Hello Out There!
Fundraiser update--- we are looking for a brand spanking new BBQ to couple with donated top of the line yummy Canadian Beef and an assortment of bbq sauces and spices. If you have any connections please leave a comment or email bonnie.cummings-vickaryous@beingastonished.com
We re-worked our 'Edgy' (Eye Gaze Edge) schedule. Things are looking good and we are grateful to Chris from Compusult for the extension.
Passion for Fashion! Karey emailed to say she is looking forward to talking about her passion for fashion with Kaitlyn. Kaitlyn is looking forward to the snow being gone and the roads being dry! Look out Stella and Sway, Kaitlyn is soon on her way!
Also look out Regina! We are coming YOUR way to look at accessibility. On Tuesday April 2nd we will be meeting for lunch and then travelling to various destinations to look at things we like and areas for improvement. We will be sharing our knowledge with the Kin 120 students on April 8th.
Must get going we are going to be late for the Inclusion Cafe. Today Rebekah starts her first official shift working as the Astonished! hostess and server.
Daily Shout Out!
A!TLC - Thank you to all of the organizations that have donated to our fundraiser thus far! We will be putting a list together at the end of next week, stay tuned!
Kaitlyn- Hi Bailey in Saskatoon!
Kennen -
Rebekah - Hi to Josh, Gabi, Mason and James. See you at the party!
Thursday 28 March 2013
Monday 25 March 2013
Life of the Student Researchers
Hello Out There!
Happy Monday everyone! It was a very happy Monday at A!TLC we finally had all three student researchers present. It seems like weeks since we have all been together. Today we had a productive day learning from each other about inclusion and accessibility as we prepare to assess the U of R tomorrow (for our April 8th Kin 120 presentation). We each have a homework assignment to be thinking about accessibility within the City of Regina (good accessibility and areas for improvement). If you have any suggestions on places we should visit please leave a comment on our blog.
We also worked on Kailtyn's PATH and are currently making arrangements with Karey from Stella and Sway. Kaitlyn is looking forward to spring (the real spring when there is no SNOW) and visiting the fashion boutique to talk fashion and business!
Daily Shout Outs
A!TLC gives a shout out to the Astonished! Leadership team for a great movie event yesterday.
Kaitlyn gives props to the volunteers who always come out to the Leadership events. Your volunteering is much appreciated!
Rebekah says hi to her friend Harvey in Vancouver and is thankful for the package she received in the mail and for the great movie recommendation. She loved the Life of Pi and recommends it to her friends!
Until next time...
Happy Monday everyone! It was a very happy Monday at A!TLC we finally had all three student researchers present. It seems like weeks since we have all been together. Today we had a productive day learning from each other about inclusion and accessibility as we prepare to assess the U of R tomorrow (for our April 8th Kin 120 presentation). We each have a homework assignment to be thinking about accessibility within the City of Regina (good accessibility and areas for improvement). If you have any suggestions on places we should visit please leave a comment on our blog.
We also worked on Kailtyn's PATH and are currently making arrangements with Karey from Stella and Sway. Kaitlyn is looking forward to spring (the real spring when there is no SNOW) and visiting the fashion boutique to talk fashion and business!
Daily Shout Outs
A!TLC gives a shout out to the Astonished! Leadership team for a great movie event yesterday.
Kaitlyn gives props to the volunteers who always come out to the Leadership events. Your volunteering is much appreciated!
Rebekah says hi to her friend Harvey in Vancouver and is thankful for the package she received in the mail and for the great movie recommendation. She loved the Life of Pi and recommends it to her friends!
Until next time...
Tuesday 19 March 2013
Follow the Yellow Dot!
Hello Out There!!!
Big news at the A!TLC today. Kennen rolled in with two cheques for the April 6th Fundraiser! Again we are astonished and SOOO thankful for the support we are receiving from the community.
Today Rebekah shared a funny story with us that happened earlier in the day. It is apparent that she looooves physical comedy. We only wish we could have been there to have shared in the laughter as Rebekah's lunch exploded all over the kitchen.
Follow the yellow dot!!! Today we spent time working with the Eye Gaze Edge. Both Kennen and Rebekah wanted to work the system and showed us how they are gaining skills calibrating the Eye Gaze Edge. We saw the yellow dot move around the screen as each student researcher moved it with their eyes! Big thanks to Brenda M for her clear step-by-step instructions!
ARE YOU READY!!!! We are introducing a new segment to our blog. Each entry we will have a daily shout out where each student researcher can say hi to someone in the blog-o-sphere.
Daily Shout Out!
Kennen: Thank you to Malcolm & Sara from 20/20 Geomatics and Uncle Dave from D&S Flooring for your sponsorship for our Fundraising Event. Your support is very much appreciated.
Rebekah: Hi to Amie, Gabi, and Brittany (my sisters-in-law).
A!TLC: Hello Kaitlyn. We missed you today and are looking forward to seeing you on Thursday.
 |
| Kennen & Ella |
Today Rebekah shared a funny story with us that happened earlier in the day. It is apparent that she looooves physical comedy. We only wish we could have been there to have shared in the laughter as Rebekah's lunch exploded all over the kitchen.
 |
| Rebekah & Brenda 'Eye Gaze Edging' |
ARE YOU READY!!!! We are introducing a new segment to our blog. Each entry we will have a daily shout out where each student researcher can say hi to someone in the blog-o-sphere.
Daily Shout Out!
Kennen: Thank you to Malcolm & Sara from 20/20 Geomatics and Uncle Dave from D&S Flooring for your sponsorship for our Fundraising Event. Your support is very much appreciated.
Rebekah: Hi to Amie, Gabi, and Brittany (my sisters-in-law).
A!TLC: Hello Kaitlyn. We missed you today and are looking forward to seeing you on Thursday.
Monday 18 March 2013
Happy Monday
Hello Out There!
Great news to start our day! Kennen received a text message informing us that two more organizations are making a donation to our Fundraiser and that their cheques will arrive on Thursday! Rebekah also came with great news explaining that she and Joy have heard back from one of the 20 organizations they approached and they have received their first YES. They are eagerly waiting to hear back from the other 19! It is absolutely fabulous to hear how the community believes in what we are doing and is supporting us as we do it!
Kennen also reported on her weekend with the EYE Gaze Edge. Kennen moved the calibration dot like lightening! Great work Kennen. We are looking forward to watching you work your magic with the Eye Gaze Edge tomorrow! No pressure :)
We ended our day talking about more barriers to recreation and leisure. The Kin 120 students better prepare themselves for this presentation as they will have the opportunity to learn A LOT.
Great news to start our day! Kennen received a text message informing us that two more organizations are making a donation to our Fundraiser and that their cheques will arrive on Thursday! Rebekah also came with great news explaining that she and Joy have heard back from one of the 20 organizations they approached and they have received their first YES. They are eagerly waiting to hear back from the other 19! It is absolutely fabulous to hear how the community believes in what we are doing and is supporting us as we do it!
Kennen also reported on her weekend with the EYE Gaze Edge. Kennen moved the calibration dot like lightening! Great work Kennen. We are looking forward to watching you work your magic with the Eye Gaze Edge tomorrow! No pressure :)
We ended our day talking about more barriers to recreation and leisure. The Kin 120 students better prepare themselves for this presentation as they will have the opportunity to learn A LOT.
Saturday 16 March 2013
Throwback Thursday!
Hello Out There,
Before getting to our work at the A!TLC today we have an
extra update for you all!!! Last night (Wednesday) Kennen hosted a dinner party for her family
and friends (including Ella and Bonnie ) at her parents' home.
The focus of the evening was on Kennen and exploring her Strengths,
Dreams and Needs. Thank you to Lynice
for the wonderful meal and snacks!!! Can’t wait to come back!!!! Bonnie and Ella thoroughly enjoyed their trip
to Kennen’s parents’ house in Grenfell (including getting lost ---who knew it
was possible)!.
Today we took a wheel down memory lane! We each brought photos from our childhood and
youth to select for the Kin 120 presentation.
As we looked at the photos it was easy to see that we have all enjoyed leisure
and recreation throughout the years. AND who knew that Rebekah Lindenbach was
an original blond! We are very much
looking forward to our presentation and having the opportunity to teach others
about inclusion and ways to adapt recreation to ensure fun for all!
We are ending our day with a trip to the OWL for our
Inclusive Café!
Tuesday 12 March 2013
It's Back!!!!
Hello Out There!
Brenda's back from Hawaii and she brought the Eye Gaze Edge with her (no it wasn't in Hawaii with her but it arrived in Regina from Halifax shortly after Brenda returned with her gorgeous tan)! Today we got reacquainted with system and got to see all of the grid program Chris Saulnier put together for us ~ thank you Chris! Chris developed custom packages for each of Astonished!'s Student Researchers. We are very much looking forward to the weeks to come!
We also debriefed Brenda on all of the other exciting things that are happening including Kennen's Strengths, Dreams and Needs Interviews, Kaitlyn going to Stella and Sway as part of her PATH, Bekah's Broyhill Bash, the April 6th fundraiser, and the Kin 120 presentation. A lot is happening around here!
Speaking of the fundraiser .... Astonished is collecting pennies and any other change that people are willing to donate. SO, if YOU have any pennies taking up room in your, coin jars, junk drawers, wallets or purses we would LOVE to take them off your hands! Connect bonnie at bonnie.cummings-vickaryous@beingastonished.com, Ella at ella.mcintyre@beingastonished.com or Rebekaha, Kaitlyn, or Kennen.
Brenda's back from Hawaii and she brought the Eye Gaze Edge with her (no it wasn't in Hawaii with her but it arrived in Regina from Halifax shortly after Brenda returned with her gorgeous tan)! Today we got reacquainted with system and got to see all of the grid program Chris Saulnier put together for us ~ thank you Chris! Chris developed custom packages for each of Astonished!'s Student Researchers. We are very much looking forward to the weeks to come!
We also debriefed Brenda on all of the other exciting things that are happening including Kennen's Strengths, Dreams and Needs Interviews, Kaitlyn going to Stella and Sway as part of her PATH, Bekah's Broyhill Bash, the April 6th fundraiser, and the Kin 120 presentation. A lot is happening around here!
Speaking of the fundraiser .... Astonished is collecting pennies and any other change that people are willing to donate. SO, if YOU have any pennies taking up room in your, coin jars, junk drawers, wallets or purses we would LOVE to take them off your hands! Connect bonnie at bonnie.cummings-vickaryous@beingastonished.com, Ella at ella.mcintyre@beingastonished.com or Rebekaha, Kaitlyn, or Kennen.
Monday 11 March 2013
Breaking Down Barriers
Hello out There!
Today we had a special guest join us from Minot University,
Lynice, Kennen’s sister. Lynice who is
home for spring break was able to witness all the work we do!
As usual we started our day with our typical checkin. Happy to report that we are all doing well
and are looking forward to all the events to come.
Following the pattern of our last few A!TLC sessions we did
an update on our Fundraiser and again we are happy to report that donations are
starting to come in! Please ensure that
you keep April 6th open as you are all invited to our
Fun/Fundraising Event (7:00-9:00 pm, Atrium Space in the Research and
Innovation Centre, University of Regina).
After talking about our fundraiser we continued to work on
our upcoming presentation in Kin 120. As
explained in a previous post we will be doing a presentation on barriers and
enablers to recreation, physical activity and leisure. Today our conversation focused on educating Bonnie
and Ella on the various barriers we have encountered over the course of our
lives. From Attitudinal to omission
barriers we have experienced it all!
Bonnie and Ella appreciated the lesson!
We are looking forward to putting our stories into our jeopardy
presentation and our pictures into the video clip. Our new idea is that the jeopardy PowerPoint
presentation will highlight the barriers we have experienced and that our video
will showcase that a little bit of thought, innovation and creativity will lead
to successful physical activity, recreation and leisure experiences.
We finished off our day by briefly working on Kaitlyn’s
PATH. With the goal of staying fashionable,
Kaitlyn has been invited to go to Stella & Sway a local boutique. There Kaitlyn will have the opportunity to
talk about style and business with Karey, the owner of Stella and Sway.
Thursday 7 March 2013
Hard (and Happy) Workers!
Hello out there!
Today we started out by going to our Fun/Fundraising site to get a lay of the land. We tried to picture the space filled with food, drink, music, and party people instead of the busy students we saw doing their homework. With a bit of time and effort -the way that we see it, things are looking good!
There was also some great follow up on the workshop series that Astonished! is planning to do with the University of Regina's Centre for Teaching and Learning (Not to be confused with the Astonished Teaching and Learning Centre!). During our time at the A!TLC we will work together to prepare a 20 minute presentation that will teach instructors to build more inclusive classrooms. We were happy to be joined by the Manager for Student Accessibility Services, Teri Phillips for this discussion. There is work to be done and we are EXCITED!
We finished off by making sure that everyone in the loop for our upcoming Kin. 120 presentation. Things are still coming together and we are ready to collect and organize pictures, videos, and stories that will highlight the different barriers and enablers to recreation.
Right now Bonnie is on the phone with Kaitlyn's sister hoping to secure a donation for our Fun/Fundraiser. A good note to end this blog entry and a great start to out coffee session!
Today we started out by going to our Fun/Fundraising site to get a lay of the land. We tried to picture the space filled with food, drink, music, and party people instead of the busy students we saw doing their homework. With a bit of time and effort -the way that we see it, things are looking good!
There was also some great follow up on the workshop series that Astonished! is planning to do with the University of Regina's Centre for Teaching and Learning (Not to be confused with the Astonished Teaching and Learning Centre!). During our time at the A!TLC we will work together to prepare a 20 minute presentation that will teach instructors to build more inclusive classrooms. We were happy to be joined by the Manager for Student Accessibility Services, Teri Phillips for this discussion. There is work to be done and we are EXCITED!
We finished off by making sure that everyone in the loop for our upcoming Kin. 120 presentation. Things are still coming together and we are ready to collect and organize pictures, videos, and stories that will highlight the different barriers and enablers to recreation.
Right now Bonnie is on the phone with Kaitlyn's sister hoping to secure a donation for our Fun/Fundraiser. A good note to end this blog entry and a great start to out coffee session!
Tuesday 5 March 2013
Prepping for our Presentation!
Hello out there!
As most of you know the Astonished! Teaching and Learning Centre is part of the Big Sky Centre for Learning and Being Astonished! Inc. The Big Sky Centre is a not-for-profit organization that works in inclusive community to address barriers facing young adults with complex physical disAbilities by creating opportunities for teaching and learning, social, recreation and cultural engagement, and for employment and housing. Today we started to work on one of our upcoming presentations that will occur in Kinesiology 120 at the University of Regina. On April 8th we will be guest speakers educating the Kin 120 students about Barriers and Enablers to Recreation, Physical Activity and Leisure. As part of our presentation we plan to use photos and tell stories in the format of a 'Jeopardy' game. We hope that our personal experiences will provide the students with real life examples to complement the current research on barriers and enablers.
We also worked on one of the goals on Rebekah's PATH. Rebekah has invited the group out to her family farm for Bekah's Broyhill Bash one Thursday a month April- September. We look forward to learning more about Rebekah's life at the farm!
Before signing off we would like to say hi to Ruth and Brenda who are enjoying a warm vacation! See you soon!
As most of you know the Astonished! Teaching and Learning Centre is part of the Big Sky Centre for Learning and Being Astonished! Inc. The Big Sky Centre is a not-for-profit organization that works in inclusive community to address barriers facing young adults with complex physical disAbilities by creating opportunities for teaching and learning, social, recreation and cultural engagement, and for employment and housing. Today we started to work on one of our upcoming presentations that will occur in Kinesiology 120 at the University of Regina. On April 8th we will be guest speakers educating the Kin 120 students about Barriers and Enablers to Recreation, Physical Activity and Leisure. As part of our presentation we plan to use photos and tell stories in the format of a 'Jeopardy' game. We hope that our personal experiences will provide the students with real life examples to complement the current research on barriers and enablers.
We also worked on one of the goals on Rebekah's PATH. Rebekah has invited the group out to her family farm for Bekah's Broyhill Bash one Thursday a month April- September. We look forward to learning more about Rebekah's life at the farm!
Before signing off we would like to say hi to Ruth and Brenda who are enjoying a warm vacation! See you soon!
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