BCCPD is introducing a new column called “Everyday Resilience” in Transition magazine and a “Resilience Tip” in each issue of Our Voice, our monthly e-newsletter. Shelley Hourston, author of both columns, describes them below.
Don’t forget to sign up for our free e-newsletter at: http://tinyurl.com/79gu6ac and find information about Transition at our website: http://tinyurl.com/7zwu3u2. Your paid subscription helps us continue to do our work, but you can also read Transition free on our website.

In describing “Everyday Resilience,” Shelley says: We’ve all met resilient people—those who seem able to live through difficulties and challenges like illness, disability or loss of jobs, homes or loved ones. Often we assume that resilient people are extraordinary in some way—otherwise how could they be so resilient? I’ve made a hobby of studying resilience. I’m not sure why. I’ve not lived an especially difficult or challenging life but I have long been fascinated by the creative ways people adapt and live through tough times. This is what I’ve learned: 1) no one gets to the end of life without experiencing tough times and 2) everyone lives life one day at a time. The good news is that “everyday resilience” is all around us. If you’re reading these words, you have experienced resilience and you have played a role in someone else’s resilience. Like life, resilience happens one day at a time.

Research in the field of positive psychology offers insight and ideas for nurturing everyday resilience. Another ancient technique for building resilience is simply sharing stories about overcoming hard times. “Everyday resilience” is a new column which will appear regularly in Transition and shorter tips for building resilience will be published in BCCPD’s monthly e-newsletter, Our Voice. If you’re willing to share your story or resilience tip or if you have an idea for a story, please contact Shelley at wdi@bccpd.bc.ca or 604-875-0188 (toll-free 1-877-232-7400).

The BC Coalition of People with Disabilities (BCCPD) is having a peer support group for people living with a disability.

What is “peer support”?

An opportunity for people to exchange ideas and experiences in a confidential, respectful environment with trained facilitators.

The group will explore many topics, such as:

– Daily living and coping in a changed world
– Relationships with friends, family and others
– Navigating medical systems
– Personal wellness and finding joy
– Exploring and sharing ideas about ‘what’s next’

Group size limited to 15 people. Group members can participate as much as they feel comfortable. Bus tickets and snacks provided.

Dates:           May 15, May 22, May 29, June 5, June 12 & June 19
Time:            1pm to 3pm
Location:     BCCPD office, 204-456 West Broadway, Vancouver
To Register: Contact Nicole at 604-875-0188 or nicole@bccpd.bc.ca

Some very sad news: our good friend and former advocate Ginger Richards sadly passed away this weekend. We will all miss you so much Ginger. You cared deeply for people, you loved Canada and you brought joy and hope to us all. We are all much better people for having had the privilege of knowing you.