Sexuality and disability. Beauty and beastliness. These are some of the topics to be covered at Love on Wheels, a free poetry workshop led by Mexican poet Ekiwah Adler-Belendez on October 20th from 1:00-3:00 pm at the Blusson Spinal Cord Centre.

“We will articulate and discover ways that poetry can be a second body to move more freely and communicate with the world,” says Adler-Belendez. “The goal is to raise these questions, to offer support for each other, and to deepen our own curiosity.”

Born and raised in Mexico, Adler-Belendez published his first book of poetry when he was only 12 years old. He has written and acted in three plays and he speaks at universities across the United States and Mexico advocating for the power of poetry and its use in understanding disability. His first name means “warrior” in the Purepecha language.

“What I really enjoy about teaching this workshop is that as a man in a wheelchair, I have no steadfast answers but a tremendous curiosity to exchange information and experiences,” says Adler-Belendez, who has Cerebral Palsy. “We will open a safe space to discuss how our disability defines us and how it does not.”

The event is sponsored by Spinal Cord Injury BC (SCI BC). “Disability and sexuality is not something people are generally comfortable with and it is rarely discussed publicly,” says Chris McBride, SCI BC’s executive director. “We decided to host this event because poetry is a powerful medium that can transcend our normal assumptions about what it means to live and express oneself with a disability.”

Love on Wheels is a free event for all SCI BC members. Non-members can attend for a suggested donation of $10, although no one will be turned away for lack of financial resources. Space is limited so advanced registration is required: http://sci-bc.ca/event/poetry-workshop/

For more information contact:
Candice Vallantin
Communications Specialist, Spinal Cord Injury BC
604-326-1203, cvallantin@sci-bc.ca, http://www.sci-bc.ca/

Starting October 31, 2012

A support group has begun for people living with ME/CFS (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) and FM (Fibromyalgia).

The main focus of the group is for members to support each other through acceptance, compassion and understanding, around the challenges of living with ME/CFS and FM. They do this through sharing of personal experiences, emotions, thoughts and reflections. Members look to each other not so much for advice as for empathy, connection and recognition of our shared experiences.

The group meets once a month, in the BCCPD Board room. Skype attendance is available for people who are physically unable to make meetings.

BCCPD is pleased to support this new group by providing meeting space.

For details, please visit the group’s website at mefmgroup.wordpress.com.

The Prince Rupert Self Advocacy Group will be hosting its 14^th Self Advocacy Conference from Oct 23, 2012 to Oct 25, 2012.

This year’s theme is Futures on the Horizon. The Prince Rupert Self Advocacy Group says that many of today’s people who have a developmental disability have fought for the same rights that we all share. They want to have the same things in life we all love. Just like a sunset or sunrise their futures are on the horizon, where instead of seeing an individual with a disability we see Tom that hard working guy, or Samantha who loves to paint. One day we will just see people without labels, without prejudice without faults.

Guest Speakers will be talking about employment and what it means to your business, your family and your community. Tickets will be $175.00 this includes full conference a dinner and dance. Conference tickets $65.00 per day without the dinner and dance. Snacks will be provided at all breaks.

For more information and to register for the event, please contact Fairview Management Services at: (250) 627-4748. Please RSVP by Oct 2, 2012.