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Help empower the disabled

Help empower the disabled Reading about the possible closure of the Yukon Council for Disability has left me wondering where clients are supposed to receive the support they need to find work. It would be great if employers could just give people with di

Reading about the possible closure of the Yukon Council for Disability has left me wondering where clients are supposed to receive the support they need to find work.

It would be great if employers could just give people with disabilities a chance to prove their abilities, rather than be solely reliant on experience or a resume, because sometimes, you never know what could happen.

I believe that with a clear strategy, targeted goals and an achievable plan, perhaps, things could turn around. I hope someone takes my suggestions and truly does it with a passion, love and compassion for diversity, because I know from experience, what a tough world it is out there.

Without the Yukon Council for Disability, society is basically saying that this organization was not valued or not good enough. I truly believe that with further brainstorming, publicity and the hearts of Yukoners and all others who are aware of this situation, we could prevent this from happening, because people with disabilities are not technically “disabled.” They are every bit as human as you and I, and they deserve the opportunity and chance to show the rest of the world, that anything is possible!

On this note, I just thought you’d like to know that since moving away from Whitehorse, not a day goes by that I don’t think about all of you. I attended Simon Fraser University for seven years, then graduated with my bachelor of fine arts from Emily Carr University in 2010, and most recently, I have been teaching as an artist in resident at an elementary school in Calgary.

If this is not proof of miracles and possibility, then I don’t know what is, so I urge all Yukoners to please do everything you can to give people with disabilities a chance to work, volunteer and help our society become a better place. Please don’t close the Yukon Council for Disability!

In case you should forget, I am always there with you in spirit. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Elaine Lee

Calgary