| Testimonials |
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Sept 10, 2009 I am writing this letter to recommend the CRIS organization (Community Recreational Initiative Services). I have been participating as a disabled person with CRIS for 2½ years now. I learned about their existence through the MS Society – Kelowna Chapter. During the time I have been a participant with CRIS I have noticed several things. The CRIS people are always enthusiastic, fun-loving, respectful, and caring individuals. Troy Becker who originated the organization, I believe, is to be commended most highly as a visionary humanitarian. He is very wise in his choice of staff and volunteers. As well, the equipment is carefully chosen to serve the purpose of the CRIS organization which is to provide safe outdoor activities for people with disabilities who are often otherwise housebound. So far, I have participated in kayaking, biking, and hiking. Last year a dream of mine was fulfilled when the CRIS group took me to the Myra Canyon and hiked some of the trestles and the tunnel with me in the trailrider. This was something I had always wanted to do and had never managed to fit in when I was still able-bodied. We took a lot of pictures and had tons of fun. Outdoor activities, especially hiking, nature photography, picnics, swimming, camping were my preferred recreational activities when I was an able-bodied, single mother with three children. As such, it has been one of the things I miss most as a disabled person. Last year I went on an outdoor wilderness adventure to Granby Mountain, with CRIS. I had been planning suicide for months previously and had come to the point where I was ready to do it in spite of antidepressant drugs and counselling. This was going to be my final adventure. It is very common that people with MS become seriously depressed because of the nature of the illness. On the way up the mountain we encountered alpine meadows of wildflowers, breathtaking views, a hail storm, the fording of muddy streams, and snow on the ground in August! I felt vibrant and alive. After an overnight stay on a plateau at the very peak of the mountain, cared for by young, vigorous, caring, and humorous people, I felt much better. This trip had freed me from a serious condition that would definitely have taken my life had it not been for this experience.
It brings tears to my eyes when I think of the wonderful difference CRIS (the organization, the volunteers and staff, and their sponsors) has made in my life. MS is a disease that narrows one’s life inexorably with no mercy. CRIS has provided me with joy and laughter that I thought had left my life forever. It is often the only fun I get for months and gives me strength to carry on, and even encourages me to do my exercises at home, what little I can do. I wish to express my deepest appreciation for the things the CRIS organization does for me and others in similar and worse situations than I find myself in. They saved my life! K. Meuser
September 2, 2009 To Whom It May Concern: My name is Norma ; I have been a Care Attendant for Deb for the past 5 years. Before Deb’s involvement with the CRIS program, Deb was severely depressed and refused to leave the confines of her home. Deb has been an active participant with the CRIS program and events for the past 3 years. In this time she has been able to enjoy activities such as hiking, biking and kayaking. The CRIS program for the disabled has given her a renewed sense of worth, confidence and social interaction with people. These are activities most able-bodied persons take for granted in their activities of daily living. To take this away from her now due to funding cut backs would take away her sense of worth, belonging and acceptance. It would take away her sense of “normalcy” as a disabled person. These activities not only provide her with a sense of well being, they are therapeutic physically and mentally as well. With not being able to continue these activities that most take for granted, I see Deb declining once again to her depressed, introverted state. Sincerely Norma
Quotes from Access Challenge, Aug 7th to 9th 2009 Everyone Belongs Outside “We all have to push the envelope to take ourselves beyond what we think we’re capable of.” “I got to go on a bicycle ride for the first time in my life… incredible!” “Before [my accident] I was able to give so much to my family. Because of this weekend I’ve been able to give back to my husband…when I looked at his face he was smiling.” “The team was absolutely amazing. Feeling part of the team for the first time in my life… It was something extremely new for me.” “This isn’t just about people with diabilities. Inclusion is about everyone.” “Three days ago I didn’t really know anyone of you… today I see you all as friends.” “I started doing this because I wanted to change other people’s lives, but I had no idea how much it would change mine.” “If you weren’t in the chair, it wouldn’t have made it up. It would have been heavier without you in it.” “When people see me wheeling along a pathway, they will say ‘it’s so good to see you out.’ And I want to say: ‘as opposed to where? In?’ Well, this weekend it’s great to see EVERYONE out!”
July 22, 2009 Dear CRIS volunteers, Heroes, that’s what you are to my family. The time you spend organizing, packing, unpacking, setting up and down and the actual effort of the activities themselves is overwhelming to us. And in the end when we say, “How can we thank you?” You say you do it for the smiles. Well, I wasn’t just smiling, I was crying. After 3 consecutive years of smiles and happy tears, I must say you guys have such a special place in our hearts. The gift you give these kids and families that attend our camp is beyond words. They are still on such a high. Climbing a mountain, crossing bridges and going over boulders along the way, and finally reaching that amazing destination, they felt as exhilarated as if they had climbed Mt. Everest. They had conquered! You gave them something they will always have with them….pride, excitement, self esteem and adventure. The kayaking and biking was so much fun as well, and all the while we knew you were doing it while your town was being threatened by wild fires. Still, you stayed, so you wouldn’t disappoint the kids. Amazing! You went even an extra mile for my daughter, Holli, this year. You kayaked around a point, some of you paddling one kayak and towing another so that Holli, her friend and I could get in where the water was calmer. You moved the trucks, moved the equipment, everybody putting in the extra effort for her to be able to kayak. Holli recently had spinal surgery, and when she was in the hospital, she had a picture of herself kayaking with CRIS volunteer, Rob, on the wall at the end of her bed. She kept it there as her goal for healing quickly and well enough, to be able to do that again this summer. I had to hold back tears as we loaded her into that kayak with Rob again this summer. She met her goal, she was with Rob in that kayak, only 15 weeks post surgery, earlier than she should be, scared she would hurt her spine or neck…..but doing it! She wanted it so bad, and she was so proud of herself afterwards! Thank you all for helping her to make her goal a reality! Thank you all for everything you do for people that can’t do without you. Your gifts of time and compassion are immeasureable and mean more than words can say. The kids say that they can’t wait until next year, and neither can the rest of us. As a parent, you want your child to experience as much of life as possible, but some things we just can’t give them. Thank you for giving them something we couldn’t! Sincerely, Bruce, Susi, Dexter, Holli and Amy Vander Wyk
A special Thank-You goes out to the Central Okanagan Foundation For Youth (COFFY) for their donation to CRIS to assist with providing once in a life time experiences for children with sever disabilities. these funds ensured that the children were included in outdoor activities with their families. COFFY assisted CRIS with the cost associated with our trip to Cultus Lake and provided the opportunity for 24 lcoal volunteers from Kelowna to run programs for 7 families. Of the 21 youth in attendance, 7 had severe disabilities but all had the opportunity to participate in outdoor activities together as a family.
Dear CRIS volunteers
August 9, 2007 …It brings tears to my eyes when I think of the wonderful difference CRIS (the organization, the people, and their sponsors) has made in my life. MS is a disease that narrows one’s life inexorably with no mercy. CRIS has provided me with joy and laughter that I had thought had left my life forever… Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
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March 9, 2009 To Whom It May Concern: BC Blind Sports and Recreation has an ongoing relationship with the CRIS (Community Recreation Initiatives Society) for a number of years. CRIS has coordinated a Tandem Biking Program for us in the Okanagan area. They continue to maintain our collection of tandem bikes inventory on site and ensure that the pilots are trained and matched with the blind/visually impaired riders. This program has been a great benefit to our organization as it allows us to service many of our members that would not otherwise have a regular opportunity to ride in a safe environment. It allows us to provide a recreational opportunity to a variety of ages as well. We have used and continue to have CRIS provide other recreational activities as well, including kayaking, to visually impaired students and adults both from the local area as well as those attending training camps for a number of our teams. This is a invaluable benefit to us in our mission to enhance physical activity opportunities for our members. The professional and caring manner in which CRIS facilitates our joint activities allows us to endorse their organization and their goals. Please contact me at your convenience for any further questions or clarification on our support. Mike Lonergan Program Director BC Blind Sports and Recreation Association
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