Hello out there!
Hope that everyone is keeping warm (or doing their very best!)!
Lots to do with our to-do lists....lots of fun things! Rebekah is excited to have some Spanish lessons on her list - to learn at least four words/session with the lovely tutor Silvia (with some help from the wonderful Spanish speaking Gabi!). Kennen is busy searching for some photographic inspiration (and coming up with some great ideas!) and Kelsey and Kaitlyn have some major work to do with their Kin 120 presentation on February 13th. It will come together nicely, we are sure!
Today was filled with PATH work and also some epic tangents - ever wonder how everyone at the A!TLC got their name? We no longer have to! :) And now that we are name experts, Adam and Brit, if you are looking for any suggestions, we are ready for ya!
We also learned that there is a yogabiebs classs offered in Toronto - Yes, this is yoga inspired by the soothing pop hits of Justin Beiber. Thanks, but no thanks. We will have to pass on this one!
This week is a bit of an Inclusion Cafe dry spell....we are caught between the fifth Thursday of January and the first Thursday of February....looking forward to some pub fun next Thursday, February 13th.
Thanks so much for reading and take care!
Wednesday, 5 February 2014
Friday, 24 January 2014
Finishing up UN day questions (at last!)
WRITTEN ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 24
Hello out there!
We have had a wonderful week at A!TLC and are happy to report that we finally had the chance to finish part two of Kennen's PATH! We have a lot of work ahead and a whole lot to look forward to. The A!TLC crew is so excited to help you reach all those great goals you set, Kennen!
It's that time again! We have an Inclusion Cafe today....rough lives, we know! Rebekah, we will miss you as our server today! BUT before we head down to the pub, Kelsey and our awesome winter 2014 practicum student, Angel are going to teach us a lesson for our Techno Thursday!
And one more thing!
As promised, here are the last of our UN day questions:
What types of programs does Astonished! have?
We offer 4 programs, including this one - The A!TLC....
Here, Astonished! staff work to support each Student Researcher as they each determine and navigate a PATH (Planning Alternative Futures with Hope) unique to them. Here, young adults with complex physical disAbilities are leadersand work with faculty, students, and the wider community in research, learning, and teaching about inclusion.
The Astonished! Social Club:
The Astonished! Social Club is a monthly recreation, leisure, or social gathering for Core-Members, families, and friends. Astonished! contracts with a 5 member team of vibrant young adults with and without complex physical disAbilities to plan and carry out inclusive, social, recreational, and cultural events for young adults with complex physical disAbilities and the wider community. The Social Club offers a wide variety events, such as an upcoming Spa Night on January 31 and Cougar Hockey Games on February 7 & 8!
Communication Technology and Literacy:
Our Communication Technology and Literacy program works to to enhance inclusion opportunities with young adults who do not have easy spoken language.
On June 18th, 2013 we began a summer pilot program to explore the literacy strengths, dreams, and needs of our Astonished! Core Members. This Literacy Program was a great success...and FUN! The Astonished! Team is looking forward to offering this program again in summer 2014.
Mentorship for Employment:
Astonished! is partnering with public funding organizations to support the employment dreams of our core members. Our first initiative was with our Face Book manager, Ryan Ross and we are establishing a process for further mentorship opportunities.
Why did you choose Astonished (to come to the A!TLC)?
"It seemed like the right fit for me".
"The A!TLC tries to give you the foundation you need to help you do the things you want to do".
"It is great to see all of the opportunities that A!TLC can provide me with"
The A!TLC provides programming that aims to be truly individualised.
The content and activities that take place in the A!TLC are age-appropriate and aimed at helping each Student Researcher reach their goals. The A!TLC sees great value in the importance of being social....a chance to go for coffee or to the University pub for Inclusion Café is a vital part of the post-secondary education experience!
For Kennen, Rebekah, and Kelsey - How did you become mentors in SW 479 for the fall 2013 semester?
Kaitlyn led the way! We were all impressed with Kaitlyn's experience as a mentor in fall 2012. Kaitlyn was able to deliver a presentation, make some great friends, and even make a little money in her mentorship role! We were offered the gig by SW 479 prof. Randy Johner . Randy was wonderful and quick to set our minds at ease and make us feel good about being mentors.
Everyone did good work...and a huge shout out goes to Rebekah for going to the front of the class to deliver a presentation for the very first time!
Hello out there!
We have had a wonderful week at A!TLC and are happy to report that we finally had the chance to finish part two of Kennen's PATH! We have a lot of work ahead and a whole lot to look forward to. The A!TLC crew is so excited to help you reach all those great goals you set, Kennen!
It's that time again! We have an Inclusion Cafe today....rough lives, we know! Rebekah, we will miss you as our server today! BUT before we head down to the pub, Kelsey and our awesome winter 2014 practicum student, Angel are going to teach us a lesson for our Techno Thursday!
And one more thing!
As promised, here are the last of our UN day questions:
What types of programs does Astonished! have?
We offer 4 programs, including this one - The A!TLC....
Here, Astonished! staff work to support each Student Researcher as they each determine and navigate a PATH (Planning Alternative Futures with Hope) unique to them. Here, young adults with complex physical disAbilities are leadersand work with faculty, students, and the wider community in research, learning, and teaching about inclusion.
The Astonished! Social Club:
The Astonished! Social Club is a monthly recreation, leisure, or social gathering for Core-Members, families, and friends. Astonished! contracts with a 5 member team of vibrant young adults with and without complex physical disAbilities to plan and carry out inclusive, social, recreational, and cultural events for young adults with complex physical disAbilities and the wider community. The Social Club offers a wide variety events, such as an upcoming Spa Night on January 31 and Cougar Hockey Games on February 7 & 8!
Communication Technology and Literacy:
Our Communication Technology and Literacy program works to to enhance inclusion opportunities with young adults who do not have easy spoken language.
On June 18th, 2013 we began a summer pilot program to explore the literacy strengths, dreams, and needs of our Astonished! Core Members. This Literacy Program was a great success...and FUN! The Astonished! Team is looking forward to offering this program again in summer 2014.
Mentorship for Employment:
Astonished! is partnering with public funding organizations to support the employment dreams of our core members. Our first initiative was with our Face Book manager, Ryan Ross and we are establishing a process for further mentorship opportunities.
Why did you choose Astonished (to come to the A!TLC)?
"It seemed like the right fit for me".
"The A!TLC tries to give you the foundation you need to help you do the things you want to do".
"It is great to see all of the opportunities that A!TLC can provide me with"
The A!TLC provides programming that aims to be truly individualised.
The content and activities that take place in the A!TLC are age-appropriate and aimed at helping each Student Researcher reach their goals. The A!TLC sees great value in the importance of being social....a chance to go for coffee or to the University pub for Inclusion Café is a vital part of the post-secondary education experience!
For Kennen, Rebekah, and Kelsey - How did you become mentors in SW 479 for the fall 2013 semester?
Kaitlyn led the way! We were all impressed with Kaitlyn's experience as a mentor in fall 2012. Kaitlyn was able to deliver a presentation, make some great friends, and even make a little money in her mentorship role! We were offered the gig by SW 479 prof. Randy Johner . Randy was wonderful and quick to set our minds at ease and make us feel good about being mentors.
Everyone did good work...and a huge shout out goes to Rebekah for going to the front of the class to deliver a presentation for the very first time!
Tuesday, 14 January 2014
Pizza Party Eve
Hello out there!
Pizza party eve, you ask? We answer - we are so happy to have won the RQHR World Aids Awareness Day competition! The prize? A pizza party happening tomorrow afternoon in A!TLC. !!! It will greatly add to our first PATH Wednesday, where we will help Student Researcher Kennen set some goals that will help her reach all of her big dreams!
We also took some time to answer more of your UN day questions! Here are a few to consider....
What are some of the biggest barriers that Astonished!
faces?
The awareness barrier. Although we have been on campus at the U of R for one full year now, there are lots of people who do not know who we are or what we do here. We have come a very long way in a year and there are many friendly faces and friends of the A!TLC in the hallways, but we would like to do much more. Kin students Jenny and Chelsea were a great help to helping to break this barrier during the Fall 2013 Semester, as they represented and presented Astonished! in classrooms and in the community at large. Thanks so much, ladies! The more awareness that is raised around campus, the less stigma there will be. We at the A!TLC are happy to contribute to the diversity on campus and show that the average person who would like to learn in a wonderful place like the University of Regina comes in all shapes and sizes. The stigma is only as big as you make it. Be patient and be kind.
Thanks so much for reading and take care!
Thursday, 9 January 2014
New Year! New A!TLC Semester! New (to us!) questions....
Hello out there!
We are back! And thrilled to be here. The A!TLC Winter 2014 Semester is filled with many things to look forward to. And tough work, this is our first Thursday back but it being Jan 9th is the second Thursday of the month....making it an INCLUSION CAFE today! We are headed to the pub shortly.
But before we head out - we have some business! We have been promising since (last year!) December 3rd, 2013 to answer YOUR questions from the UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
Here's one: What are some of your favorite recreational activities?
Kelsey: Shopping!
Kennen: Getting out and doing stuff! I love fishing...and ice fishing!
Kaitlyn: Being social! Hanging out with friends and being out and about.
Rebekah: Hosting parties and serving. Riding my bike at the Field House.
And another:
How can I adapt my lesson plans to reach students with disabilities?
Ask us! Talk to us to find out what our individual needs are. There is a way to make it work. Be willing to explore the situation and offer accessible office hours. We are happy to work with you!
Thanks so much for reading and stay tuned for the rest!
We are back! And thrilled to be here. The A!TLC Winter 2014 Semester is filled with many things to look forward to. And tough work, this is our first Thursday back but it being Jan 9th is the second Thursday of the month....making it an INCLUSION CAFE today! We are headed to the pub shortly.
But before we head out - we have some business! We have been promising since (last year!) December 3rd, 2013 to answer YOUR questions from the UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
Here's one: What are some of your favorite recreational activities?
Kelsey: Shopping!
Kennen: Getting out and doing stuff! I love fishing...and ice fishing!
Kaitlyn: Being social! Hanging out with friends and being out and about.
Rebekah: Hosting parties and serving. Riding my bike at the Field House.
And another:
How can I adapt my lesson plans to reach students with disabilities?
Ask us! Talk to us to find out what our individual needs are. There is a way to make it work. Be willing to explore the situation and offer accessible office hours. We are happy to work with you!
Thanks so much for reading and stay tuned for the rest!
Thursday, 19 December 2013
Holiday cheer...and then some!
Hello out there!
It is the final day of the A!TLC Fall 2013 Semester and we cannot believe it. It has been a pretty epic few months! We have done so many things and feel like a great team. We are also so excited to see what the next semester (starting on January 7, 2014!) will bring. But for now, let's all stop and enjoy our holiday break....
Today the A!TLC will be going off campus to celebrate and to get a little bit festive! :)
We will begin by toasting one another over lunch and then head to the Southland Mall to do some of that Christmas Shopping that we mentioned in our last blog entry. This is Christmas giving in real time - we will have half an hour to seek out the perfect gift for whoever we have been assigned to be a Secret Santa for. Then, everyone will meet up to do the big exchange. As we are a bunch of extremely thoughtful (and modest!) people, this Secret Santa gift exchange is a pretty big deal to us and we are so excite to see the look on our lucky gift recipient's face as they tear into their present! Good vibes all around and a very high note to end the Semester on. Huge thanks to everyone who made this Semester possible, and to our brilliant and ever-so hardworking Student Researchers. It is a beautiful thing to get to work together like this each day.
We would all like to wish you (yes, you!) a wonderful holiday and a Happy New Year! HO HO HO!
All the best,
The A!TLC
It is the final day of the A!TLC Fall 2013 Semester and we cannot believe it. It has been a pretty epic few months! We have done so many things and feel like a great team. We are also so excited to see what the next semester (starting on January 7, 2014!) will bring. But for now, let's all stop and enjoy our holiday break....
Today the A!TLC will be going off campus to celebrate and to get a little bit festive! :)
We will begin by toasting one another over lunch and then head to the Southland Mall to do some of that Christmas Shopping that we mentioned in our last blog entry. This is Christmas giving in real time - we will have half an hour to seek out the perfect gift for whoever we have been assigned to be a Secret Santa for. Then, everyone will meet up to do the big exchange. As we are a bunch of extremely thoughtful (and modest!) people, this Secret Santa gift exchange is a pretty big deal to us and we are so excite to see the look on our lucky gift recipient's face as they tear into their present! Good vibes all around and a very high note to end the Semester on. Huge thanks to everyone who made this Semester possible, and to our brilliant and ever-so hardworking Student Researchers. It is a beautiful thing to get to work together like this each day.
We would all like to wish you (yes, you!) a wonderful holiday and a Happy New Year! HO HO HO!
All the best,
The A!TLC
Wednesday, 11 December 2013
Christmas is Coming to A!TLC
Hello Out There!
Christmas is coming to the A!TLC .....on December 19th to be precise! Together we are going to celebrate the holiday season by going out for lunch and then participating in a Secret Santa Exchange. After we have lunch we are going to jaunt over to Southland mall to do our shopping!
Today we drew names for the exchange and then participated in an activity to help our Secret Santa decide what to purchase for each of us.
Kennen:
Top 3 Colours: Orange and Purple
Scented or unscented products: Unscented
Clothing: Shirts (small) & scarves
Top 4 Accessories: Necklaces, hair clips, scarves and PURSES!!!!
Movies Comedy/Action/Romance: No thanks!
Music: Christmas music, itunes card!
Rebekah:
Top 3 Colours: Purple, Purple and Purple
Scented or Unscented products: Scented!!!
Clothing: Shirts (size medium has to be 100% cotton), zip-ups and socks
Top 4 Accessories: Earrings with backs, lip-chap or lipstick , necklaces and rings!
Movies Comedy/Action/Romance: No movies please!
Music: Country preferably Taylor Swift. I have a Ipod so itunes cards are always great!
Kaitlyn
Top 3 Colours: Pink, Green and Blue
Scented or unscented products: Prefers Scented not picky with the type of scent
Clothing: Furry socks, likes scarves (pretty ones),
Top 4 Accessories that you like: nail polish, hair accessories, earrings, anything girly!!!!
Movies Comedy/Action/Romance: anything but horror!
Music: Loves country!!!
Wendy
Top 3 Colours: Blue, Green and Teal
Scented or unscented products: Depends...I like scented candles and body wash I prefer to buy my own perfume :)
Clothing: Gloves (black), scarves & socks (furry)
Top 4 Accessories: earrings, nail polish, & scarves
Movies: any king including horror (I don't like James Bond)
Music: some country mostly rock and rock blues!
Jenna
Top 3 Colours: Blue, Black and Green
Scented or unscented products: Scented please (love vanilla)
Clothing: Scarves, shirt (medium/large)& hoodies,
Top 4 Accessories: Rings, necklaces, shoes, & purses
Movies: Anything with a cute boy in it!
Music: Country!
Sylvia
Top 3 Colours: White, Black and Red
Scented or unscented products: Unscented!
Clothing: Gloves, slippers (size 6), shirt (medium) & scarves
Top 4 Accessories: Earrings!
Movies: Romance
Music: No thanks!
Kelsey:
Top 3 Colours: Pink, purple, and blue
Scented or Unscented Products: Scented!
Clothing: Anything! Medium, pants size 7 or 11
Accessories: Purses, wallets, and any jewelry except earrings
Movies: Comedies, anything with a handsome male lead in it!
Music: Pop, rock, and country
Bonnie:
Top 3 Colours: Black, purple, silver (hates blue!)
Clothing: Scarves, mitts, toques
Accessories: Scarves, earrings, nail polish
Movies: Romance, comedies, or anything Disney
Music: Backstreet Boys
Ella:
Top 3 Colours/Shades: Black, grey, and white
Clothing: tall socks, tights, toques
Accessories: bracelets, rings
Movies: Comedies
Music: Anything!
Christmas is coming to the A!TLC .....on December 19th to be precise! Together we are going to celebrate the holiday season by going out for lunch and then participating in a Secret Santa Exchange. After we have lunch we are going to jaunt over to Southland mall to do our shopping!
Today we drew names for the exchange and then participated in an activity to help our Secret Santa decide what to purchase for each of us.
Kennen:
Top 3 Colours: Orange and Purple
Scented or unscented products: Unscented
Clothing: Shirts (small) & scarves
Top 4 Accessories: Necklaces, hair clips, scarves and PURSES!!!!
Movies Comedy/Action/Romance: No thanks!
Music: Christmas music, itunes card!
Rebekah:
Top 3 Colours: Purple, Purple and Purple
Scented or Unscented products: Scented!!!
Clothing: Shirts (size medium has to be 100% cotton), zip-ups and socks
Top 4 Accessories: Earrings with backs, lip-chap or lipstick , necklaces and rings!
Movies Comedy/Action/Romance: No movies please!
Music: Country preferably Taylor Swift. I have a Ipod so itunes cards are always great!
Kaitlyn
Top 3 Colours: Pink, Green and Blue
Scented or unscented products: Prefers Scented not picky with the type of scent
Clothing: Furry socks, likes scarves (pretty ones),
Top 4 Accessories that you like: nail polish, hair accessories, earrings, anything girly!!!!
Movies Comedy/Action/Romance: anything but horror!
Music: Loves country!!!
*** I also like books!
Wendy
Top 3 Colours: Blue, Green and Teal
Scented or unscented products: Depends...I like scented candles and body wash I prefer to buy my own perfume :)
Clothing: Gloves (black), scarves & socks (furry)
Top 4 Accessories: earrings, nail polish, & scarves
Movies: any king including horror (I don't like James Bond)
Music: some country mostly rock and rock blues!
Jenna
Top 3 Colours: Blue, Black and Green
Scented or unscented products: Scented please (love vanilla)
Clothing: Scarves, shirt (medium/large)& hoodies,
Top 4 Accessories: Rings, necklaces, shoes, & purses
Movies: Anything with a cute boy in it!
Music: Country!
Sylvia
Top 3 Colours: White, Black and Red
Scented or unscented products: Unscented!
Clothing: Gloves, slippers (size 6), shirt (medium) & scarves
Top 4 Accessories: Earrings!
Movies: Romance
Music: No thanks!
Kelsey:
Scented or Unscented Products: Scented!
Clothing: Anything! Medium, pants size 7 or 11
Accessories: Purses, wallets, and any jewelry except earrings
Movies: Comedies, anything with a handsome male lead in it!
Music: Pop, rock, and country
Bonnie:
Top 3 Colours: Black, purple, silver (hates blue!)
Clothing: Scarves, mitts, toques
Accessories: Scarves, earrings, nail polish
Movies: Romance, comedies, or anything Disney
Music: Backstreet Boys
Ella:
Top 3 Colours/Shades: Black, grey, and white
Clothing: tall socks, tights, toques
Accessories: bracelets, rings
Movies: Comedies
Music: Anything!
Tuesday, 3 December 2013
UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities
Hello out there!
Well....today is the day. The Un International Day of Persons with Disabilities and we at A!TLC are proud to be part of and celebrate the day! The theme for the day is 'Break Barriers, Open Doors: For an Inclusive Society and Development for All!
Over the past two months we have been working with Chelsey and Jenni - two Kinesiology students enrolled in Kin 342 Active Living & Developmental Disabilities to highlight the day! Leading up to today we have been going to various U of R classes to show a ten minute presentation highlighting Astonished! and providing information to students and insturctors on how they can get involved with Astonished!
Today, Tuesday December 3, we have a booth set up in Riddell Centre from 1-4pm. With Jenni and Chelsey we will be handing out Tim Horton's coffee and snacks to those who stop by to learn more about Astonished! To keep things interesting we also have a jar filled with candy and are asking members of the student body to guess how many pieces the jar contains. The person who guesses correctly or is the closet will win the jar! We are also encouraging people to ask us questions about what it is like to live with complex physical disAbility. Throughout the afternoon we will be posting their questions on the blog. Over the next few weeks we will be answering the questions. If you can't make it today ensure you come back to the blog to see the questions that were asked of us and our responses! .......Stay Tuned!
Thanks for Reading!
Well....today is the day. The Un International Day of Persons with Disabilities and we at A!TLC are proud to be part of and celebrate the day! The theme for the day is 'Break Barriers, Open Doors: For an Inclusive Society and Development for All!
Over the past two months we have been working with Chelsey and Jenni - two Kinesiology students enrolled in Kin 342 Active Living & Developmental Disabilities to highlight the day! Leading up to today we have been going to various U of R classes to show a ten minute presentation highlighting Astonished! and providing information to students and insturctors on how they can get involved with Astonished!
Today, Tuesday December 3, we have a booth set up in Riddell Centre from 1-4pm. With Jenni and Chelsey we will be handing out Tim Horton's coffee and snacks to those who stop by to learn more about Astonished! To keep things interesting we also have a jar filled with candy and are asking members of the student body to guess how many pieces the jar contains. The person who guesses correctly or is the closet will win the jar! We are also encouraging people to ask us questions about what it is like to live with complex physical disAbility. Throughout the afternoon we will be posting their questions on the blog. Over the next few weeks we will be answering the questions. If you can't make it today ensure you come back to the blog to see the questions that were asked of us and our responses! .......Stay Tuned!
Thanks for Reading!
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