Peer Support

It is through the context of a supportive peer environment that an individual can gain the skills and self-confidence needed to overcome barriers and to learn to manage personal and community resources. It is a structured relationship in which people meet in order to provide or exchange emotional support with others facing similar challenges.

"Comfort comes from knowing that people have made the same journey. And solace comes from understanding how others have learned to sing again.” Helen Steiner Rice

Past groups include:

• CHICKS (Communicating Healthy Issues Combining Knowledge with Sexuality)
• ISCI (Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury)
• Women
• Youth

For more information about Peer Support please contact us by phone at 250-595-0044 or by email: peersupport@drcvictoria.com

In the Community:

Vancouver Island Society of Disabled Artists

The society was founded by Alistair Green & Garry Curry. It was created to show other people with disabilities the tools that Alistair and Garry have created and how they are used.

Their Mission:

• To support persons with disabilities that would like to become professional artists.
• To introduce disabled children and newly injured to a user-friendly art studio.
• To research and develop new power-assisted equipment that will allow artists to increase their productivity.
• To provide individuals with the opportunity to become financially independent.
• To support our members by providing a means to demonstrate their artwork in local and national art galleries.
• To give a voice to the experience of living with a disability.

Check out the website: www.visoda.org

BCPA's Vintage/50+ Peer Group

The Vintage/50+ Peer Group meets the second Wednesday of each month from 1:00pm - 3:00pm at the Victoria Disability Resource Centre at 817 A Fort St.

Excerpt from last meeting:

"It would be safe to say that our abilities have changed over the years and we have learned to cope with each change. We value hearing how others have dealt with the changes that are now on our own horizons. Hopefully we can plan and be better prepared for their eventuality. As always, it was good to learn from each other and explore ideas with peers who have ‘been there’."

For more information or to be added to the email distribution list please contact Scott Heron at 250-475-2622 or sheron@bcpara.org