I wrote the following story nearly 20 years ago when we were in the midst of a law reform campaign to establish Representation Agreements as a grass roots alternate to traditional adult guardianship. (see my previous post – Love in … Read More
Author Archives: aletmanski
Representation Agreements – Love in the Architecture
Simone Weil the French mystic, philosopher and social activist wrote, "Intelligence is enlightened by love." So is legislation. After a nearly 25 year journey the British Columbia government recently affirmed the status of Representation Agreements, a grass roots alternative to … Read More
Stephen Huddart’s Beautiful World
"There's always someone trying to make change happen and to make our world even more beautiful," observes Stephen Huddart, the new President and CEO of the McConnell Family Foundation. And that pretty well sums up Stephen's inspiration and delight in … Read More
10 Recommended Summer Reads from Ashoka’s Changemakers
Summertime and the living is easy. But no fish are jumping on the west coast. Instead geese are migrating – already. They appear to be seeking the same hidden sun as the rest us. Never mind, a little rain and … Read More
Mother Time
One of the great pleasures of being nestled within the family arm of the disability movement is enjoying a diverse group of people who have at least one thing in common – love for their family member who has a … Read More
Kirsteen and Cat Main – Making Words Visible
I used to see her hanging around art festivals. Like every young poet with something to say. Waiting. Waiting for a chance to share her poems. …A single tear falls remembering the happy timesSo far and few betweenAnger not … Read More
Diogo Vasconcelos – He Was What He Shared
Conviviality is a word designed for Diogo Vasconceleos – gregarious, intimate, cheerful, gracious. You could settle in to a deep conversation with him the way the earth settled into an orbit around the sun. Simultaneously attracted by his energy and … Read More
Pol Pot’s Khmer Rouge – Cambodian War Crimes Tribunal Resumes
On June 27th (2011) the four most senior officials of the Khmer Rouge regime went on trial in Phnom Penh – more than 30 years after they were driven from power. Finally. This is Case #2. The first trial convicted … Read More
Learning from the Canadian Caregiver Coalition’s Success
There are no coincidences in politics. If an issue is on a platform or a policy agenda, it’s because someone or a whole lot of someones worked long and hard to put it there. – Effecting Policy Change It is … Read More
Preston Manning’s Barometer of Canada
It is worth paying attention to Preston Manning. His impact on Canada over the last twenty-five years is profound. He created a political movement from scratch and founded two political parties (Reform Party and the Reform-Conservative Alliance ) which became … Read More