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Recap of the 22nd ANNUAL SELF ADVOCACY LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE

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Recap of what took place on October 27th, to October 29th, 2023 at Camp Luther Retreat Center

 

30 Self Advocates did attend around province of BC

A diverse group of adults pose smiling on the steps of a building with green siding. They are dressed casually, some wearing jackets, hats, or sunglasses. The entrance door is behind them with a sign that reads Retreat Centre Main Entrance Offices Upstairs.

 

Facilitation throughout the event was provided by Gregg Schiller, Arlene Schouten

Self Advocates thanks them for putting this event on

Split image: Left shows a woman with short hair wearing a jacket, standing outdoors. Right shows a man with long hair, wearing a sleeveless shirt, posing with boxing gloves indoors.

 

 Friday, October 27, 2023

 5:00 p.m.     Everyone arrived at Camp Luther

 

                   WELCOMED & INTRODUCTIONS

 

Gregg Schiller and Arlene Schouten went over the Ground Rules and how we can all live and work together that weekend to make this a strong supportive community for that weekend.

People are seated in a room facing a projector screen displaying text. Two individuals stand at the front speaking to the audience. The room has rows of chairs and a ceiling with fluorescent lights.

 

5:30 p.m.   FIRST NIGHT HAD A  COMMUNITY DINNER

A buffet setup on a black tablecloth features a stack of white plates, a large bowl of salad with tongs, a tray of breadsticks, and a dish of lasagna in the background. The setting is indoors with wooden paneling and a kitchen area visible.

7:30 p.m.    Workshop #1: EXPRESS YOURSELF

                  

Gregg Schiller Did lead a worship to kick off that weekend by showing self advocates how you  can all work together through music and expressing our feelings on a variety of topics.

Gregg Schiller did play piano and participants did draw pictures to the music and express their feelings and shared with the group. This was an interactive workshop for everyone.

Left: A person with curly hair wearing a sleeveless shirt, holding boxing gloves and posing indoors. Right: A colorful child’s drawing of a house with a chimney, trees, flowers, a sun, and clouds.

 

 8:30 p.m.   Then the first night had BONFIRE/MARSHMALLOW ROAST

                             Self Advocates went down to the lake for a Bonfire. Bryce Schaufelberger provided the Tunes to Sing to by the campfire and had roasted marshmallows with our friends.

A campfire with glowing embers and burnt logs sits in a stone fire pit. The charred wood is surrounded by ash, creating a warm and cozy ambiance against the dark background.                  

 

11:00 p.m.       On the first night QUIET TIME

Self Advocates did Relax inside Bryce supplied movies and music inside and

then self advocates did hang out with and made some new friends.

 

 

 Day 2 of the 22nd ANNUAL SELF ADVOCACY LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE

 8:30 a.m.- 9:30 a.m.     Breakfast Buffet was served to everyone before we had our first workshop of day 2

 

Illustration of a breakfast table with a bowl of cereal, a milk carton, pancakes with butter, a fried egg, bacon, and a piece of toast. The items are neatly arranged on a wooden surface.

 

 9:30 am. – 10:00 am      Workshop #2  10 Year Anniversary of Kamloops Self Advocacy Newsletter

Self Advocate Krystian Shaw came and did talk about his newsletter

And celebrated with him on the 10th Anniversary of the Kamloops Newsletter that he started.

A person with short hair and a mustache smiles at the camera, standing indoors in front of shelves with dark and light objects.

 

  10:00 am    Workshop #3 CLBC Home Share Program 

Guest Speaker Manager at Abbotsford CLBC office Christy Peters came and did discuss

|CLBC Program about other Housing options for self advocates.

Like home share independent living etc.

A person with shoulder-length wavy hair, wearing a nose ring and a dark top, smiles at the camera against a neutral background.

 

 

11:00 am- 12:00 pm  Workshop #4: SelfAdvocateNet.com  

Self Advocate leader Bryce Schaufelberger came from Home Society did show self advocates the new changes to the #1 self advocacy website in the world developed from the very 1st Retreat 24 years ago. Self Advocates did have opportunities to give their recommendations and feedback to improve the website more.

A person wearing a camo hoodie, red pants, and a cap speaks in front of a projector setup. Behind them, a banner displays SelfAdvocateNet.com with the tagline Our Voice, Our Strength.

 

 

12:30 p.m.       Then we had break for COMMUNITY LUNCH

1:30 pm – 2:30 pm    Workshop #5: P.T.S.D.  Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

                             Guest Speaker Counsellor Dorothy Hyslop did talk with self advocates about how to deal with major events that change own lives for the worse and how to deal with the stress and the loss people suffer afterwards. Dealing with various abuses and other life changing events did get discussed.  Everyone was free to share their stories and receive support from the group and learn how to deal with these situations and how to recognize the signs and get supports so you can eventually celebrate a healthy life again.

 

2:30 pm     Workshop #6:My Story of Surviving Abuse

 Guest Speaker Shannon Lebrun came and did share her personal story of surviving serious abuse awareness

she wants to help others with dealing with abuse.

                  

3:00 pm   BREAK

3:15 p.m.    Workshop #7:Life Beyond P.T.S.D.: How to Live Healthy Lives Forever

 

Inspirational Guest Speaker Sachin Latti came out and shared his personal story dealing with P.T.S.D. and how he turned around his life and changed his life for the better and how everyone can too. He also did demonstrate how to make healthy choices and how to bring awareness to our issues. He also did a demonstration for everyone to join and participates on healthy exercises and stretches to help us lead healthy lives through physical fitness.

 

5:30 p.m.  Had Break for Dinner that night

 

7:30 p.m.       Workshop #7:  The SELF ADVOCACY GAME SHOW: THE BARBIE AND KEN EDITION

 Self advocates were surprised that guest hosts BARBIE and KEN came to retreat that night it was a special version of THE SELF ADVOCACY GAME SHOW. That did get full audience participation from self advocates.

 

9:00 p.m.  2nd night we had another BONFIRE/MARSHALLOW ROAST

Self Advocates did go to Bonfire. Bryce Schaufelberger provided music self advocate did

Sang by the campfire and did roast marshmallows with all of their friends.

         

 11:00 p.m.       Then was QUIET TIME

                        Relax inside with our new friends and watch movie from free pluto tv online on last night of the retreat.

 3rd day and last day of the 22nd ANNUAL SELF ADVOCACY LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE
Sunday, October 29, 2023                                    

 

8:00 a.m.

– 9:30 a.m. Breakfast Buffet was available for self advocates to serve them self

had pancakes waffles that morning was delishes had before first work shop of day.

 

 

 9:30 a.m- 10:30 a.m.   Workshop #9:  “Speak, Share, Laugh”

     Guest speakers from the Semiamhoo Society for Community Living’s Unity

Self Advocacy Group came out and a workshop on how to speak up with confidence in public.

 

10:30 a.m. -11:30 am     Workshop #10: What does accessibility look like in 10 Years from Now

 Guest Speakers from the Mission Self Advocacy Group did talk about

how their lives will look in the future 10 YEARS FROM NOW and Esatta project doing .

 

 11:30 am -12:00 pm      Self Advocates feedback of the 3-day event how felt

about the event what like see as workshop and etc.

 

 

 GOOD BYES

And Rides Home

Until next year at 23rd annual Self Advocacy Leadership Institute at

Camp Luther stay tune for date times when event takes place

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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