and individuality, both of which seem juxtaposed but are inherently present in Camphill communities. Integrating the two brings fulfi llment to companions’ lives because it gives them the support they require, coupled with the freedom to be who they are without judgement. The Cascadia Society was founded in 1990, starting as a small group of eleven curative education, youth guidance and social therapy professionals and one family home. In time, and with more support, the organization has grown into an offi cial member for Camphill North America, providing care for over thirty companions (ranging in age from 19 years old to 58 years old) enrolled in the day program. Four residences -- Bridget House, Kaspar House and Walsh Residence, and the latest addition, “Castle House” – are located nearby the main building, giving certain special needs companions the 24-hour care and guidance required. Now operating on an annual budget of $700,000, the society is run by the coworkers and board of directors, (president John Barker) and kept active in Camphill affairs by Ruth Oslund, the delegate to the Camphill Association, and Patricia Smith, a member of the Camphill Foundation Board. There is certain feeling one gets when walking through the doors and halls of this Cascadia community, an air of unashamed friendliness and a genuine sincerity to see a new face. Arash, one of the companions, is eager to shake your hand and introduce himself, doing so with a smile lit up brightly. It is possible part of his happiness comes from it being a Thursday. “Every Thursday we have a lunch with set tables,” says Executive Director 08 | <strong>THE</strong> V <strong>LIST</strong> | WINTER 07 | www.thevlist.com Patricia Smith. “we also have a handbell program. Our companions and coworkers all ring bells, and give some public performances every year.” Artistic endeavors are an important part of Cascadia. A giant mosaic based on the zodiac and made up of 173 pieces, constructed by the companions under the guidance of a professional mosaic layer over a few years, is laid out in the back driveway, serving as a meeting place for the house. “One of our activities here is we make mosaics,” continues Smith. “It’s kind of an unusual thing, but you’ll never see a mosaic like that anywhere else.” Sitting at the end of the back driveway is a prop giant, also built by the companions as a part of a play they recently performed. Rooms upstairs are dedicated to weaving, candle-making, card-making, table runner-making, costume-building for events and plays, as well as music and small movement therapy. Downstairs, the basement serves as a basket shop, where baskets are weaved by the companions from specially grown willows. A couple doors down from the main building sits one of The Cascadia Society’s residences, which was acquired in 2005. Currently it houses four companion and four co-workers, two of which are permanent and two of which are volunteers on exchange from Germany. It is undeniably cozy with big rooms, plenty of light and a garden of fl owers, herbs and vegetables in the backyard with weaved willow edges. There is a waiting list for residency at Cascadia, which is one of the society’s biggest obstacles. Apart from a dire need for more residential housing, the organization also requires more full-time and part-time co-workers, as well as volunteers to help with the incredible growth spurt that happened in the course of a few years. “Throughout this sector, we need to fi nd people who are willing and able to share their lives and homes with someone who has special needs,” Smith says. Now members of the British Columbia Association for Community Living (BCACL), The Cascadia Society hopes to shed more light on their current situation and bring more enrichment into the lives of their companions, who unconditionally love those around them in an unabashed way from which the rest of us should learn. “They’re so pure somehow,” Smith says. In one simple phrase, it becomes so perfectly clear just how exemplary The Cascadia Society companions are for us all.
V C<strong>ON</strong>FIDENTIAL V C<strong>ON</strong>FIDENTIAL V Confi dential has the tips on some ideal holiday gifts for the home. Surprise your favourite friend with a Colin Schleech design or purchase the archetype of personalization by giving a DNA art piece. www.thevlist.com | <strong>THE</strong> V <strong>LIST</strong> | WINTER 07 | 09
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