February 2012 - WIAIH

WIAIH Tips and TopicsFor more information on the following notices, call Cherry at 514-694-7090,extension 214 or email assistance@wiaih.qc.ca.Real Life Heroes: Why do they volunteer?An organization like WIAIH is built on the work of incredible people - ourheroes. The Board and staff at WIAIH are constantly amazed by the strengthand dedication of our members and volunteers. In this edition of The Informer,we are highlighting three of the many fantastic people who support WIAIHand work tirelessly to improve the lives of people with intellectual disabilitiesor autism, and their families.Would You Like to ReceiveThe Informer Electronically?If so, please send us an email to let usknow at assistance@wiaih.qc.ca and wewill put you on the list to receive thee-Informer. If you prefer to receive theInformer by regular mail, there is a $5.00cost per year to help defray postage/printing costs. Help WIAIH save money andtrees and be eco-friendly!WIAIH Needs Your EmailPlease send us your email address so thatwe can easily inform you of all of WIAIH’supcoming events. Please send your emailwith your full name to info@wiaih.qc.ca.Refer a professionalWe are often asked for the names ofprofessionals who are willing and capableof working with people who have specialneeds. Do you have a fantastic dentist orspeech therapist that you can refer? Sendus their names and we will put them onour list for parents on the look-out forgreat people! assistance@wiaih.qc.caFacebookLooking for anotherway to connectwith the WIAIHcommunity and tokeep up to date onissues of interest tospecial families? LikeWIAIH on Facebook! Our bilingual pagefeatures the latest news about WIAIHevents, articles and new items of interestto our membership, and the websites andvideos that inspire us.Maureen Hunt(WIAIH Board member)I have been involved with WIAIH for over 25 years, initially a parent of achild with special needs, desperately looking for services for my son, Joe. Ibecame involved as a member of several of WIAIH’s working committeesfor many years. For many years, I was also a regular volunteer at the WIAIHArt Show. I became reacquainted with the internal workings of WIAIH earlyin 2000 and worked with members on various projects: evaluation of preschoolservices; as a member of the WIAIH Board; and as a member of theWIAIH support team for the Parents, It Starts with You program. My son Joe(now 31 years) and I co-developed a workshop to sensitize people to what itmeans to live with the challenge of autism spectrum disorders.Volunteering that is the most meaningful to me is providing support/guidance/HOPE for parents of newly diagnosed children. It’s a toughpath they are embarking upon; not a horrible path — just a differentone. Within this Association there are many aspects and areas that requirethe service/talents/strengths of many people. There is a good sense ofcommunity within this organization. New ideas are welcomed.I have been employed by the Lester B. Pearson School Board for over 20years and work as a consultant with the Department of Student Services. Myinterests lie in encouraging adults parenting and/or working with childrento see the benefits/ strengths of their charges to encourage continualgrowth and acceptance. I am also interested in working with organizationsto clearly define their purpose through exercises in developing their visionand mission statements, using a process consultation approach.4 5