Page 4 EXPRESS February14,2001 opinion EXPRESS PHONE: (250) 354-3910 EDITORIAL 354-1 118 FAX 352-5075 554 WARD STREET, NELSON, B.C. VIL IS9 E-MAIL: exprcss@expressnews.bc.ca OFFICE HOURS: Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Passion and risk Last week, three great Canadians, Justin Trudeau, Dr. Roberta Bondar and Nancy Greene w Raine were in Nelson to launch the fundraising campaign to build a new alpine hut and rebuild the Slocan Chief cabin. The campaign endeavours to raise awareness about the dangers of back-country touring in avalanche territory and to honour those who have lost their lives pushing the envelope. Their talks were about life. Justin Trudeau's brother Michel was lost two years ago when he was caught in an avalanche in The Editor's Mailbag Kokanee Glacier Park. Many of us have lost close friends who were living their adventure. Justin drew Don't ignorethose who help four-footedfriends a connection between the risks involved in back- Dear Editor, being malnourished and pies. All because one dog pet (there's a great selection country adventure and the risk taken by a high As a volunteer for the neglected, they are healthy. owner did not spay their of puppies right now). Put school student reciting a poem in front of his class. Nelson Branch of the They are now under the care pet. an identification tag on your Taking risks is not only about skiing out of bounds. SPCA, I see a steady stream of the SPCA and looking This is a lot of very hun- dog's collar (many dogs It's about living to the fullest extent in all aspects of of "homeless" dogs come for homes to help them over gry mouths to feed. The come in with collars but no our lives. and go. However, nothing their rough start. SPCA depends upon volun- way to identify the owner). prepared me for the sight of The owner admitted that teers for donations of time, And consider making a Roberta Bondar, Canada's first female astronaut, a litter of 11 starving pup- the puppies had been fun money, food, etc. At this donation to the SPCA in the also captivated the audience with stories about pas- pies which were rescued for the first month but it was time they are supporting 22 form of time (dog walkers sion and drive. She spoke about the risks of being in from what can only be now hard to afford food or dogs or puppies and many and foster homes are need- space against very challenging odds. She spoke described as "extremely to find homes for them. more cats and kittens. ed), money to help cover about being prepared and about meeting the unex- unsanitary conditions." It may sound like a Please help the SPCA veterinary costs, or pet feed. pected. These puppies had spent happy ending, but now the out. Spay or neuter your You can get information Nancy Greene Raine, Canadian Olympic athlete- the first three and a half SPCA must provide food, pets - it can be done as on the SPCA by calling months of their life under veterinary care (including early as eight weeks of age. 352-2427. hero, shared her vision of how important it is to put these conditions. spay-neuter and accommo- Consider the SPCA the next Betsy Nasmyth yourself "out there" and to enlist the support of Amazingly, apart from dation) for these 11 pup- time you 're looking for a Nelson friends. All three speakers drew a connection between life-and-death risks and everyday risks. They said that the courage to meet those risks, whatever they On Valentine'sDay, rememberthere's help Dear Editor, ease. You may or may not know what the unexpected. The longer I live and may be, comes from the same place in our spirits. This is a Valentine to the families to do when these behaviours occur. the more I grow, I realize what matters They spoke about how important it is for us to push and friends of persons affected by You may be facing difficult deci- is the ease with which I accept what ourselves beyond our normal, comfortable, day-to- Alzheimers disease and related sions about the person's care and per- life offers. How I face life's chal- day routines. dementias. You are the mother, the haps you don't know where to turn. lenges can be more important than the They were not advocating carelessness. They daughter, the daughter-in-law, the My St. Valentine's message is that challenges themselves. They need not were encouraging the taking of educated and prop- wife. You are the father, the son, the you are not alone and you don't need be obstacles to my peace and growth. erly-prepared risks in life to help one grow and help son-in-law, the brother, the husband. to manage on your own. Many people They often open up new understand- You are a relative, a friend, or a neigh- have these experiences every day. ing and insights I would not otherwise move society forward. bour. Whoever you are, you care and Support services, information, educa- have." They spoke about how important it is to put your- that is what is important. tion and referrals are available. You It is important to realize that the self passionately into your work, your play, and You put your time and energy into may want to read some information in impact of Alzheimer's Disease or a your friends and family. Live life to the fullest. By supporting the person affected by the privacy of your own home, or to related dementia is profound. You are definition, we don't have another chance. dementia. You grieve the changes and talk to someone one-on-one, or join a important as a caregiver. But you are At the launch, held at Mary Hall in Nelson, there the losses. You face the decisions that support group. You decide what you just as important as an individual. You were displays from various organizations advocat- have no perfect solution. You give need. Support services are available in deserve to take care of yourself by get- love, time and as much quality of life your community. These can be friends, ting the support you need. ing avalanche awareness. It is very clear that the as you can to the person affected by neighbours, church, support groups, For more information contact the message is getting through. Perhaps five years ago, dementia. You cry, you laugh, you feel the Alzheimer Society of B.C., the Alzheimer Society of B.C. at 352- the word on the street was, "Hey, great powder in frustration and guilt. Ministry of Health, residential care, 9552 in Nelson or 1-800-667-3742 in the out of bounds!" Today, it's, "I hear there is a And you carry on doing the best respite care or ... there are many Vancouver. high avalanche danger." you can, often putting yourself last. avenues of support that can be Happy Valentine's Day. Assess the risk. Prepare for your adventure. Live You may or may not understand the explored. Linda Hoskin behaviours such as aggression or wan- Lyn Roche, author of Coping with West Kootenay Regional Rep, life with passion. dering that can be a result of the dis- Caring, wrote, "Life sometimes brings Alzheimer Society of B.C. OWNER, PU BUSHER & EDITOR: Nelson Becker PRODUCTION: Julie Swenson ADVERTISING: Sharon Butler Letters to the Editor guidelines: DISTRIBUTION: Eugene Schmunk We encourage our readers to write to us. Letters are a require some research, and should offer new information as ADMINISTRATION: Rose Berge, Kari Magnuson way for you to speak to your community, to give new infor• well as an opinion. 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