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What's happening...
- Adapted Dance Opportunity
- Purdy's "For The Love of Chocolate" - orders due Nov 9th!
- KMS NE - Milwaukee Day Nov 13 - Volunteers Needed!
- Hearts of Hope - Christmas Party Planning Continues
- IF Conference, It's A Wrap
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Read it. Share it. Be part of the impact.
Our newsletter is the best way to stay up to date with everything happening at SBHASA. As we reduce extra emails, this is where you’ll find the latest news, events, and opportunities.
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Volunteer Opportunities Are Open!
Spots are limited and fill quickly — don’t wait to sign up! With no casino this year, volunteering is more important than ever for earning points. We want to make sure all volunteers are comfortable and safe in their roles while still having a great experience supporting the event. Please review the job description provided with each role and be mindful to select position(s) best suited for your ability. Some positions may have minimum age requirements for everyone's safety.
Once you register, please commit to your spot and save the date.
Bonus: Proxies (family or friends volunteering for you) still count toward your volunteer points!
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Volunteer Spots To Be Filled!
SignUp HERE
| | Remember, SAFETY IS KEY. We want to make sure all volunteers are comfortable and safe in their roles while still having a great experience supporting the event. Please review the job description provided with each role and be mindful to select position(s) best suited for your ability. | | | |
BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!
Make sure to SHARE this post with Friends & Family!
*NEW --> Supporters in other Provinces can now have their order shipped directly to them while still supporting SBHASA! (shipping fees apply @ checkout).
If you're attending the SBHASA Christmas Party, we are happy to have your order there for pick up!
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Important Message:
We're excited to announce that tickets are now available for our 5th Annual Christmas Party! 🎄
To give our immediate families the first opportunity to reserve their spots, tickets will be available exclusively to immediate family members until November 5th.
Beginning November 6th, we're happy to extend the invitation to extended family and friends, as space permits!
Details, including special rates for out of town guests, can be viewed at the ticket link below.
Purdy's Chocolate Orders: For those attending the Christmas Party, we're happy to bring your Purdy's orders along for convenient pickup!
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In October, SBHASA President Joe Dzurilla travelled to Montreal, Quebec, to represent our association at the three-day International Federation for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Conference. During the event, Joe had the opportunity to network, gather valuable information, and build meaningful connections within our broader Spina Bifida community.
One of those connections was Romeila Son, President of Spina Bifida Families of Canada, who generously shared the SportChek discount links with our groups. Thank you, Romeila, for sharing this valuable resource and helping support our SB community!
We would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Joe for his ongoing hard work, dedication, and the time he continues to sacrifice to represent and support SBHASA. Your commitment to our community is truly appreciated!
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MEET THE BOARD
Tracy Boisselle,
Member at Large
Hi My name Tracy Boisselle and I was born with spina bifida in 1957. In spite of not being expected to live even 6 minutes, I’m still here at the ripe old age of 69. I grew up in Winnipeg and I was able to walk with the help of leg braces so I was able to do all the “normal" kid stuff with my friends, despite sometimes having to spend many months in hospital having mostly experimental surgeries to improve my mobility. At 22, I married the love of my life Kathy (and yes, she did edit this). In 1988 we went on to have my daughter Carly. Shortly after her birth I ended up needing to use my wheelchair full time. My journey has not been an easy one but I try to approach life with a positive attitude and a good sense of humour - taking each day as it comes. I retired from my career in 2006 as a technician for Sears. I still love to tinker around fixing electronics in my spare time. I am currently living in High River with my wife Kathy, dog Maisy, and our crazy African Grey Parrot Scarlett. Our daughter and grandkids Jett and Jade also live in High river.
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MEET THE BOARD
Dianne Page,
Member at Large
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As the year begins to wind down, the 2026 Board came together in person on National Spina Bifida & Hydrocephalus Day to celebrate our members, reflect on this year’s successes, and look ahead to the exciting opportunities 2027 will bring!
With so much to celebrate and more exciting things on the horizon, we’re already putting plans in motion for another great year!
Board nomination forms will be available in next month’s newsletter, along with the announcement of our upcoming AGM.
Stay tuned — there’s lots to look forward to! 💚
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OH WHAT FUN!!!
Thank you to all our wonderful volunteers for helping to make KMS Tools NE Grand Opening Oct 2nd & 3rd such a success!
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Thinking About Getting More Involved? We welcome anyone in Alberta to apply!
As we're past the halfway point of the year, we invite you to start thinking about whether joining the SBHASA Board might be right for you! We have 4 Executive and 8 Member at Large positions, all 12 positions are considered open and up for application and election (2 year terms which can be extended if required).
Board members play an important role in helping shape the future of our organization. Meetings are held monthly, and active Board members help spread awareness, support events, share ideas, provide feedback through surveys, and work together to ensure we continue delivering meaningful programs and services for our members and families.
If you've ever wanted to make a difference, contribute your skills, or have a voice in the direction of our association, we encourage you to give it some thought over the next couple of months.
Board positions are limited, and the application link will be shared in our Fall newsletter. We would love to hear from you!
You don't need previous board experience—just a passion for supporting our community and a willingness to get involved.
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SBHAC (National) Bursary Program
DEADLINES (TWICE A CALENDAR YEAR)
PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
To encourage and support students with spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus by assisting them in pursuing higher education at university or other post-secondary studies.
If you would like more information concerning the National Bursary Program, please email info@sbhac.ca.
Applications must be emailed and be time-stamped by Noon (DST) of the
- The third Wednesday in July
- The third Wednesday in November
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SCHOLARSHIPS FOR ALBERTA HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
A Grade 12 student from Medicine Hat built a web portal that puts more than 2,000 scholarships for Alberta high school students in one place.
Every high school student in this province should know about it— check it out!
www.scholarab.ca
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Empty bottles lying around? Electronics or clothes to purge?
SKIPtheDEPOT - everything you need to recycle your bottles, electronics, and clothes from the comfort of your couch. And the best part - your donation helps SBHASA!
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"Progress in hydrocephalus research starts with lived experience. By sharing your experience in HAPPIER, you provide researchers with critical data that can lead to better understanding of causes, intervention strategies, & treatment options. If you are living with hydrocephalus or care for someone who is, join the Hydrocephalus Patient Registry today!"
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Reminders & Tips:
If a member receives AISH, please also check with them to see if your item(s) qualify for coverage before requesting reimbursement from SBHASA (ie ambulance bills, medical supplies, medication etc.).
AADL covers 4 catheters per day. Contact your OT or clinic nurse to arrange this.
Call your medical equipment provider and request a bulk price for catheters - you should not be paying more than $1.30 per catheter.
When applying for coverage, reimbursement order is as follows:
1. Any Government Source (FSCD/PDD/AISH/AADL etc.)
2. Private Insurance
3. SBHASA (must meet volunteer requirements)
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Alberta Disability Assistance Program
Alberta Disability Assistance Program (ADAP) started in July 2026. Under this program, disability income support will be splitting into 2 pathways: AISH for people whose severe disabilities prevent them from working and ADAP for people with severe disabilities who are assessed as able to work with support. There will be one combined application for both ADAP and AISH.
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ADAP Calculator Alberta 2026
See how much ADAP pays, how much AISH pays, and the monthly difference between the two programs based on your employment income.
| | Other Tips, Resources & Savings | | |
Starlight Canada - Making Children Smile, Helping Families Cope. **Highly recommended by SBHASA families already enrolled** Several free family events and gifts for the kids throughout the year!
Access 2 Cards - Sponsored by Easter Seals Canada, great savings for families. Save money on Movies, Calgary Zoo, Calgary Farmyard, and so much more!
RDSP Grants & Bonds - free money for children with disabilities, no money required to join. Steven Williams can help you get started - steven@rdsplan.ca or Ph: (587) 777-6250 or (844) 292-7377
Funding Opportunity Ceridian Cares provides grants up to $5000 to Canadian families for food, clothing, footwear, and household items. They provide assistance for medical devices, home adjustments for barrier free living, and recreation programs for individuals and families in need. Click HERE for more information or to apply.
** Make sure to check out "Alberta Adaptive Equipment Sale/Swap" on Facebook for discounted deals on gently used items!
The Board has collectively put together a list of helpful resources/links for members - these are great associations to follow up social media and sign up for their updates ... Hydrocephalus Canada has many great complimentary webinars!
SBHANA
Starlight Foundation
Easter Seals
Hydrocephalus Canada
Spina Bifida of America
CP Kids (Bike Program)
Hydrocephalus Canada offers great (FREE) webinars and information year round. Don't miss out, sign up here
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With individuals and families reaching across the Southern Alberta region, from the BC to Saskatchewan borders and from Red Deer to the Montana border, we’re so grateful to be part of such a strong, connected community. To help ensure our programs, events, and communications run smoothly for everyone, SBHASA has put the following guidelines in place:
Double-Check Emails Before Asking Questions
Many answers can be found directly in our newsletters and event emails. We kindly ask that you review these carefully before reaching out. If you have a question, chances are that several other families are wondering the same thing—and the information is often already included in the event details we’ve shared. This helps us support all families more efficiently.
Please be sure to note deadlines and complete the required online forms once they are activated. Online forms are often only accessible during the specified period of time given.
*Tip: Keep the last 1-2 newsletters in your inbox for updates or information you may have overlooked.
Responding to Events
Please follow all event invitations and sign-up instructions closely. This ensures your registration is processed correctly and helps us plan successful, inclusive events for everyone.
Contacting The SBHASA Team
Email is the best way to reach us for non-urgent questions. Texts and phone calls are reserved for urgent matters on event days only, as our personal phones are used for these communications.
Sliding Scale Policy
SBHASA strives to ensure sufficient volunteer opportunities are available for all members. Signing up early for events is important, as spots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Reminder: Family members or friends (also known as “proxies”) who volunteer on a member’s behalf do count toward that member’s volunteer points. If a volunteer is unable to attend at the last minute, we kindly ask that the member make every effort to arrange for a family member or friend to step in on their behalf whenever possible.
Thank you to everyone who signed up, committed, and fulfilled their obligations. Your efforts lightened the load for others—it truly takes a village.
Your cooperation helps us create the best possible experience for our entire community. It also helps us to be more efficient in providing our services a/or programs. Thank you for being such an important part of SBHASA—we truly couldn’t do this without you.
Warm regards,
SBHASA Team
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Need forms or information? VISIT: sbhasa.ca
Review the Sliding Scale Funding Support Details: Click Here
Help grow awareness and support SBHASA by following and sharing our social media:
IG: @sbhasa.team
FB: Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Association of Southern Alberta – SBHASA
Invite family and friends to follow along, share our posts, and sign up for a free Friends & Others membership to receive our monthly newsletter.
All links can be found on the SBHASA homepage.
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Memberships renew January of each year and are due by Jan 31st
*Note: Memberships must be current to access the Funding Support Program
(must meet volunteer requirements)
Points are not accumulated when memberships are not current.
For just $20, you will be kept up to date on all the latest SBHASA news, updates, programs, fundraisers, contests, and social events.
"Individual/Immediate Family" Memberships also get access to all the SBHASA programs including the Support Fund (conditions apply), Christmas Party, Scholarships, Camps and so much more!
CLICK HERE for Membership Form - New/Renewal
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Our Mission: To Improve The Quality Of Life Of All Individuals With Spina Bifida a/o Hydrocephalus
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