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Achieve! - The Newsletter of 
The Steadward Centre
for Personal & Physical Achievement

Achieve!  June 2004, Volume 3, Number 1

In This Issue

A Huge Success for Indoor Classic 2004!
Centennial Honours for Drs Steadward and McPherson
Director's Report
Program Profile: St. Joe’s Satellite
Program Highlight: Activity Outdoors
Full Meal Deal
Tradeshow Photos
Welcome to New Faces at TSC
Wedding Announcement
TSC Fun & Fitness Word Search
Alberta Provincial Rugby Team
SCITCS FES Clinic 10th Anniversary
Inclusion or Illusion Conference
Program Summary
Upcoming Seminars and Camps

A Huge Success for Indoor Classic 2004!

Kristy Munroe & Kate Zmurchyk, TSC

The 13th annual West Edmonton Mall Fun Run proved once again to be a great success. The event kicked off at West Edmonton Mall, March 7th just after 9:00 a.m. Ninety competitors lined up to wheel, walk or jog a distance of 3km or 6km around the world’s largest indoor mall. The run lasted just over an hour and went without any hitches thanks to our twenty volunteers and staff members.

For this year’s Indoor Classic, an option was instituted of gathering pledges in lieu of paying an entry fee and did our clients ever pull though! $9,700 in pledges was raised for the event. Everyone at The Steadward Centre is most grateful to all those who contributed to the fundraiser. We would also like to thank all the clients, friends and family who gathered pledges. Congratulations to Lorne Cundal (A.O.B.), Mary Ann Ellenwood (St. Joe’s), and Pat Patterson and Vic Goulet (U. of A.) who raised the most money through pledges at their respective centres. All received an award consisting of a plaque and a Steadward Centre briefcase.

Also a thank you to our media contestants Steve Hogle and Mike Sobel for coming out to participate and support The Steadward Centre. Congratulations to Mike Sobel for retaining the title of Media Challenge Champion.

We also would like to thank all of the sponsors who graciously provided prizes for the contestants.

Finally, a big thanks to all of The Steadward Centre clients for making our West Edmonton Mall Indoor Classic a success!

See you next year!

Participants gathered at the Start Line for the 2004 TSC Indoor Classic at West Edmonton Mall, March 7, 2004 Photos Jean Weeks, TSC

CENTENNIAL HONOURS FOR DRS STEADWARD AND MCPHERSON

Ewen Nelson, TSC

2004 marks the 100th anniversary of Edmonton’s inauguration as a City. As part of the centennial celebrations, citizens were asked to nominate individuals who they felt had made significant contributions to the City and its citizens. On May 3 at Edmonton’s City Hall, Mayor Bill Smith, Ralph Young, Chair of the Edmonton 2004 Celebration Committee, and Wendy Andrews, Chair of the Edmontonians of the Century Committee, officially unveiled names of the 100 Edmontonians of the Century.

In that select group was both Dr. Robert Steadward, Founder and Honourary President of The Steadward Centre, and Dr. Gary McPherson, Chairman of the Board of Directors, The Steadward Centre. Both were recognized for their many and varied contributions to the City, Province and Country and the world. Information about all 100 Edmontonians of the Century can be found at www.edmonton2004.com

Clients, staff, students and volunteers are all very proud to know and work with these gentlemen, and are thrilled to see them honoured in this way. Congratulations to both Dr. Steadward and Dr. McPherson!

Director's Report

Garry D. Wheeler, PhD., C.Psych., Executive Director

2003-2004 has been a period of transition and exciting events for the Steadward Centre. I officially assumed the position as Executive Director on October 1st, 2003 and Dr. Robert Steadward has moved to the position of Honorary President. As well, the Centre staff saw many changes as old friends moved on and new energies arrived. We said goodbye to Barbara Campbell after many years of devoted service to the Centre and tireless support of Dr. Robert Steadward. Virginia Marshall joined us as an addition to the administration team and to assist Dr. Robert Steadward with the Campaign. Danielle Reaney moved on to the adventures of travel and Kate Zmurchyk joined us as a new health, fitness and lifestyle instructor in our programs. Yet stalwarts remain and Ewen and Jean continue in their roles within the Centre administration team.

Interestingly, this transition period at The Steadward Centre is coincident with a number of important events impacting the lives of persons with disabilities and their access to community and resources. The announcement of the passage of Bill 201, the Alberta Safety Codes (Barrier Free Design) Amendment Act on February 23rd, 2004; the announcement of the formation of the Office of Disability Issues, and the creation and publication of the Alberta Disability Strategy, speak to continued Government and social commitment towards facilitating access to opportunities, full inclusion and citizenship for persons with disabilities. These are important events in that we firmly believe that access to quality healthy physical activity, fitness and lifestyle services are an important aspect of facilitating the full inclusion and full citizenship of persons with disabilities in society. Furthermore, the development of personal health resources is an essential basis for full and active participation in community life. Rest assured the Centre shall continue to strive to provide quality programming to our clients with disabilities in future and exemplify the goals and aspirations of the movement to inclusion.

During the last six months, staff and clients together have expended a great deal of energy raising funds to ensure the continuation and development of our programs. We instituted a team-based approach in order to ‘get things done’ and this proved to be a valuable move. The success of the Indoor Classic and Media Challenge at West Edmonton Mall in March; the tremendously successful Casino at Yellowhead, and more recently the Inclusion or Illusion? Inclusion through work play and learning conference, are a testimony to the importance of team effort and within the teams, the individual effort all are making on behalf of the Centre and have contributed greatly to assisting with the maintenance and development of our programs and our image in the community.

As we move forward into the Summer and Fall, we are looking forward to developing a number of new and exciting initiatives at the Centre. Perhaps most salient at this time are plans for the development of the Activation Station, a children’s and youth health, fitness and lifestyle program and the development of a major fund raiser. The Activation Station will be housed within the old cage area. We have received funds from the Ronald McDonald Children’s Charities to begin this initiative and will be seeking both formal grant support from the Province as well as Corporate support to bring this initiative to fruition. In addition, we are planning to undertake a major fundraising event next Summer or Fall as part of our efforts to further develop our programs.

Finally, my sincere thanks to all the Centre staff for their tireless efforts on behalf of Centre activities and programs. And to all the clients who have given unselfishly of their time to assist in Centre events, a big thank you.

I wish all of you a very happy and warm summer!

Program Profile: The St. Joseph Satellite Centre

Breanne Coffill, Satellite Coordinator, TSC

Located just off 109 Street, snuggled between Grant McEwan College and NAIT, St. Joseph High School was the first Catholic High School to be built in Edmonton in 1932, and was recently renovated in 2000 increasing its already large size, and updating all its academic programs available to students.

As part of the school restructuring, The Steadward Centre Satellite opened in St. Joseph High School as part of the community enrichment program in 2000 and today serves over 45 clients through the Adult, Fitness & Lifestyle Program in and around the downtown core as well as the West end, and St. Albert.

The Steadward Centre facility at St. Joe’s is a classroom that has been converted into a fitness centre, and is a segregated environment in which our clients can work out comfortably with minimal distractions. The students of St. Joe’s are involved with The Steadward Centre on a regular basis when they volunteer as a component of their religion courses.

The Centre itself is equipped with fully accessible fitness equipment, and looks out onto the beautiful courtyard, it also is very bright and clean with natural sunlight beaming in throughout the day. Clients also have access to the Student Fitness Centre as well as the High Performance Centre both located nearby in the school, for any specific equipment that is not available in The Steadward Centre.

Overall, TSC at St. Joe’s is very busy most days of the week, and currently has a waiting list. It is easy to see why, as the friendly students and staff here at the school, the convenience of the location, and the small family atmosphere are evident throughout this very successful program. So the next time you are the neighbourhood, feel free to stop in and check The Steadward Centre’s Satellite location out here at St. Joseph High School!

View of Main Entrance to St. Joseph High School, showing accessible doors, drive-through passenger drop-off zone and 109 Street Edmonton Transit bus stop Photo: St. Joseph HS Website

Program Highlight — Activity Outdoors

Will Gill, Manager, Fitness & Lifestyle Programs 

Variety in physical activity is extremely important. The body is very much a creature of habit and settles into routines naturally. Often plateaus in an exercise program are due to the activities being too static for an extended period of time. A great way to shake up the workout is to be active in a completely different setting. A great way to do this is to move the exercise program into the outdoors.
Activity Outdoors is geared toward exposing participants to simple inexpensive modes of exercise that can be done almost anywhere. This serves to add variety to your workout to keep things from stagnating. Move your workout outdoors during the summer to take advantage of our surroundings. It’s also a great way to start an exercise program.

Basic endurance and strength building exercises are planned, using very little or no equipment at all. Our University campus provides a great setting for walking or wheeling, while body weight-based resistance exercises can provide a lot of no cost alternatives for strengthening.

Activity Outdoors will run on Tuesday afternoons from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm July 13 to August 17, 2004. The registration deadline is July 9, 2004 and the cost is $5.00 for Steadward Centre members and $10.00 for non-members.

Register early as there are a limited number of spots available in the program.

Sunny sidewalk on University Campus provides ideal setting for Activity Outdoors Photo: Will Gill

"Full Meal Deal" Recipe Corner

Jean Weeks, Secretary/Receptionist

We will try to feature recipes of lighter fare in each issue. These are from Weight Watchers cookbook.

Chicken Breasts Florentine

1 10 oz bag washed spinach – do not dry
1 Garlic clove
Pepper to taste
2 Ounces cooked ham cut into strips
¼ Tsp. thyme
4 Skinless boneless chicken breasts
3 Tsp. of olive oil
½ Cup dry white wine
¼ Tsp. salt

Heat large non-stick skillet over medium heat; add spinach, garlic and pepper. Cook covered until spinach wilts about 2 minutes. Let cook, squeeze out excess liquid. Stir in ham and a pinch of thyme.

Cut a long thin pocket into each chicken breast. Stuff spinach mixture into pockets, then press the edges of chicken together and seal closed with toothpicks.

In the same skillet, heat oil, add chicken and brown on each side turning once or twice. Add wine, salt and remaining thyme. Reduce heat to low. Simmer covered until chicken is cooked through. Serve topped with pan juices.

Creamy Crackers

Sandwich 2 Tbsp. fat-free whipped topping between 2 chocolate graham cracker squares. Wrap in saran wrap and freeze. If you don’t want to bother with the freezing, use 1 scoop of low fat ice cream and serve right away.

Photos from the Adapted Technology Tradeshow – May 20, 2004

Pictures of clients and displays from the Adapted Technology Tradeshow – May 20, 2004 Photos: Kristy Munroe, TSC

New Faces at TSC

Will Gill, Manager, Fitness & Lifestyle Programs, TSC

Introductions are in order for two new program staff members. Kate Zmurchyk joins us as our full time Adapted Fitness Instructor at the University of Alberta location. Kate Hails from Medicine Hat and received her kinesiology degree from the University of Saskatchewan. Kate brings enthusiasm and a great work ethic to the program team. As well Kate has a strong background in exercise science and assessment.

Also, Abby Espejo joins us this spring to complete the professional practicum portion of her degree. Abby is very near completing her kinesiology degree at the University of Alberta. Abby adds experience working with children with a disability and aquatics programming for people with a disability.

Please stop and welcome our newest staff the next time you are at the Centre.

And, as you can see in following notice, congratulations are due to Virginia Marshall on her marriage to David Perry on May 8, 2004!

TSC Fun & Fitness Word Search Puzzle

Jim Tookey, TSC Client, St. Joseph Satellite

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About the Puzzlemaker

Jim Tookey is a 27 year old client at the St. Joseph Satellite Centre of The Steadward Centre. He works part-time and in his spare time likes to create Word Searches.

If you have any suggestions for future search themes that you would like to see, let any staff at TSC know and we will gladly pass along any requests to him.

Alberta Provincial Wheelchair Rugby Team

Kim Lagace, Satellite Coordinator, TSC

The Alberta Provincial Wheelchair Rugby Team won the ‘B’ side at the Canadian National Championships held in Montreal on May 14 to 16th. The team of 8 played a total of five games with one loss on Saturday morning against Saskatchewan. They have come a long way and some players say their training at The Steadward Centre has helped them reached their goal this year. The team hopes to play on the ‘A’ side next year.

Congratulations to all Alberta Team Members!!!
Ken Hicks
Mike McMullan
BJ Engerdahl
Scott Barlund
Gerry Kress
Dale Campbell
Dale Nording
Allan Chartrand

Action from the Canadian National Wheelchair Rugby Championships - Montreal, Quebec Photo: Randall Tressider

SPINAL CORD INJURY TREATMENT CENTRE (NORTHERN ALBERTA) SOCIETY FES CLINIC CELEBRATES 10 YEARS

John Miller, President, Spinal Cord Injury Treatment Centre Society

To help people with a spinal cord injury to exercise, stand and take steps to date the Spinal Cord Injury Treatment Centre Society has donated to the University of Alberta approximately $350,000.

In an excerpt taken from the Never Say…”Never” Newsletter dated April 1993, it was noted that SCITCS had donated $110,000 towards the application of functional electrical stimulation (FES) to assist persons with a spinal cord injury to exercise and to stand and take steps.

In recognition of this the University of Alberta officially named the FES Clinic “The SCITCS FES Clinic” within The Steadward Centre (formerly the Rick Hansen Centre)

The Board of Directors of SCITCS were proud to celebrate the 10th Anniversary on December 8th, 2003 held at the SCITCS FES Clinic.

Many guests and clients attended. Special thanks to John Ferguson, Chancellor of the University of Alberta for his opening remarks.

Speakers included Gary McPherson, Robert Steadward, Garry Wheeler and Louise Miller, past President of SCITCS.

Craig Simpson, Honorary President of SCITCS, who participated in the opening in 1993 sent his regrets. It is worthy to note that the success of the SCITCS FES Clinic is due, in no small measure, to the contribution of 16 years of financial support to the SCITCS organization from the “Craig Simpson Never say “Never” Golf Tournament.

We wish to recognize executive assistant, Jean Weeks for planning and organizing a very successful event.

SCITCS has been extremely fortunate and honoured to have been associated with world renowned researchers in FES, namely Richard Stein PhD, Robert Steadward PhD, Garry Wheeler PhD, all presently at the University of Alberta and past associations with Brian Andrews PhD, Dejan Popovic PhD and Dr. Robert Burnham MD.

It is noted that Frank Hayday of Karl Hager Limb & Brace has played a significant role in pioneering the bracing used with FES to assist people with a spinal cord injury to stand and take steps.

SCITCS Board of Directors would like to acknowledge the contribution made by the staff at The Steadward Centre for their continued support in providing opportunities to HELP OTHERS TO HELP THEMSELVES BY NEVER SAYING “NEVER”.

Drs. Steadward, McPherson and Wheeler with John Miller, President of SCITCS Photo: SCITCS

About the Name of Newsletter

Achieve! was selected as the new name for The Steadward Centre Newsletter. "Achieve!" embodies the new name and mission of the Centre and the spirit represented by the logo. We hope you enjoy this issue and welcome your comments and suggestions for future issues.

achieve: v.t. Accomplish, carry out; acquire; reach (an end). Oxford English Dictionary.

Inclusion or Illusion? Conference

TSC Staff

On April 30 and May 1, an important conference was held at the Telus Centre on the University of Alberta campus. Entitled "Inclusion or Illusion? Inclusion through work, play and learning", the conference attracted close to 300 registrants, speakers, volunteers and staff. Guest speakers came from as far afield as Texas and Virginia, with a strong local contingent.

A public lecture and workshop on Asset Based Community Development by Mike Green preceded the conference on April 28 and 29th respectively.

The first day of the conference featured mainly academic presentations, on topics such as physical education, ethics, rights, choice, advocacy and community. The second day featured mainly practical presentations, demonstrating successes and challenges in the drive for inclusion of people with disabilities in society as a whole. Everyone listening to the various presentations was challenged to examine their own beliefs and thoughts at some point through the two days.

A Proceedings Manual will be produced in the near future which will help others gain an understanding of the myriad issues around inclusion.
The conference would not have been possible without generous sponsorship, and the organizers thank all 18 organizations, companies and individuals that contributed to the success of event. TSC clients Chris Judge and Marge Dwernichuk each donated paintings which were given to guest speakers as thank you gifts.

Keynote speaker Claudine Sherrill of Texas speaking with Ken Thomas following her presentation Photo: Jean Weeks, TSC

Upcoming Program Summary

Upcoming Seminars and Camps

Programs and Seminars (Dates & Times TBA)

• Water in Motion
• Annual TSC Xmas Bowl

Is there an activity, program or seminar that you cannot find but would like to try or feel would be of benefit to you and others?

Contact TSC Program Staff with your thoughts. Thanks!

Watch for the new program flyers in mid-December. For information on these or any TSC programs, call 492-9236, send an e-mail to programs@steadwardcentre.org or check our web site at www.steadwardcentre.org 

Achieve!, the newsletter of The Steadward Centre, is published twice each year. 

The Newsletter is available in alternative format and on the Centre's website. Please phone 492-7091 to inquire about the format required.

Contributions and suggestions are welcomed from individuals and organizations associated with The Steadward Centre. 

Please e-mail contributions to info@steadwardcentre.org or fax to 492-7161.

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