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Winnipeg Free Press Original Article
Experience of the elderly and exuberance of youth
July 14, 2008
By Erin Madden, Winnipeg Free Press
Dan Smith and Bonnie Bieganski are well aware of the great things done by the Independent Living Resource Centre. Both are clients and volunteers of the agency, which offers assistance to others with disabilities like themselves, to help them to live independently in the community.
For the past 16 years, Smith has been a familiar face around the agency, volunteering his time five days a week, for eight hours a day. The only volunteer there with his very own desk, the 85 year-old credits the agency for the fact that he has lived a long life and is still able to live on his own.
Volunteers Bonnie Bieganski and Dan Smith agree life is good thanks to the Independent Living Resource Centre.
"I'm 85 years of age and if I never had a job to do I'd have to sit home -- I would be underground many years ago. This is what keeps me going," said Smith. "I think that's the problem with most people who retire. They have no hobbies, nothing to do -- they're not going to last too long."
Twenty-five-year-old Bieganski agrees about the importance of keeping busy. The motivated and ambitious young woman left her home in Portage la Prairie two years ago to move to Winnipeg, where she enjoys being able to go to the University of Winnipeg and out to socialize with friends. With the help of the Independent Living Resource Centre, she was able to move from her old home to a new and exciting life, which she said inspires her and will help her to live a long and fulfilling life.
"I was helped by this Centre when I was looking to move to the city and not knowing where to go. They helped me believe it was possible and here I am, living on my own," said Bieganski, who relies on a wheelchair to get around and a ventilator to be able to breathe. "Now I can help out the Centre so that when somebody else comes in they can help like they did with me."
She and Smith both assist the organization with administrative work, freeing up staff members to spend more time with clients and in the community. While Smith takes care of writing and mailing out newsletters, Bieganski works on creating databases. Both also serve as volunteers with the Personal Attendant Community Education program -- a five-week training program that trains able-bodied people to be independent living attendants for people with disabilities.
"I wanted a place where disabled people are independent and they really encourage that -- I come from the kind of place where that wasn't encouraged," said Bieganski, referring to her previous home. "I've seen where I don't want to be and I've seen where I do want to be. I really like it here -- it's just so motivating."
Currently the Independent Living Resource Centre requires volunteer puppeteers for its Kids on the Block program. The program uses puppets to teach children what it is like to live with a disability. The agency also requires volunteer receptionists available to work on Thursdays and Fridays as well as those willing to volunteer with leisure programs.
If you would like more information about the Independent Living Resource Centre, or would like to become a volunteer, please contact Natalie Pirson at 947-0194. More information and a volunteer application are also available online at www.ilrc.mb.ca.
If you know a special volunteer who strives to make their community a better place to live, please contact Erin Madden at erinmadden@shaw.ca
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