
02/05/2021
Art class/ crafting/ woodworking projects we enjoyed this week !
Do your aging parents, disabled adult, or elderly loved ones depends on you for care? We can help! Let us be part of this care giving journey with you.
Loving Hands Partners In Care Adult Day Care Program provides support and care for seniors and adults with disabilities in Airdrie and surrounding communities.
Operating as usual
Art class/ crafting/ woodworking projects we enjoyed this week !
We wanted to update everyone with the current transition of Loving Hands.
On January 31st, we gave notice of termination of our lease .
We are now officially closed here in Airdrie.
When we crunched the numbers, we simply could not afford to reopen with our current client base, the setbacks from Covid , and no financial support .
We are currently in negotiation of a new location, but sadly, not in Airdrie.
We are now in our fifth year and as hard as we have tried, we simply cannot see any substantial growth here. Our new location will be In North Calgary.
It is our goal to be “officially”, fully operational March 1st. Please stay tuned to the official word in coming days.
Please know for all our Airdrie clients, and those interested , we will transport daily, to and from Calgary with our Bus.
For those not feeling safe yet to attend, we will be incorporating our current virtual classes with our “in person” classes, until we get our lives safely back to normal!
We are so sad to be closing a chapter but super excited for the new changes, a much bigger space, and indoor bathrooms!!!
For those not hanging out with us virtually, Anna and I miss you all and hope we will see you at our new location. Our family has not changed, simply our location.
We have many exciting plans for bigger and better programs and activities!
This has been a tough decision, but we feel a good one.Loving Hands Airdrie will forever be in our hearts , but sometimes change can be even better!
We need to say so many thank you's to so many businesses and people! To the Lutheran Church of the Master, Airdrie, AB , Thank you for believing in us and giving us a safe home base for over 4 years, ! To our special partners Woodside Denture Centre, and Bow River Hearing Thank you for partnering with us for our community events. To the many many many community based businesses both big and small, thank your always answering our call for support!
February Virtual Programs
My Attitude - My Life - My Rules
CDx
E! News
"Words are, in my not-so-humble opinion, our most inexhaustible source of magic."- Albus Dumbledore ✨⚡Thanks to countless donations, Emrie was gifted Braille Harry Potter books, making it a Christmas to remember. 💛(🎥:@katiescookieskc)
As we close the door to 2020, and prepare to open the door to 2021, I can't help but reflect on this past year.
Some amazing highs, and some dismal lows.
Loving Hands temporarily closed our doors at the onset of Covid, but successfully reopened at the onset of phase two relaunch.
I am so proud to say that we were hugely successful remain open until Mid November , when we got a scare that forced us to make the tough decision to close our doors once again, although I am proud to say we were hugely successful ensuring everyone at the centre was safe.
2020 was not our friend!
Loving Hands will be once again going through a new transition to accommodate the many changes because of Covid. Although we do not yet know what that might look like, we do know whatever change we may be forced to make, we remain dedicated and committed to our Loving Hands participants and look so forward to making many more new friends, and adding to our family in 2021!
Our virtual classes continue to keep us connected and interactive with one another and has been a great success to bridge into the next transition of our journey
Thank you for your continued support .
From me, Ana, and our Loving Hands family to yours, Happy 2021!
Thank you to Bocc Home Inspections for thinking of us this season!
Merry Christmas and the best in 2021!
As we wind down our virtual classes today, Ana and I would like to take a minute to wish everyone the happiest of holidays.
This pandemic has been oh so tough on many and are so grateful to continue to be connecting virtual!
We are currently in the process of dropping off the Christmas stockings that OlnaLife so kindly donated to our Loving Hands friends, hang in there! Mother nature was tough!
See you all in January!
Please remember, if anyone needs support, we are here to help! Drop us a line!
Our January virtual classes and registration.
ABC Melbourne
This year an unusual double entry was selected as an Archibald Prize finalist - Ernest Brothers, by artists Digby Webster and Neil Tomkins.
We were lucky enough to have Digby walk us through his process and take us on a visit to see his work at the.
Our virtual classes have been a huge success!
A great session of Art, Sing Along ,ASL , and Clevermind Challenge today!
Drumming, Crafty Crafters, Remarkable Readers and Kahoot Challenge tomorrow!
Still spots Remaining!
Love What Matters
"All he ever wanted was a chance.
And if he was given that chance, they’d never forget him.
They said Jake Pratt of Vestavia Hills would never contribute.
They said he’d never make his high school football team.
They said he’d never graduate from high school.
They said he’d never get his driver’s permit.
They said he’d never graduate from college.
Jake Pratt has proven them all wrong, and now I have the pleasure of announcing some big news!
Jake has landed a job at UPS!!!
He’s not driving a truck, but he is working up to 8 hours a day running packages to our doorsteps.
He’s walking some 15,000 steps a day.
He’s doing it with a smile.
Yes, he's now 'Jake From UPS.'
Oh, and that’s in addition to Jake working maintenance at a golf course from 6-10 a.m. seven days a week.
That big backpack blower?
Piece of cake.
Yes, Jake Pratt is making his lunch the night before each workday.
Placing his clothes out.
Turning in early.
Ready to remind us he will not be forgotten.
All he ever wanted was a chance, and the UPS folks have given him a chance.
Now, this 21-year-old with Down syndrome is showing the world what people with special needs can accomplish with hard work.
This young man is helping to make our Christmas merrier.
My heart is full as my pride in Jake runs deep.
Please congratulate Jake, and if you see him on his route, give him a yell.
All he ever wanted was a chance.
And if he was given that chance, they’d never forget him.
I have to admit, 'Jake From UPS' is going to be tough to forget."
#LoveWhatMatters
Credit: Rick Karle WVTM 13 (https://www.wvtm13.com/)
Photo: Kathy and Jay Pratt
ESPN
This moment from last year will always be incredible 👏
Lucas Lacina, a high school wrestler with cerebral palsy, pinned his opponent for the win!
(via Jill Winger-Lacina/Facebook)
Our fun craft we completed in our virtual class today! So cute! A sneak peek at Next week “s project as well ! ( all supplies provided!}
 For those inquiring about our online programs, we certainly send all equipment and supplies needed for each craft an activity.
I have shown an example on the craft package that we will be sending for our craft tomorrow.
Although some programs are full, we still have room in several ! 
Getting some of our kits ready for distribution tomorrow!
Our virtual classes begin Monday. For those enquiring, some of these sessions require supplies delivered prior to claases.
Deadline to have delivered is Sunday.
All ready to be delivered to client homes and have them pass on to thier “somebody special” 💝
A great effort with some pretty awesome crafts!
Although we are currently closed, staff are busy getting the gift baskets our clients worked so hard to do, ready for their special people for Christmas!
We hope to get them to everyone by end of weekend!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScRc68SWg6nOa2FvCTHEhvo3aY7eZ-CF6HzdD0_RvuG2aIVaA/viewform
Please select the program activities you want to participate in
Our virtual programs are ready to go! Registration now open! We will have a special virtual session with Santa on the 24th!
Baby Talent
1st GOLDEN BUZZER on Britain's Got Talent 2020 | Kids Got Talent
8-year-old girl without legs becomes famous athlete: no matter what, you can always overcome it: https://todaysoon.com/8-year-old-girl-without-legs-becomes-famous-athlete-no-matter-what-you-can-always-overcome-it/
It's amazing.
As you may or may not know, Loving Hands was touched with the Corona Virus last week.
Like many all too familiar stories, it was unknowing brought into the center by a positive individual .
As you would expect, as soon as we received the covid positive news, we immediately shut the center down, followed AHS protocols, were in constant contact with our AHS health inspector, and had every client and and staff tested to ensure the spread was minimized.
I am confident our existing protocols and sanitization protocols were instrumental in our success containing the virus and am so very grateful to say, we had 100% success!
The virus was not spread and all attending the center remained healthy and Covid free!
We realize the importance of connection and inclusion to our demographic but realize the force and quick spread of this virus. Although we are not prepared to reopen at this time, putting our amazing Loving Hands family at risk, I am excited to announce that we will be facilitating most all of our classes virtually until such a time we are able to safely gather .
Please stay tuned to register for our December programs roll out in coming days!!
We've even arranged a special virtual visit with Santa in late December!
Thank you for your continued support and we are looking at some exciting major changes to Loving Hands in the new year!
As we complete our last few days of quarantine, to all our friends touched by this awful virus, we love you and wish you all a speedy recovery.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kX_3y3u5Uo
Please visit http://terry-kelly.com/digital-download-information for High Resolution Digital Download. On November 11, 1999 Terry Kelly was in a drug store i...
Open Future Learning
Chris Nikic, YOU ARE AN IRONMAN!
Congratulations Chris on becoming the first person with Down syndrome to finish an IRONMAN. Chris swam 2.4 miles, biked 112 miles and ran 26.2 miles.
The everyday lives of people with intellectual disabilities are often unecessarily called inspirational. This though, this is inspirational!
Just a friendly reminder: with our Covid numbers increasing, our centre is not accessible to friends and visitors.
Our primary goal is to ensure we are providing a safe space for our clients and staff always.
Our baking project for Thursday: https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/butter-tart-bars/
Butter Tart Bars, a delicious way to get that amazing butter tart taste with a lot less work! The squares bake up just like butter tarts - but in bar form!
A few fun costumes!!
216 Main St SE
Airdrie, AB
T4B 3K3
Monday | 09:00 - 15:00 |
Tuesday | 09:00 - 15:00 |
Thursday | 09:00 - 15:00 |
Friday | 09:00 - 15:00 |
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Wishing these two amazng men a very Happy Birthday! Today is Ron A. Simon's birthday and our George McDade will be cruising on his actual birthday . Both bring so much to our center .
How, and Why, we got started: Written by owner Heather Doyle:
Loving Hands, Partners in Care, is a planned program of activities designed to promote well-being though social and health-related services. Our Adult Day Care Program will enable seniors and persons with disabilities in our community to participate in a social setting that encompasses intellectual and physical well-being in a safe, structured, and supportive environment. Our program will allow our participants the opportunity to increase their quality of life and remain in their homes and community longer. This additionally promotes greater social and physical health, reducing the stressors of isolation.
At Loving hands, there are no contracts to sign, and our programs and services are tailored to fit the individual, not the center! One activity, one day, one week, drop in... we are flexible
As I was endeavoring on this journey, I discovered a large demographic of Special Needs persons , just getting through their day with their support staff. A typical day would have the group meet at the local Tim Horton's for the morning then disperse throughout the city at community pools, libraries or any "free" venue that would allow them to be there. When talking to staff, there was a genuine desire to have the participants engage in a meaningful day or meaningful programs and activities.
It was this revolution, in addition to my own journey that prompted me to open a Center that would facilitate fun, learning, inclusion and build natural relationships in our community
My Personal Story:
My mom had been institutionalized most of my childhood. She was a busy mom of five young children. Her story was a very sad one, involving a very tragic medical error that forever altered the lives of the entire family unit.
From a very young age, we kids learned to be strong independent people, and beating all odds, all five of us turned out to be kind, generous, successful adults.
I recall in in my early adult years, as an employee in Centracare, our community Psychiatric Hospital, the many calls I received from my co-workers throughout my years of employment, to my unit while I was actively "on shift" summoning me visit the "active treatment" ward to sit with my mom while she was breaking down or simply "giving up" on life. Mental illness and disabilities played a huge role in my world!
Sadly, as life sometimes happens, four of us five siblings, left our childhood province of New Brunswick. relocating to Alberta, to peruse various life goals and careers. We relied on our sole sibling back home to care for our aging mother. Although he did the best he could with this limited knowledge and expertise in the medical field, my brother had little control over the multitude of "procedures" and medication cocktails my senior mom received.
As years passed and my own family grew, I was able to fly back east to reconnect with my mother. Sadly, to my dismay, I visited a very frail, emotional, broken senior. My heart broke for her. She had become dependent, compliant, so old, so helpless. After every visit, I would reluctantly return to my life in Alberta.
One winter night I received a call from my brother wanting to discuss the reality of requiring DNR (do not resuscitate) order signed, on moms behalf . This was the recommendation of the medical team, working with my mother. What quality of life did she have? She was alone, depressed and in a somewhat vegetative state. After talking with my brother, I reflected on her life, my life, and I wondered why, throughout my career, I cared for other individuals, similar to her, getting paid, and why did I not consider this for my own mom
Through discussion with my family here in Alberta, I decided to make the commitment to give my mom the best quality of life I was able, for the remainder of her life. On November 26/2015 at 6am, my daughter flew from Alberta to New Brunswick to remove my mom from the nursing home, and return her to Alberta to reside with her family. On Sunday, November 29/2015, my mom stepped ground on Alberta soil, reconnecting the four of her children who had been absent from her life for over 20 years.
Words cannot describe how very frail my mom was. For the first few months, my mom slept, cried, barely walked, was not audible, and wore diapers 24/7. A very sad time for all of us. She had no idea who any of us were, where she was, or who she was for that matter, and no matter how frequently we told her, she never remembered. Her awake time lasted minutes and the cycle began again.
Fast forward to today, one year later, my mom is off the majority of her medications, wouldn't wear a diaper if you paid her (she is now a fashion diva!), requiring only heart mediation and vitamins. This amazing lady runs circles around us and god knows, she has a memory of an elephant! The lady forgets nothing, except where she hides her treats (so she doesn't have to share!). She paints, she cooks, she cleans, she adores her time with the animals at home and at my sister's anchorage. Most importantly she has amazing relationships with all five of her children, her nineteen grandchildren (including step) and thirteen (and counting) great grandchildren. She has an amazing life.
God knows, some days, we try to find out the mischief her and her partner in crime get up to!! ( the lady can keep a secret!!) The transformation, simply with inclusion, caring, validation, interaction and love, has transformed a broken woman into a pretty cool senior. This amazing lady is my motivation to develop a structured, quality, holistic, supervised program for my community members, providing social interaction, quality programs, laughter and caring .
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