WCR Letters to the Editor

Michener Centre strives to improve quality of life

As chair of the Michener board, I am committed to providing a high quality of life to the individuals who choose Michener as their home and service provider. To have this service compared (and unfavourably so) to the treatment of an animal, causes me a great deal of concern, and prompted me to write this response.

Today many people are coming forward with horrendous stories of past abuses in Canada's care facilities, and rightly so. Past wrongs must be corrected, and we in the service delivery business, must work diligently to ensure that these types of things can never happen again. We must move forward!

While I cannot change history, I am very proud of the many positive changes Michener has made over the last few years. Although we still occupy many of the same buildings, the changes inside have made them almost unrecognizable to previous visitors.

The large old "wards" have been divided into two to four separate homes, and most residents have their own private bedroom. Even so, the individuals who live in these homes deserve better.

That is why we are currently looking for ways to create new, smaller homes for Michener residents and break down the institutional environment that remains.

You mention a proposal to spend $40 million to upgrade Michener. I'm not sure where this figure comes from, but I suspect it relates to a proposal that the Michener board put forward last summer to re-develop the existing Michener lands.

A very preliminary conceptual plan was presented to the minister (which we believe would be cost neutral), and he has asked us to come back with additional details.

Recognizing that four walls are not the only component of life quality, we have also made significant changes in other areas. Staff work very hard to ensure that all of our supports and services are based on and driven by the needs and wishes of every individual resident. This works well to break down some of the inherent difficulties with congregate care.

Our board's philosophy and the focus of every staff member at Michener, is to "do whatever it takes to provide quality services in a nurturing environment which creates and fosters fulfilling, satisfying and enriched lives and which respects individual choice and control."

People are no longer "treated" on "wards," but rather, live as normal and independent a life as possible in homes. I am very proud of the steps we have taken at Michener to make this happen, but recognize that we will always need to work harder to improve services.

You are absolutely correct when you say most people can live productive and happy lives in the community. Many former Michener residents have proven that to be true. Over the years our staff have worked cooperatively with the regions to assist and support people who choose to leave Michener, and many have done so.

However, a significant number of individuals (or their families/guardians on their behalf) continue to choose Michener as their service provider. And the current minister and many before him have indicated that as long as families and guardians choose Michener, it will continue to be an option in Alberta's array of services.

The Michener board and staff are working hard to change the institutional environment and all that that implies. Our constant goal is to continue improving the quality of life of the individuals who choose our service.

I truly believe that we have made some very progressive steps and I, personally, am very proud of the service we provide. I invite you to visit Michener and see for yourself. I believe you would be positively surprised!

A.T. Hagen
Chair, Michener Board
Red Deer

Doing the devil's work

Why would you allow even one square millimetre of paper to Sinead O'Connor? The devil must be laughing - he doesn't have to do much at all really, this is doing the work for him.

With excellent letters such as the (latest) one by Robert Benn, "Holocaust article calls for rebuttal" (May 10), one would think these would have some influence on your choice of articles, or news clips, which should always exalt the Church, never tramp on it or crush it to pieces.

We are dealing with the Mystical Body of Christ.

I rejoiced in the inspiring articles which passed lately, having in mind the beautiful reflections on prayer by Bishop Thomas Collins, and others.

I suggest you forget about giving any recognition at all to the enemies of the Church. The secular press gladly does this.

All we need is positive, enlightening material reminding us that the Church is not dying, but is alive and well in countless hearts still.

Those who uphold the Church in their hearts are deeply wounded by such defamation.

Jeanne McCusker
Edmonton

Setting record straight on the Eckville CWL

Eckville never did have a Catholic church. We had two lots in town willed for a Catholic church and we really did try for years but even then we were told if we built, we would probably never have a priest (early '60s or maybe even late '50s).

One priest did try having Mass about three Sundays, upstairs in what was called "Lions Den" in our old hall, Sundays about 4 p.m. I'm not sure why it stopped.

We have always been considered part of the Sylvan Lake parish even if we are closer (by miles) to Evergreen which is in the Rocky Mountain House parish.

We started our own CWL here and when the oil activity was at the peak we had 30 plus members.

In those days everyone lived where they worked, store manager, teachers, etc., but now a lot of the places of business in a town of 800 plus commute, and too our hospital was closed in the cutbacks.

Now we are lucky if we have 10 members. As young people are too busy making a living it is left to us older people.

At one time there was great pressure on us by the powers-that-be to give up our charter and become a circle of Sylvan Lake. It is far enough to go for church but not to make several trips a week as none of us were wealthy and in many cases one-vehicle households.

So we have kept plugging away. I'm sure there is a history of our organization somewhere but I'm just writing this from my memories.

We are still quite active even though we are a small group.

Gertrude McDonald
Eckville

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