The Canadian AIDS Society is undertaking a pan-Canadian needs assessment on HIV/AIDS in rural and remote communities. We are currently seeking individuals with community knowledge and experience to actively participate in a Rural and Remote Community Advisory Committee. We especially encourage applications from HIV+ people who live in rural or remote communities and people who provide services to them. (‘Rural’ is defined here as any community with a population of less than 10,000 people. ‘Remote’ refers to any community that is not within 2 hours commuting time of a rural community.)

This needs assessment will include a literature review, a national survey of rural and remote community organizations, key informant interviews, a series of webinars, a report containing policy recommendations, and an action plan. The Community Advisory Committee will determine the priority areas for exploration, and guide the needs assessment survey and key informant interviews. It will also provide feedback on the project report, and identify themes and presenters for webinars. The project will be completed by March 31, 2014.

Please send an email to Sue Scruton at sues@cdnaids.ca or a letter to the address below by May 7th, 2013 with your name, contact information and a brief description of your rural and remote HIV community knowledge and/or personal experience. Selected committee members will be notified by May 21st. All expressions of interest received will be held in the strictest confidence.

If you have any questions, please contact Sue by email or by telephone at 1.800.499.1986 ext 123.

Sue Scruton
Programs Consultant
Canadian AIDS Society
190 O’Connor Street, Suite 100
Ottawa, ON K2P 2R3
www.cdnaids.ca

UBC Division of Health Care Communication is seeking Health Mentors for the 2013-14 session.

“The Interprofessional ‘Health Mentors’ (HM) program is a unique educational experience in which teams of students from different disciplines learn together from and with a mentor. Health mentors can be adult patients / clients with a chronic condition / disability or caregivers who provide long-term care to a loved one with a chronic condition / disability. Mentors are ‘experts’ in their life and will help students to learn how health care providers can support people with chronic conditions / their caregivers.”

For more information about the program, visit: http://www.chd.ubc.ca/dhcc/healthmentors

Ted Hobbs died suddenly and peacefully on February 20, 2013, after a brief illness.

Ted was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at the age of 45. He was in the process of completing his Masters Degree and the diagnosis didn’t stop him. He became involved with the BC Parkinson’s Disease Association (BCPDA), including counselling others who were newly diagnosed and representing the Association on CBC’s Morningside program.

In 1989, Ted was hired by the BCCPD, first as the Coordinator of Coalition Enterprises, then as a disability rights advocate with Advocacy Access. Ted delivered workshops and helped develop many of BCCPD’s advocacy manuals and resources.

He was very proud of his advocacy work and grateful to both the Parkinson’s Association and BCCPD for allowing him to serve the community. He once told his wife, Karen, about a client who said, “I have Parkinson’s. You have no idea what I am going through.” Ted decided not to correct the man and said, “Why don’t you tell me about it.” Ted felt his job was not to share his difficulties, but to allow the client to tell their story.

Ted is survived by his wife Karen, his children Clayton and Julie, their mother Leah, Ted’s mother Edna, his brother Robert and sister Mary Lou. Ted has two nieces, one nephew and two great nieces.