Acadia SMILE story - Letter from Patricia (parent)

I just cannot thank you enough for Mick.  There was an instant connection from both ends and George looks forward to S.M.I.L.E. every week and has done exceptionally well this semester.

I am sure you are aware of the difficulty George had at the pool last year. This child who used to run around the pool crying, and not wanting to go in, now looks forward to pool time with so much of anticipation, just because of Mick.  He also dreaded the deep end, but is now swimming in the deep end throughout the whole session. Mick has helped George transition really well. George started off needing assistance getting in the pool and within a few sessions Mick has managed to get him to go into the pool voluntarily.  It was remarkable watching George succeed in such a short while.

Mick has done an excellent job with George.  He is good with raising concerns, coming up with ideas, asking for my opinion and implementing them rightaway. Mick is amazing and I could not have asked for a better instructor for George.

S.M.I.L.E., I would like to thank you once again for all that you have done for my children and what you do for the community.  My boys are very happy after the program every weekend and we go back home content and happy parents.

Thanks... Patricia

Acadia S.M.I.L.E. Story - Jody Stevenson (Acadia S.M.I.L.E. Parent)

Something happened to me a couple of on a Tuesday morning that I should share with all of you.  A little background first:  I am a SMILE mom and I am also a Resource teacher at KCA in Kentville.  As a parent, I have had many opportunities to personally witness the benefits of the SMILE program, but as a Resource teacher, I have not had that much involvement beyond sending the forms home and enthusiastically recommending the program to parents.

I have always been amazed that so many university students, all of whom have busy academic and social lives, are willing to get up so early on a Saturday (or Tuesday or Thursday) morning and spend three or more hours of their free time working with children with special needs, some of whom have significant behavioural, cognitive and physical challenges.  Sometimes I can't even believe that it's true (after all, aren't university students supposed to sleep in whenever they get the chance?), and I have counted my lucky stars that I live in the Valley so many times I couldn't even begin to keep track.  SMILE is a huge commitment, and the fact that so many of you are willing to make that commitment is mind-boggling to me.  I did my fair share of volunteering in university, but I never got up at 7 am to do it!

I could write a page (actually pages and pages) about how much SMILE has meant to my family, but I want to focus on the morning that motivated me to write this letter.  Two weeks ago, one of our KCA SMILE drivers was sick and unable to make it to school.  Unfortunately, we didn't really have a back-up driver, and the decision was made that one of the older students - I'll call him Ryan -would stay back.   I thought that he would be able to handle it better than some of the younger kids, and I really didn't think it would be a big deal for him, as he is not autistic and generally handles change and surprises as well as anyone else.  Twenty minutes after the decision had been made, I was called to the lobby to provide support for a upset student.  Running downstairs, not knowing who I was being called to support, I found Ryan sitting on one of the benches in the main foyer of the school, sobbing uncontrollably and incoherently because he couldn't go to SMILE.  It broke all our hearts, and thankfully, the decision was made that I could cancel my classes for the morning and bring him to SMILE myself. 

During the car ride to Wolfville, I found out exactly how wrong I was when I thought that missing SMILE would not be a big deal for Ryan.  It turns out that SMILE is the ONLY opportunity he has each week to drive in a car, the ONLY chance he has to visit another town, and the ONLY time he has the one-on-one attention he craves.  Ryan feels safe, accepted and important when he goes to SMILE - feelings that he doesn't get to experience as much as we would all like him to in the rest of his daily life.

Watching Ryan and two other KCA students that I work with in the pool that morning, I finally fully realized what SMILE gives to students like Ryan.  To put it simply, SMILE brings smiles to their faces - smiles that are not there nearly enough, smiles that light up their faces and make people see them for who they really are - wonderful, playful kids, having fun and enjoying a swim with a friend.  It was a very moving experience for me, and made me determined to try even harder to make them laugh and smile when I see them in school.  Thank you to each of you for helping me learn the value of a smile!

Anyway, I just wanted to write to express my thanks to all he volunteers and hopefully help everyone understand how important they are to these kids.  If it weren't for you, kids like Ryan might not have a solid hour of fun and laughter in their lives, or they might not have a positive role model outside of school.  If it wasn't for you, they wouldn't have as many opportunities to enjoy being a kid or as many reasons to smile.  Thank you for everything you do to make SMILE such an amazing program for all the kids that get to participate.  Your energy, enthusiasm, dedication and patience is recognized and appreciated by parents, Resource teachers, EAs, and anyone else lucky enough to be part of the SMILE experience.

Sincerely,

Jody Stevenson
(a.k.a.: Nora and Anna's mom)

Acadia S.M.I.L.E. Story - Pat Murphy

December 20, 1995 the founder and director of SMILE passed away.  This individual had a positive impact on hundreds of young people and, in many cases, the impact was profound and life changing.  I was one of those young people in the profound category.  I’m no longer that young, however, I feel the influence of this man every day. 

He was, a strong teacher, a national winning coach, a good father who became great, an excellent role model for service and for me, he was a fabulous friend.  SMILE was the embodiment of its creator.  The program at its core was about the awesome power of relationships.  It is a belief that a bond with a significant person in your life makes a difference and sometimes it makes all the difference. 

I still, to this day, come into contact with people who tell me stories of how this man changed their life in small ways and, in many cases, in deep and potent ways.  Often the stories are related to career paths, personal determination and variations of their personal character development.  I meet many parents of children who were involved in SMILE and they talk of the influence of the program on their children and affect it had on their development.  Those parents still speak of his kindness, compassion, sense of humour and how he influenced their outlook on their life and that of their children.

Without Jack I would not be what I am today, such as it is.

Acadia S.M.I.L.E. Story - Kerry Worbets BKIN '12

Wolfville Nova Scotia, the stomping grounds of students from Acadia University who flock to Main Street come the start of every school year. I remember the air fresh with excitement of finally being on your own, rekindled friendships at ‘Just Us’ or ‘Library Pub’ (dealers choice), that first night back at the ‘Anvil’ where you literally know everyone there, and the anxiety of starting yet another semester of school. These are the memories that flood my mind when I remember the start of the school year, but not what defines my experience at Acadia University. The Acadia SMILE Program is what defines my experience. One thing you may not appreciate or even realize is that Acadia is a gold mine for opportunities to get involved and gain experience that may shape the road you take after you do leave that town. So while you still are still walking that beautiful campus, please do yourself a favor and get involved. Acadia hands opportunities out to their students on silver platters, and it is your choice to take them. One of the best decisions I made was to involve myself with SMILE.  I started out my first year as an instructor, and had the pleasure of getting more involved every year finishing my time as Student Director for Tuesday/Thursday mornings. This program truly changed my life and is the greatest influence on the path that I have taken in my life.

I can promise you that you will never be HANDED another opportunity like this to be involved and make a difference like you can in this program. At its very basics, SMILE is an 8-week program where you develop a plan and set goals that are specific to a child to try to make their experience the best possible. However, once you get involved you will realize how much more it is than that. You will become part of a community and part of a child’s life in a capacity that is unexplainable. You have the opportunity to spend one on one time with a young child who will adore you from the minute you step into that gym or pool. You are the one person in their life that they can call their own. They have to share parents, teachers, friends, but their SMILE buddy is their own. I can promise that your SMILE buddy will make as much a difference in your life as you do in theirs. Being a student director I had the pleasure of being able to be watch these relationships form on the pool deck, to watch goals being met and the excitement of everyone involved as this occurred. The first time a child swam without a lifejacket, danced on the pool deck, played in a group game, swam a lap across the pool, asked a new friend to play a game, and YOU were a part of that. My Tuesday and Thursday mornings were what got me through the busy and tough times at school. For an hour every morning I got to watch friendships being formed, games being played, and people with happy hearts. My advice to you all is to get out of your comfort zones and to get involved; it will be the best decision you will ever make.

Acadia S.M.I.L.E. Story - Michael Del Bel & Mike

My Acadia S.M.I.L.E. story started four years ago, when I was a terrified first year looking to get involved in the Acadia community. My sisters before me had been involved with the program and highly suggested it, so I thought I'd try it out, and I've never been more happy about a decision that I've made! I was matched with my buddy and all set to go, again, I was terrified and I had no idea what to expect. When I met my buddy, Mike on that first night in September, my fears were soon gone and I had the realization that Mike and I would be friends for a long time. Four years later and we're still good friends! Being able to develop a relationship with Mike and to see him grow in confidence and character each week made my decision to be a part of the S.M.I.L.E. program well worth it. I'll never forget my time with the S.M.I.L.E. program at Acadia, it has been (and will be) one of the most rewarding experiences of my life and will be tough to beat in the years to come.
This year, I'm very thankful to be in a leadership role within the program. Having the opportunity to give back to the program and help facilitate the weekly events that take place for the Friday Night group is truly a privilege. I look forward to each Friday, not because it's the weekend, but because I get to go to S.M.I.L.E.!!!

S.M.I.L.E. Awareness - Twitter

S.M.I.L.E. is now on twitter @smileacadia and it has been a great move by the program. Twitter is a great avenue to share stories and hear about people/events that are important to you.

You get to choose who you follow and the resources available are well worth the time. The beauty of twitter is that it is very professional and does not require a divulgence of personal information or photos. It is a clean and clear method to connect with people who have the same beliefs and goals!

Breaking Down Barriers

Check out this video: Very POWERFUL and great message.

http://youtu.be/oz0zU_cQbFg

Thanks Luke and Update

A huge thanks to Luke Sanford for providing us with an update on Pine Tree Camp while he was down there earlier in the month. Pine Tree is an exceptional place for everyone and certainly looks like a ton of fun!

The SMILE program was in action last weekend as well. Camp Catapult which is a leadership camp for teenagers going into high school participated in a SMILE day. Sunday August 22, 2011 the campers got a feel of what the SMILE program at Acadia is all about including a chance to play Sledge hockey, goal ball, boccia ball and take part in an obstacle course.

It was a great opportunity to create awareness for children and youth with varying ability levels and provide the campers with an experience they have never had.

We are now just a week away from the start of the Academic year at Acadia and the start of the SMILE program! 

Pine Tree Camp Update - Luke Sanford - Take 3!

Hello again from Pine Tree Camp! 

A quick update about Luke's last few days at camp! He and Stuart finished up the week with lots of activities. 

They went to archery in Outdoor Games! 

They went to the overnight for dinner over the campfire, made wish boats and s'mores too! 

On the beach getting ready to send out his wish boat

Hanging out with friends! 

The week ended with a visit from the ice cream truck, the banquet, awards night and the DANCE! 

Luke had a great week and we look forward to seeing him next year for another 

fantastic summer at Pine Tree Camp! 

Thanks for reading! 

Mel 

Pine Tree Camp Update (2) - Luke Sanford

Hello from Pine Tree Camp!

Just wanted to share some of the highlights of Luke's time at camp so far. We've been keeping him very busy!

Luke has participated in a number of activities including Arts-n-Crafts where he painted a birdhouse and a small wooden car. He and Stuart also went fishing on the pontoon boats! Only one fish was caught that morning by a fellow camper. Maybe the next fishing trip will be more successful! Luke has also gone to Outdoor Games and played a game of soccer and basketball with his cabin mates. He and Stuart have gone swimming a couple of times in the lake :)  This morning Luke went to the Nature program in the tree house! Pine Tree Camp is proud to have the only fully accessible tree house in the state of Maine! The activity was a lesson on animal tracks and scats. Then they used plaster of paris to make molds of the different animals' tracks and scats. Luke made a mold of a porcupine track!

This week the cabins are participating in a Colour War! Luke's cabin, Cabin 5, is green. Campers and counselors participate in a bunch of different challenges throughout the week to earn points for their team. One of the counselor challenges was an onion eating contest. Ew! Cabin 5 stayed strong through all of the tears and came in 3rd place! Nice work boys! Another way for the teams to earn points is to decorate the cabin. Boy did Cabin 5 go all out! They searched all over camp for anything and everything they could find that was green including a small christmas tree for the front room!


Right now Luke is out sailing on the lake with Stuart and a camp volunteer named Bruce. It's a beautiful day for sailing! We hope you've enjoyed this little update and the photos. 

Thanks for reading!

Mel & Stuart

Pine Tree Camp Update - Luke Sanford

Hi all

Luke has asked us to update on his adventure this week - his annual return to Pine Tree Camp (http://www.pinetreesociety.org/camp.asp). This year there was some new fun and excitement brought on by flying to Boston with his family and camp co-conspirator Stuart Layton (Acadia Kinesiology student). From there we enjoyed an entertaining drive to New Hampshire with Uncle Darrell (Darrell Zwicker - founder of Zoo Nation - http://zoonation.com/). Dad, Stuart and Luke then went on together to Maine.

Before getting to camp we went for a great supper in Freeport followed by a visit to LL Bean (some cool kayaks there).

Exciting times on camp arrival as longtime SMILE volunteer and former SMILE staff member Mel Dash was on hand to greet Luke. Met Cabin 5 leaders - Joe, Josh, Nick, Mike, and Taff. Stuart and Luke settled in and enjoyed a few laughs at the end of a long day.

Luke also wants to let everyone know about a special blog from his good friend - Acadia Basketball Axemen team member Owen Klassen who has a blog at  http://acadiabasketball.com/. Owen is representing Canada in China right now.

Lots of old faces and new faces to become acquainted with. Looking forward to a fun week.

Mel and Stuart will update on adventures so far tomorrow. Luke looks forward to seeing everyone on his return to Nova Scotia next week. 

Thanks

Luke's Dad (James)

Awereness Wednesday - PE Central

Today I would like to share with you, a phenomenal resource for activities and games for children and youth. Games that are age appropriate and work on all areas of fundamental motor skills, balance, aquatics, nutrition, etc. 

These activities are capable of being adapted to specific needs and are great to develop all levels of children's abilities.

PE Central is a resource that we use at S.M.I.L.E. constantly and derive many of our activities and games for the kids on a weekly basis.

Check out http://pecentral.org for all these great resources!

Pine Tree Camp

As a program specializing in Adapted Physical activity for children/youth with disabilities, the S.M.I.L.E. program provides a great opportunity for many people in the Annapolis Valley. In the interest of working together, today's Awareness piece will be on Pine Tree Camp.

Located in the state of Maine, Pine Tree Camp helps individuals with disabilities lead richer, more socially connected lives.

Pine Tree Camp was established in 1945 as a summer therapy outlet for children with disabilities. Over the years, it has evolved into an innovative barrier-free environment offering fully accessible recreation to Maine children and adults with physical and/or developmental disabilities. Pine Tree Camp is proud to be Maine’s only American Camping Association-Accredited camp for people with disabilities.

Pine Tree Camp is set on 285 beautiful acres of woods, fields and more than a mile of waterfront on North Pond in Maine’s Belgrade Lakes region. Pine Tree Camp’s facility includes 38 buildings, more than a mile of accessible nature trails, two accessible overnight camping areas and Maine’s only fully accessible treehouse.

Pine Tree Camp offers a number of programs for children and adults with disabilities including an overnight camp, day camp, a retreat space for groups with similar mission and specialized camping including Camp Communicate, a camp experience for children who use high-tech devices to communicate.

visit: http://www.pinetreesociety.org/camp.asp for more information

Awareness Wednesday - Boccia

Here we go...Wednesday is upon us and it is time for Awareness Wednesday with the SMILE program.

This week we are going to talk about the paralympic sport Boccia. We were fortunate to have Keven Smith-Worthylake come back to SMILE this year and give our participants and volunteers a session Friday night and Saturday Morning. Keven is a former SMILE participant, Volunteer leader and alumni of Acadia University. Keven now competes with the Canadian Paralympic team in Boccia. His success in the sport has been remarkable thus far winning a gold medal this past summer!


Boccia is a game of precision that requires extreme muscle control, accuracy and intense focus and concentration. It is practiced in more than 50 countries today.
Strategically similar to lawn bowling, Boccia is played indoors on a flat, smooth surface. The objective is to throw, kick, or use an assistive device to propel leather balls (six per competitor) as close as possible to a white target ball (called the “jack”) on a long, narrow field of play. A match has four ends. At the end of the game players receive 1 point for each ball closer to the “jack” than their opponent’s. 
All events are mixed gender and feature individual, pair, and team competitions for a total of seven medal events. Throwers with cerebral palsy play in teams of three members for six ends; each team member “throws” two of the six balls per end. Pair games are played by athletes with non-cerebral disabilities who are able to throw and by athletes who may use a ramp as an assistive device to propel the ball.  A pair of two plays four ends with each playing three balls.
Crowd participation is welcomed and encouraged, however, spectators, including team members not in competition, are encouraged to remain quiet during the action of a player throwing the ball.
Boccia is governed by the Cerebral Palsy International Sports & Recreation Association (CPISRA) internationally and The Canadian Cerebral Palsy Sports Association (CCPSA) within Canada.

Who can compete   

Paralympic Boccia is open to male and female athletes with severe locomotor disabilities of a cerebral or non-cerebral origin. This includes individuals with cerebral palsy (CP), stroke, traumatic brain injury, high-level spinal cord injuries, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, ALS and arthrogryposis.  Only athletes with a severe disability are eligible to compete in Boccia.
Players are classified into four classes depending on their functional ability:

• BC1: For both CP1 throwers and CP2 foot players. Athletes may compete with the help of an assistant, who must remain outside the athlete's playing box. The assistant can only stabilize or adjust the playing chair and give a ball to the player on his request.
• BC2: For CP2 throwing players. Players are not eligible for assistance.
• BC3: For players with a very severe physical disability. Players use an assistive device and may be assisted by a person, who will remain in the player's box but who must keep his/her back to the court and eyes averted from play.
• BC4: For players with other severe physical disabilities. Players are not eligible for assistance.

History

Boccia originated in Ancient Greece and was later refined by Italians in the 16^th century when its popularity spread worldwide.  It was first introduced to the Paralympics at the 1984 New York Games and included in the official program of events in the 1992 Barcelona Paralympic Games, primarily for athletes with cerebral palsy. Boccia was opened up to athletes using assistive devices in the 1996 Games. Boccia has no counterpart in the Olympic program.

source: www.paralympic.ca

Awareness Wednesday

Today I am going to do a piece on Awareness....let's call it Awareness Wednesday.

Today's we will focus on Autism:

People with autism generally do not have the innate ability to read body language or the emotions of others. There can also be a difficulty in understanding the complex social rules that make up "normal society", which most of us learn and internalize quickly and without explicit instruction. Empathy can also be a challenge as individuals with autism have a lot of difficulty understanding that people around them have thoughts and feelings that are different from their own. This is often referred to as being Mindblind.

Many people with autism have a need for stability, for routine, for sameness. Making the transition between one activity and another can be very difficult, as can be changes in routines. The tolerance for change varies from individual to individual, with some having fewer problems to those whose rigidity can be very severe. This can be exhibited in ritualistic behaviours, like eating the same thing for lunch every day in the same order, or arranging toys and furniture for hours until it is in a desired location. Some autistic people will also develop an obsession for a particular object, or an area of knowledge. This can be everything from amassing an encyclopedic knowledge about refrigerator motors or hockey statistics, to only eating crunchy foods. There is a genuine sense of fear and anxiety when routines are upset, which can make our hectic, fast paced world a very trying place to live. Autistic people can learn to overcome some of the issues around rigidity with intervention, practice and understanding.

People with autism also interact with objects differently that those who do not have autism. Children with autism do not generally engage in the same sort of 'pretend play' with their toys that normally developing children do. For example, for a normally developing child, a large cardboard box might present a host of possibilities for play - a house, a spaceship, a car - and in the process imprint his life experiences onto that play. For a child with autism, play might involve playing with the flaps on the edge of the box, or tearing the box into strips - an activity that might provide a sensory reward.

Current data indicates that ASDs occur in 1 of every 110 people. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, USA, 2009) Diagnostic criteria have been more clearly defined and broadened in recent years, and this does account for some increase in diagnosis. The apparent rise of cases is one of the many controversies surrounding autism.

The one thing scientists do know is that autism is NOT caused by bad parenting, emotional stress or "refrigerator mothers".

The most recent studies suggest there is genetic component to Autistic Spectrum Disorders. However, scientists do not know if genetics is the sole factor, or if there are environmental triggers.
There is a lot of controversy about what causes Autistic Spectrum Disorders.

The most controversial theory concerns vaccinations, or more specifically the addition of thimerosal, a mercury based preservative in some vaccines, including the MMR. Thimerosal has not been an additive in vaccines in Canada since 1997, and was removed from vaccines in Nova Scotia and other provinces much earlier. Several large epidemiological studies have reported no evidence to suggest a link between vaccines and ASD. Research is ongoing.

Other theories include the influence environmental toxins or pollution. There is some speculation that autism is allergy induced by gluten and casein, found in wheat and milk based products. Recent studies have suggested that extraordinary brain growth in early infancy could be an indicator of autism.

Appropriate interventions and therapies are as individual each person with autism. Early intervention one of the keys to helping people with ASD manage their condition and operate more fully in society. There are a variety of interventions that are used with autism, including behavioral therapies, speech therapy, communication strategies, medication, dietary changes and measures for coping with sensory issues. There is no miracle cure and no "one size fits all" approach to autism.

There are many adults with autism who feel they do not need to be 'cured'. They have many unique talents and abilities that can benefit others and these talents should be celebrated.

Source: www.provincialautismcentre.ca. Please check out their site for more info. 

You've Got a Friend in Me

People First Terminology

As a leading program in the field of Adapted Physical activity it is our job to transfer knowledge about individuals living with disabilities and to provide opportunities for those to succeed to their full potential.

The S.M.I.L.E. program has been giving opportunities to individuals for many years. Some have been able to use the skills they have learn here, to be able to cope with their day to day situations. Others have gone on to become athletes (Keven Smith-Worthylake, David "Bambi" Bambrick) and compete at high levels on the national stage. Whatever their situation is, our goal is to make it better.

But, first and foremost the S.M.I.L.E. program has been an advocate that EVERYONE is a person first. We are not defined by what we do but instead of who we are. Sydney Crosby is a hockey player, not a hockey player named Sydney. Matt lives with Autism, not the Autistic kid Matt...We have to first treat people as people and we can successfully go from there. Be aware of the decisions you make and take time to look at the ABILITIES individuals possess.

Big week for the SMILE Program

First of all, we love that picture below...if that doesn't bring a smile to your face...you should think about getting some rest!

The program is seeing some great strides this summer, thanks in large part to the summer staff we have in place. We are so fortunate to have our program run through a university with so many young, eager and bright students here to help out. Surround yourself with the right people and great things will happen...exhibit A = 30 YEARS OF THE SMILE PROGRAM!!! We're doing something right and the people have 90% to do with that!

This week we have been invited to be part of the Axemen Hockey dinner which takes place annually at the Acadia Arena. Shana and Alyssa (awesome summer students) are going to be on site giving away 25 tickets to the Chris Crowley Event!!! The tickets have been purchased by the Axemen Hockey Team. Coach Darren Burns, an Acadia Alum and former Leader in the SMILE program, has been more than generous during his tenure with the Axemen. You can always bet that half a dozen Axemen players volunteer with the program each year!

Shana and Alyssa will also have a booth set up promoting the SMILE program, introducing the friends of SMILE program and Donor of the Day program. Great initiatives to reconnect with the SMILE alumni and SMILE community.

Chris Crowley will be here Sunday to talk to us about healthy living and an active lifestyle. Tickets are only $5 with a free will offering at the door. 100% of the proceeds will go to the SMILE program. Get you tickets from the Box office at Acadia or Box of Delights in Wolfville!! 350 tickets have been sold to this event, which promises to be very powerful!

Stay in touch! 

Makes Me S.M.I.L.E. Everytime!!

Why don't you blog about it...

The SMILE program is definitely at a high point in its existence but not without all the work that has come before it...we are now approaching its 30th year...longer than Subway has been in Atlantic Canada.

The program has seen thousands of people involved both as volunteers and and as participants and its certainly still a coin toss as to who benefits most...for now, we'll call it a tie. The number of Acadia Students who spend their time each week and every program day is remarkable and now totaling 281 people per semester.

Everyone you go around the valley people have  heard of the program and a large portion have been involved or witnessed its impact one way or another...The program looks forward to carrying well into the next 30 years and with the continued support of volunteers, parents, participants, community members, Acadia University and SMILE enthusiasts, it will continue to provide an opportunity for growth and development for all pieces involved