This Week's Possibilities Newsletter is Here

Donations Through Donuts

Tim Hortons #ChooseToInclude Donuts Raise Funds for Special Olympics Canada

Debbie and Sarah picked up #ChooseToInclude donuts over the weekend! Tim Hortons featured a delicious #ChooseToInclude donut January 28-30, with 100% of the proceeds supporting Special Olympics Canada! Special Olympics Canada is part of an international movement dedicated to enriching the lives of Canadians with an intellectual disability through sport. Their vision is that sport can open hearts and minds towards people with intellectual disabilities to create inclusive communities all across Canada. There are more than 41,000 Special Olympics athletes across the country.

TEAM ENSEMBLE

Our Families and Yours

Support systems - whatever form they take - can make all the difference when we strive to achieve our own personal goals.

We want Ensemble to be your “go to“ family support system. Maybe our web links below will inspire you to:

Connect with other families who share similar situations?
Discover community resources?
Share opportunities?

We will strive to ignite your imagination as you discover a life of new found available possibilities.

Nothing is impossible! We can do it!

Together ~ ENSEMBLE

Your Family Consultants,

Marilyn, Lois and Rubina

ensemble@communitylivingessex.org or 519-776-6483, ext 225

Things Special Needs Parents Need to Survive and Thrive

9 Things Never to Say to a Parent of a Special Needs Child

Celebrating 15 Years!

Earlier this week, Christina celebrated her 15^th anniversary working at McDonald's in Leamington! Congratulations on this wonderful milestone!

McDonald's Leamington had this to say on their Facebook page: Join us in congratulating Christina on her 15^th anniversary! Christina plays an integral role within our team. She goes above and beyond to ensure our restaurant is clean and safe for both guests and her co-workers. Thank you, Christina for all of your hard work over the past 15 years!

Bringing Awareness to Hidden Disabilities

Hidden Disability Symbol Canada (HDSC) is advocating that Canada establish a national Hidden Disability Symbol.

A Hidden Disability may be a short-term or long -term condition, or illness that is not visible.

To increase community awareness, the HDSC believes that a national symbol is needed "because hidden disabilities are not readily apparent to others, there is a need for awareness, self-advocacy and representation of the Hidden Disability Community". The HDSC explains why they have chosen the work hidden because:

‘Hidden’ is inclusive. It includes all non-evident and undetectable disabilities — such as those that are invisible and/or inaudible
‘Hidden’ is a short word that is easy to read and understand
‘Hidden’ makes an important critical statement about how society perceives and treats members of the hidden disability community.

We recently learned of this movement, and their e-petition, which is accepting signatures only until Friday, February 4^th.

Click Here For More Information

February is Black History Month

Every February, people in Canada are invited to participate in Black History Month festivities and events that honour the legacy of Black Canadians and their communities. People in Canada celebrate the many achievements and contributions of Black Canadians who, throughout history, have done so much to make Canada the culturally diverse, compassionate, and prosperous nation it is today.

The theme for Black History Month 2022 is February and Forever: Celebrating Black History today and every day.

Click Here to Learn More

Together We're Better Contest

February is Inclusive Education month! Children who learn together in school also learn to live well together as adults and are better able to create and participate in communities where everyone belongs.

Just a reminder, you are invited to participate in "Together We're Better" contest for Inclusive Education month for the chance to win some amazing prizes!

Submit a photo collage, story, or poem (500 words or less) describing:

How your school, classroom, and/or extracurricular program (including online and in-person classes) actively supports inclusion of students with an intellectual or developmental disability
Why your school is better because everyone is learning together

Who Can Participate:

Principals and Vice-Principals
Teachers
Students in Ontario
Both those that are teaching/learning in class or virtually can enter!

What You Can Win:

1^st Place - $1000 gift card from Best Buy
2^nd Place- $500 gift card from Best Buy
3^rd Place- $250 gift card from Best Buy

Deadline:

Friday, February 4th, 2022! Winners will be announced on Friday, February 18th, 2022 and showcased on Community Living Ontario's website!

How To Enter:

Send an email to contest@communitylivingontario.ca with the subject line "Together We're Better".

In your email, please make sure to include your name, grade, teacher's name and email address, and your school's name and address.

Partners For Planning - Transitioning to High School Toolkit for Families

Starting high school is a big step on a young person’s journey to adulthood. It’s an exciting time of personal growth, new discoveries, and opportunity. As a family member of a student with a disability, you have an important role to play in their success. P4P Planning Network has put together some important things that you can do NOW to make this change, in your teen’s life a smooth transition. This toolkit will help you get you started.

Click Here For The Toolkit

Get Crafty

Farmhouse Valentines Heart Shaped Coasters

Supplies

rope from Dollar Tree (or similar). Each bundle makes two coasters.
felt sheets
scissors
hot glue and glue gun
pen or marker
sheet of card stock (should be thicker than regular printer paper)

Fold card stock in half and freehand a half heart shape. Cut out. Trace heart template onto felt and cut out.

Heat up glue gun. Cut one end of the rope at a slight angle.

Hot glue the rope onto the bottom of the felt heart.
Continue gluing a small section at a time. When you start on the second row of rope, make sure to squeeze the rope snugly to the section before it so you don't get any gaps in your coaster. Keep wrapping until felt is covered.

Trim any excess felt and strands of rope.

Have Fun Playing Drawize

Drawize is a fun online drawing game similar to Pictionary! You can draw and guess with friends or other players worldwide, guess the drawing, or quick draw something for practice.

Click Here to Play Drawize

Positive Thoughts

Must See TV

Who Do You Think I Am?

New CBC Gem series Who Do You Think I Am? features Madison "Maddie" Tevlin, who has spent her whole life being judged at first glance because she has Down Syndrome. Maddie chats one-on-one with other extraordinary people who are judged only by their exterior. The show is currently airing on CBC Gem with 10 episodes and includes guests such as Lane Webber, Anniemeke Struyk and Taylor Lindsay-Noel.

Recipe of the Week

Jello Poke Cake

Jello Poke Cake Recipe or Jello Sheet Cake is the perfect dessert to bring to family gatherings, pot lucks, holidays and more. With just a few ingredients, this cake is super easy to make and works with any flavour of Jello or even multiple flavours if you wish!