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\ PAGE 14 TERRACE BAY NEWS APRIL 8, 1971 SCHREIBER has, with the hope of returning him fo his own comm- A unity, self-reliant as far as possible and able to ass- FR. RICE GUEST SPEAKER ociate with relations and friends. . 5 The Schreiber-Terrace Bay and District Association The rounded program is based on five points: = for the Mentally Retarded held its regular meeting in physical, social, emotional, educational and the Catholic Parish Centre with Mrs. Margaret Hel- Spiritual. mink presiding. Recently some of the pupils in the hospital school The minutes and financial statement were adopted have been attending schools in the community and as read by Mrs. Rita Allen and Mrs. Marg Gander. students in the community schools attending the Correspondence was read by Mrs. Marg Santerre. hospital Nes iry ; \ The 1971 membership drive will take place in May, A surprising thing to many people is that many re- | beginning on Mother's Day with the Flowers of Hope tarded people actually have been taught how to play, a et SL campaign. The membership is from May Ist to April happily developing muscle co-ordination and balance 30th with both single and family memberships wel- and a most joyous occasion when they become aware coned. of the world around them, their sheer delight and Mrs. Helmink reported that the program, Education ability, in many instances, when given responsibility /71 is being most favorably received and nine groups most gratifying. have used it. Donations received through the pro- Early admission is one of the most important factors gram amount to $1,025.00. in treatment, although not, in Father Rice's opinion, + Mrs. Shirley Brown, Schreiber, reported she is before the age of six . For it is these early years working twice a week with two teenagers and working the emotional pattern is set and nothing can replace out a planned curriculum for them, now asking for parental love or companionable affection. : young people fo assist her. If admission is left until later years aid, in any | Mrs. Gander and Mrs. Rena McAdam in Terrace degree is a long drawn-out process, if it can be Bay are working twice a week with a four year old -accomplished. : : : child and enjoying the experience. Retarded people sutfer so much in frustration - lack § Rolly Sinotte then was asked to introduce the of physical co-ordination, poor speech, making verbal guest speaker, Father John Rice, director of the' communication at times literally impossible and in Mental Retardation Training Section of the Lake- their heartbreaking struggle they have a desperate head Psychiatric Hospital , outlining his eminent craving for affection. 2 : career in psychiatric treatment hospitals inthe In this aspect of the work the community can give United Siofes. invaluable aid by visiting, writing, arranging social Father Rice, using layman language, was followed contacts - all of which assures the retarded person with close attention os he described the work now he is a person and someone cares about him. being for, and with retarded persons, in particular, And, in a difterent area, sympathy and interest, at the Lakehead Psychiatric Hospital, with which he can be given the families in a community caring for has been associated since 1969 as director. ~ | retarded persons. ; He was impressed in first coming by the vast size The treatment of a retarded child should be that of the area which the hospital is attempting to serve, given: fo a normal one, within the confines of his and also by the community motivation and the commit- efforts - not being over-profective nor permissive. ment of most of the staff. More space and more A spiritual program is now being organized in the trained personnel are required, but, Father Rice odd- | Lakehead to teach religion = particular doctrines ed, the surest sign of the dedicated worker is discon- when possible, but particularly offering the universal. tent with existing arrangements and a never-ending Christian faith. When for some reason the patient struggle to improve them. cannot be returned to his own home efforts are now In dealing with adults and children, varying from being made to place him in a Protective Home. A severe retardation to borderline cases one must be surpri sing number of patients can be self-supporting, certain the program and training will be a benefit. or almost, if they have some profeciive care. The concept now in the work is to deal with the The very jobs which cannot be endured by the entire person, to develop every potential the person average worker because of their repititiveness are : continued page 15