Awareness week gives recognition to role of SaskAbilities support workers

By Matthew Liebenberg

mliebenberg@prairiepost.com

SaskAbilities Awareness Week was celebrated in Swift Current from Aug. 21-27 to highlight the organization’s role in the community.

The official proclamation of this awareness week took place during a regular City council meeting, Aug. 22. There was also a flag raising ceremony at Market Square earlier on the same day.

SaskAbilities Awareness Week is proclaimed annually in Swift Current to highlight the activities of the SaskAbilities Swift Current branch to connect people experiencing disabilities with opportunities in the community.

The focus of this year’s awareness week was on the important role played by support workers within SaskAbilities. They work directly with individuals with special needs and support them during their daily activities.

Several support workers were present at the council meeting for the official awareness week proclamation. SaskAbilities Regional Director Kimi Duzan spoke about the important role of support workers during a presentation before the proclamation.

“The heart of our work is truly the people that do offer their hands and hearts to the work of serving people with disabilities and we have a wonderful team here,” she said.

She noted that the work done by support workers are not always visible, as it is done behind the scenes or off to the side.

“SaskAbilities Awareness Week shines the spotlight on our own everyday heroes, the team of support workers who put the organizational values of respect, honesty, and compassion into action as they support children, youth and adults who experience disability and enhancing their lives, their choices and their interest,” she said.

The support workers at the SaskAbilities Swift Current branch include full-time and part-time staff as well as summer students. They take on many roles to support individuals who experience disability to reach their goals and to participate in activities.

“I like to say people gather around interests, not disability, and it’s a very cool thing,” Duzan said. “So for the staff that are in the shadows, often by design, I might add, we’re bringing them forward to celebrate them for awareness week. They are truly the heart and the hands of SaskAbilities.”

Registration is now open for SaskAbilities Swift Current’s upcoming fundraising event. The 3rd annual Superhero Walk Wheel Run takes place from Sept. 16-26. Teams can register to raise funds for SaskAbilities programs and organize an activity of their choice such as walking, running or cycling. For more information or to register, call 306-750-7427, send an e-mail to wwr@saskabilities.ca or go to the Walk Wheel Run website at http://www.walkwheelrun.ca

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