Tax Tips for People With Disabilities and Their Families 2014

Once again, the Income Tax filing deadline is fast approaching and The Special Needs Planning Group is here to give you tips and answer any questions. For the last 9 years, they have been sharing tax tips and information with people with disabilities and their families. Follow this link TAX TIPS  to their website where they have lots of information to assist in preparing for 2014 Income Tax Returns, they offer a break down of information with regards to deductions and credits that may be available as well as other relevant information.

If you have any questions or inquires please connect with...
Graeme Treeby
The Special Needs Planning Group
70 Ivy Crescent, Stouffville, ON L4A 5A9
graemetreeby@sympatico.ca

Happy Filing!!

The Power Of Vulnerability

I wanted to share a TEDTALK I watched recently.
Brene Brown presented a talk on the power of vulnerability where she expands upon her research about human connection - our ability as humans to empathize, belong and love. In her work she explores vulnerability, courage, shame and authenticity and has done a few talks which are equally as interesting and relevant.
The Power Of Vulnerability 
Listening to Shame 

"you are imperfect and wired for struggle,
 but are worthy of love and belonging"

Circus Berserkus!

In November I had posted about a project a friend of mine was involved with, Lookup Theatre. Talk to Youth Lately (TTYL) mental health social circus program is a group of young people 16-30 who have experienced mental health issues or are close friends and family members of those who have.  TTYL uses a youth engagement approach, so all performances are written by young people, together with TTYL professional staff.

TTYL has built a new show called Circus Berserkus for post-secondary students aimed at addressing mental health stigma and promoting mental health recovery. This performance will focus on recovery based messages of hope, and the idea that mental health and illnesses occur on a continuum, which are all human experiences.  Using theatre and circus skills like juggling, acro-balancing, aerial circus and comedy, they tell their stories and connect with the audience. 

We are able to offer FREE tickets to this event! 

Event dates are:

Friday, March 19  8pm

Saturday, March 20 4pm

Saturday, March 20 8pm

Location:

Al Green Theatre

750 Spadina Avenue

Toronto, Ontario

M5S 2J2

If you are interested, or know of anyone that might be interested, please contact me by email at karenn@fameforfamilies.com or by phone/text 647-403-9305 for tickets.

Ontario Mental Health Bed Registry

The Ministry of Health announced $28 million investment to decrease wait times for inpatient mental health beds. A province wide registry will be developed in order to assist emergency departments and doctors locate available beds.  As well, the Ministry of Health will invest $138 million over the next 3 years to improve community mental health and addiction services.
For more details read this link.
The mental health and addiction communities has advocated for many years to increase community supports. It is wonderful that the message is being heard and funding will be given to these effective services.

Blame

This is a great little short that is part of a larger conversation about Blame.  I found it very enlightening to see how finding something or someone to blame when something happens really affects how we cope with ourselves, our relationships, our community and our ability to empathize and listen.
Brené Brown is the speaker in the video, and you can find many other talks that she's done on YouTube, most notably this amazing commentary on Empathy .

Good Reads

I recently read some interesting articles, and as much as I believe we have adopted these rationales in to our every day work, I think it is still beneficial to share with others.  Regarding individuals experiencing addictions, Johann Hari writes "So the opposite of addiction is not sobriety. It is human connection." in the article The Likely Cause Of Addition Has Been Discovered, and It Is Not What You Think.  The other article is Redefining Mental Illness from The New York Times, which discusses a new diagnostic system. Enjoy!

Recovery or Hope...Which one?

Total credit for this post goes to my amazing colleague Dennis in the FAME Downtown Office. He shared an article with me which questions the discourse around 'recovery'. When we talk about our loved ones recovering are we doing more harm then good? Are we feeding into stigma? Are we being unrealistic and using the wrong word?

An article called "5 Reasons I Wish We Would Stop Talking About 'Recovery' for Serious Mental Illness And the Word I Wish We Would Use Instead" is a great article which provides ample food for thought.

Writer Lisa Long asks,
"What does a person with bipolar disorder or autism need to "recover" from? When people realize they are not their diagnoses, they can start to find things that actually work to help them live successful and productive lives. That is hope, not recovery..."

Happy Monday!