Tova: Welcome to this week’s installment of Inclusion Revolution here on Eastlink TV. I am your host, Tova Sherman, and I am really pleased this week that we are going to have the opportunity to speak with Krista Harder.
Welcome, Krista.
Krista: Thank you, Tova.
Tova: Now, Krista is here today because she’s going to talk to us a little bit about the importance of a holistic approach to both health and wellness.
But Krista, I understand that you are a coordinator at reachAbility?
Krista: That is right.
Tova: And can you tell me a little bit, first of all, about what you do there formally, and then we will talk a little bit about that holistic approach that I am really interested in hearing about today.
Krista: Sure Tova. I’m the coordinator for two programs at the moment.
The Gateway Program For Youth – which is an employability skills program, so it is for youth between the ages of 15 and 30. Umm… who haven’t had a lot of experience in the workforce, or who are re-entering the workforce after an extended period of time. And it’s giving them those employability skills …life skills … and then they have a supervised work placement where myself, as the coordinator, would visit them at least once or twice a week. Ah … and then they would come back for Friday sessions, ahh … where they would learn more employability skills which they can then use on their placement.
Tova: How long would a program like that run?
Krista: It’s about 5 and a half months. So the first month is, like I said, just gaining those hard skills; the things that they will need in the workplace, and the next four and a half months is on the job training.
Tova: I love that because I really believe if we can take some of our clients to the workplace; but also support them at the workplace which is one of the things I know that the Gateway Program does. It is a little unusual.
Can you just tell me a little bit about that particular element, cause I think there are employment programs out there that … I think really what makes Gateway special to me is the idea of how you follow once you then place them into jobs. And could you maybe talk a little bit about that?
Krista: Sure. So first of all we have an employer meeting. So, we lay out some expectations, uhh … for what the employer will be responsible for, as well as the employee. We really want the employees to feel like they are part of the work-team. So it is the same expectations as any other employee, it is just that they are support so if they have any concerns throughout the week, they are able to contact myself as the Coordinator, and then I stop in; sometimes on a scheduled visit, or an unplanned visit; just to see how they are doing. And if they have any concerns, then we would bring that up immediately because we feel like … ah … immediate intervention is … is the best.
Tova: Right, obviously as things, we all know as things keep going with employers, they might not always bring them up, and employees may not always bring them up, but then it always gets to that point where we can’t go backward, and it is very difficult to fix. So this constant meeting and engaging both the clients and the employer through this Gateway Program is why I thought it was really, really fascinating.
But as you know, I am really here today because I want to talk about something that you’ve been doing that I think is very important, and something that everyone interested in the Inclusion Revolution and supporting persons with disabilities needs to be thinking about. And that is what, I believe for lack of a better term, a more holistic approach to providing services.
For instance, I know that you have a background in natural nutrition, in Reiki as well as outdoor education.
Krista: Sure.
Tova: And before we talk about where that all fits, could you tell me a little bit about your experience in those areas. And why to you this is such an important issue.
Krista: Sure. I studied natural nutrition … ah … about 7 years ago and that had a huge effect on my life personally because I was able to see how diet and nutrition and all of those things can impact on my lifestyle; on how I felt and what I was able to do … uhh … so my abilities increased … uhh … my personal wellness increased, so that was something that I incorporated into my lifestyle. Uhh … my background in Reiki, I have been doing energy work for about 6 years as well …
Tova: That’s Reiki energy work, forgive me.
Krista: Reiki yes. So that’s a form of energy work. So channeling a positive healing energy into another person and it has a huge relaxation component. Umm … and it also focuses on the spiritual element as well. And my background in outdoor education for the past 4 years I have been pursuing outdoor education with youth at risk. Uhh … primarily in Ontario, and there is numerous programs there that … umm … allow youth at risk to be able to challenge themselves and develop some self-reliance and communication … a lot of transferable skills through these programs; ah … so I have been working with youth at risk ….
Tova: Well I use the term “transferable skills” a lot because I do see how what we learn in one way, in one place, can be easily transferred when we really think about it. And I guess my most … what’s interesting to me about what you bring is traditionally agency programming and, you know programming that is supported by all of our levels of government for high risk youth or youth with disabilities specifically, tends to be a very classroom oriented, very sort of come in we are going to meet, we are going to talk, we might role play, we might do this, we might have a speaker; but definitely there is sort of a tradition to disability … ah … supports and and … ah … programming that doesn’t necessarily integrate the things that you’re talking about. And I am presuming that a lot of that has to do with just a lack of awareness of those transferable skills that come from it. But, I mean I hear holistic living, you know, green is the big thing now and all of that …
Krista: … mmm…
Tova: And I do appreciate the importance of individuals taking care of themselves, I am sure I should .. you might want to take me on next, the reality for me is that I, I am really fascinated on how we can influence programming, and how we can show that the, the importance of integrating some of the things you have talked about, outdoor education, and so on, into more of the traditional classroom programming, and why they compliment, and how they compliment each other. Can you maybe address some of that for me?
Krista: Sure. Ah, ah … I think it does come back to what we were talking about at the transferable skills. So take, for example, a canoe trip. And people might think, well, how does that have any impact on employability skills? Well, on a canoe trip there is two people in a canoe, maybe three. And there is elements of teamwork there, communication, cooperation … all of these are transferable skills which employers are looking for. They want to know that at the end of the day their employee is a team player. They want to know that this person is able to communicate well with our people. That they can get their point across. So in the program that I am doing at the moment, Sycle, … umm … it’s a conflict management/conflict resolution program. We’re learning a lot about assertiveness. And it’s great to learn that in the classroom, but what about taking people outside of the classroom and seeing if they can practice those skills. So, being outside … ah … it may be … ah… kayaking, tandem kayak, and learning that you’re going to have to assertively tell the other person in the kayak when to paddle, what side to paddle on, where to turn, what’s going on. You know, so you’re still practicing those skills. Umm … even though it might seem like it’s a completely unrelated activity.
Tova: Right, and I love that … I, I hear what you are saying. Like it’s starting to kind of sink in where that all fits in terms of … ah, ah … do you, yourself, utilize that? For instance, let’s say …. to me outdoors I think of a hike … I don’t know, maybe I’m not very sophisticated about what you can do outdoors (laughing). Clearly I stay in a lot. But that said (laugh), you know outdoor I think of a hike. If you were taking some of your clients … and I believe you were telling me earlier that you actually have done this …
Krista: Sure …
Tova: … But if you taking a group of clients, let’s say, out onto a hike. You know, sure they are going to get some fresh air, and they are all going to maybe have to team up and things like that. And I get that, and I am certainly not diminishing the importance of that. But can you tell me how it might work. For instance, you’ve got a group that’s studying conflict resolution ..
Krista: Umm … hmm…
Tova: And you have maybe 4 of them … umm … in a group … what would you do when you take them out of the building? If you know what I mean? Let’s … not necessarily the kayaking thing, but like a hike.
Krista: Sure …
Tova: How could that be beneficial other than taking a break and, of course, doing some breathing.? But how would it be beneficial in the context of a classroom program?
Krista: Okay. So, take reachAbility for example. We have a full youth program there, and one afternoon I took a group of youth … five youth .. for a hike. And that proved extremely beneficial because they had a component of planning, organizing, they knew expectations, .. umm … that, you know, we would have to manage our time while we were there. And then there was an element of leadership. So it’s also getting people out of their regular environments … uhh … whereas the classroom can sometimes be stifling. Or for people with certain disabilities, like ADHD … umm … they might need another outlet … a physical activity so that they can then absorb some of the information that later is going to be given to them. So sometimes, just stepping out of that environment can be beneficial. So we went for a hike, and a lot of the youth were really challenged because some had physical disabilities, others had mental, emotional, so as we were on the hike, everybody was pushing their own limits and that was really neat to see. So what some people could do physically, other people were struggling, but other people were overcoming their own personal barriers.
Tova: And you were also able to, within the context of what you are doing, figure out how to … different people, at different stages, and how to best, you know, support each one of them and still make it relevant to all the people. ‘Cause one of the things I always find the hardest in programming is how to engage all 5, and as you said, as cross-disability agency, which is what reachAbility is, it can be extremely challenging to engage. So I have a couple more questions for you when we come back.
Krista: Sure.
Tova: But let’s take a quick break here on Eastlink TV. This is Inclusion Revolution. I am your host, Tova Sherman. We have Krista Harder with her and we’ll be right back.
Break …Music…
Tova: Welcome back to Inclusion Revolution. I am Tova and, as I mentioned earlier, Krista Harder is with us. And Krista is here to talk a lot about a holistic approach to … uhh … not only your own personal life as persons with disabilities, or even without disability, but in fact, in the context of programming that is available in our community and why Krista feels it’s so important that agencies in our community that do provide programming for high risk youths, or just persons with disabilities should really look at how they’re integrating holistic … ah … lifestyles and so on.
Now before we broke, we talked about, for instance, a hike you took a group on.
Krista: Sure.
Tova: And I wanted to know, cause I have to tell you one of the things I’ve always faced in doing outdoor, external activities, is a lot of times the clients themselves aren’t necessarily comfortable doing it, and …
Krista: Mmm hmm…
Tova: Because it’s outside that little protective classroom, and now we’re back at where a lot of fears occur. So, can you tell me, for instance, with that group, did you ..
Krista: Mmm hmm…
Tova: Did you find that there was resistance? Or everybody seemed to be really excited to get out of the class? Or how did you deal with whatever … might have come up in terms of challenges?
Krista: Sure, Tova:. Umm … I think it a lot to do with framing too. So when you say the word “hike”, a lot of people might be intimidated at first. So you know, framing it like we are going outside, we’re doing a little outdoor excursion, we’re taking a walk, … you know, once they get there and then they see things .. you know, they might have a little more resistance, but it’s, you know, encouraging, … umm … it’s setting up and allowing people to recognize that, yes, they do have their own personal limits … umm … but we’re going to try and push past their comfort zone. And, so with that particular group, … umm … like I said, …. One, one young lady had a struggle … a physical disability, and balance was an issue, so you know, we walked a little slower. Whereas another lady had, you know, umm … for her, it was more about … ah … being in an uncomfortable situation, outside of, you know, the norm. And so we worked with that too. So for her we said, you know, when you are comfortable, you can come join us at this other point, you know giving her some time, some space; and I found with a lot of the youth, the ones that were most resistant, were the ones that got the most out of the experience. And, at the end of the day a lot of them just said they really appreciated that time and that space. Umm … so they were able to take in the nature and think, and a lot of that … we don’t get that on a daily basis because we are so inundated with the media and electronics and video games, that you never have a chance to just sit and think. And I think that was a really powerful experience for some of the people. It was more just being outside.
Tova: Right … So I got a little bit of the outdoor, and I think what I need you to do; just to keep me on focus, is to tell me what do you mean, or what does it mean to you, when you talk about a holistic approach? And specifically, if you don’t mind, in the context, not so much of an individual, but like, what you would like to see reachAbility, where you work, in your perfect world, what would be a holistic approach to, for instance, your program of providing confidence, or a conflict management to people of all ages who live with disability? Like, what is a holistic approach in that context?
Krista: So that would just be encompassing all aspects of the self. So as individuals we all have needs: physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. And a lot of the time we’re not able to address those. So an agency that understands that and sees that … that can be met in several different ways, and when you talk about spiritual, a lot of people immediately think religion, but as an organization you can provide that spiritual outlet for people, without even realizing it, like providing yoga on a lunch break, or having a meditation after work, or as an employer offering an incentive that you know a person can have a half an hour in the morning to exercise, to clear their minds, to get in touch with themself. You know all of those things … uhh .. an organization can offer. Obviously healthy choices as far as eating, you know, when you have a board meeting offering things other than coffee and tea and sweets …
Tova: Uh oh … (laugh)
Krista: You know, just thinking about all the realms that you really could address.
Tova: Right, I … cause this is really what is fascinating me is how any agency in the community can be this holistic approach, because I do believe in the benefit of the client, and I have actually met some of the clients you work with and seen the results in terms of speaking with them and them just not thinking they ever wanted to leave the building, for more of a lot of social anxiety reasons ….
Krista: Mmm hmm…
Tova: and fears, and then coming back feeling almost proud …
Krista: Right …
Tova: And I … I couldn’t quite figure out, well why they couldn’t just stay in the office and do some journaling and feel proud. But I am really learning more and more, and you have certainly taught me some of this, the importance of this holistic integration, and programming and I am really wanted to hear from you today, and I wanted to share with our listeners and viewers because the most important thing is that we are all keeping our minds open to how to provide our clients with the best possible supports and, although words and classrooms and whiteboards, and you know, books, and journaling are all things that I know that are commonly used, it’s what you’re talking about that is really revolutionary to some extent, compared to what has been done, and that’s of course, why I wanted you on here today. Now, you have talked a little bit about the outdoorsy stuff, …
Krista: Right …
Tova: What about where does things like, you know, I hear a lot about yoga, and acupressure maybe not so much acupuncture, but you know, and … and breathing, you know you hear a lot about the breathing; and as you know, many of clients with … uhh … disability, whether they initially had it or not, have developed a lot of anxiety probably from having to function with the disability in a society that likes to handicap them all the way …
Krista: Sure…
Tova: That said, tell me a little bit of how you could see … again in a more institutional fashion, like uhh … uhh … an agency, like where you work … where you see, for instance, yoga coming in. Does it come in? Or are we asking too much …
Krista: No, I think it definitely has its place as long as, …like as well as breathing exercises; it’s about incorporating all these things into a daily lifestyle so that clients can adopt these practices for themselves and I do breathing exercises in the Sycle program, and I noticed one client after we practiced them, and you know, done them … spent a little time on it, and then the next day she came in and she was having a little bit of anxiety. And, uhh … it was after a break, and I walked in and she had her eyes closed and she was practicing the breathing. And I … I found that really reassuring that she was actually using some of these techniques and she said it did help her, and the same as people that have panic disorder and things like that, if they’re able to moderate their breathing, and that’s something that they can do for themselves. So we are trying to teach techniques that …
Tova: Right …. Now do you at reachAbility approach anything around when you see someone who is clearly unhealthy…
Krista: Mmm hmm…
Tova: Or eating like chips all day … is this something you would approach a client on, or is it something really we have to leave to the clients and only within the structure of course the programming time, can we really involve or have you thought about or talked about the idea of introducing, maybe a nutrition standard at your agency, or is it something you’d like to see agencies do in the future, and how … and , you know … I’m … I’m throwing that out because I just don’t know, but it seems like it would be a great idea. What are your thoughts?
Krista: Well …. It would be a great idea, and it’s all about modeling, right? So if we’re sitting there eating Burger King for lunch, and we had just done a nutrition segment for our clients, you know, it … it …
Tova: Live by example …
Krista: Exactly!
Tova: Exactly what I am hearing …
Krista: Yeah … So, you know, I think that it’s still personal choice, and we can educate and I think that’s what it comes down to is a lot of it, it’s just … it’s habit … And people aren’t aware that what they’re putting into their bodies is having an effect, not only on their physical health, but their mental health, and by encouraging people to adopt a healthier lifestyle, of course, we will see more change.
Tova: Right. And, you know, I know that many of our clients have very low budgets, and a lot of nutrition has gone out the window from, you know. What I’ve read as incomes go down, because it is cheaper to get the big double Mac … necessarily than maybe like a Tabouli salad with, you know, forgive me I’m not the healthy eater so .. so whatever healthy thing you might have ordered versus (laughing) …the Big Mac. Let’s say that. So, what I’d like to do is, is ask you to consider … umm … how you might approach that kind of issue because, the truth be told, there are financial restrictions and is it reasonable … and I am asking you because I know you care deeply about nutrition and have knowledge, and I want you to think about this and answer when we come back. Is it reasonable for people with low incomes to still have expectation of healthy living and nutrition based on some of the challenges that they face? But, first, let’s take a quick break. This is Inclusion Revolution …
Krista: Mmm hmm…
Tova: Here on Eastlink Television. We have Krista Harder joining us today. And we are talking about a holistic lifestyle. We will be right back.
Break …Music…
Tova: Welcome back to Inclusion Revolution. I am your host, Tova Sherman. And we’re talking about holistic lifestyle, and integrating it, not just into your own personal life, but how agencies in the community who do have programming to support persons with disabilities … ah … should also maybe look at integrating them. And Krista is here from reachAbility to tell us how they’ve been doing to. Now, Krista, when we broke, I brought up what I think is a really important point, only because I hear it all the time. ..
Krista: Umm … hmm…
Tova: And that is low income people can’t afford nutritional eating. And that often times it’s … it’s off to the fast food two-for-one deals instead of perhaps going and buying all of these healthy items which are often more expensive, or perceived to be. Could you please share with me, umm … whether or not you agree that that’s a problem, or … or how do you address that, or suggest your clients address that?
Krista: Sure … Well we do have a nutrition component in the Sycle program, and we talked a little bit about that, and I’m actually in the midst of creating a little booklet … an economical approach to natural nutrition which includes some recipes and things like that, so that people can make on a budget. But it … it’s, you know, it’s about using the resources in the community too. Like we have Farmer’s Markets, extremely cheap produce there. Umm … buying local, in season veggies; uhh … using what you have, buying in bulk. You know, it is a lot more labour intensive, and you … there’s that time commitment, but if you are on a fixed income and you do have the time, it’s … it’s definitely feasible…
Tova: In other words, it’s more time challenging your mind ….
Krista: Exactly.
Tova: … than it is a money challenge….
Krista: Exactly.
Tova: And also I guess an information challenge like that booklet you are creating which would, by the way, be a fantastic booklet for any of our listeners to get their hands on.
So we’ll have to ask you to get that done and get it up on the Inclusion Revolution website.
Krista: Sure …
Tova: But that said, umm … you really identify that it’s really not a money issue if you:
a. Know where to go and are willing to do a little bit of the running around..
Krista: Sure … yeah. It’s definitely a …a …a viable option for anybody in this community.
Tova: Well I appreciate that. Now, let me … let me go to the staff.
Krista: Okay.
Tova: Because you commented earlier that there’s a role modeling issue. We can’t all go into the back room a … as teachers and, you know, facilitators of courses and classes that we’re trying to teach. You know, have our Mac and run back in. But of course, we have every right to. But what has your been approach been with the agency staff … because we have talked about clients. But how is the staff responding to you? Is everybody just sort of eating in the other room when you come in or hiding their food?
Krista: Oh, I think sometimes yes. They have that perception that I’m going to, you know, ream them out for eating whatever they’re eating, but I … I recognize it’s a personal choice and it’s where you’re at in your life. So, if you want to eat what you want to eat … that’s your body and that’s your choice. But I’ve noticed several staff members have approached me about what they can do personally because they want to improve their eating habits. So, it’s just about being open, and being available and letting them know that I am there if they seek information.
Tova: mmm…
Krista: But not pushing it on anybody …
Tova: mmm…
Krista: Cause no one …
Tova: Because I actually think there is a certain agency responsibility. I happen to agree with you that we are role models to our clients when they come in, and as you’ve identified, some programs run like 6 months, and so on, and it would seem to me that it would be really important part of that holistic approach to living well, to be able to provide that information, and for the coordinator to have some kind of feeling for it … you know what I mean? So I am really impressed that some staff have approached you. Have you approached your agency and said, I’d like to be a resource, not just for my clients, but for my staff – and how did the agency, rather than the individuals, take to that?
Krista: Well, the agency was incredible because I … I approached them saying that these are what … this is what I can offer. And they definitively supported that. They encouraged it. Like, for example, the Reiki energy work, and as a relaxation method, ah … the Director seemed very supportive of that; and encouraged me to pursue that because at the end of the day we … it is stressful work at times, and it’s great to have somebody on staff who can offer that for other team members …
Tova: And I really know how important that is because … doing the work that you do, and so many coordinators and people committed to the disability community do, through agencies in this community, whether non-profit or charitable, is … is stressful work and I think it’s fantastic that you’ve brought to an agency, not only a belief in the importance of the youth getting the access, and the clients getting the access, but the staff getting the access and really changing things systemically within an agency, and I want to congratulate you for that because I think that’s a pretty big accomplish. And I want to encourage everyone to check into the Reachability.org website. And if you are interested in finding out more, you can reach Krista at Krista@Reachability.org .
Krista: Yeah.
Tova: That’s K-r-i-s-t-a.
Krista: Mmm hmm…
Tova: I’m doing well so far … and that might be if you’re interested in just following up on nutrition questions, but it’s now time to go to our weekly poll, as well as our weekly piece of news.
So let’s take a fast look at that, and remember the news and the poll are on the Inclusion Revolution.com website.
First of all, our news this week comes from Prevention Magazine, who says that a 2009 study performed by the American College of Sports Medicine found that exercise … you’ll love this … can help prevent and treat cancer. The study actually found that moderate exercise, like a brisk walk for three hours a week … I didn’t know that was moderate, okay … reduced breast cancer and colon cancer deaths by 50%. For more information on that article from Prevention Magazine, do go to the Inclusion Revolution.com website and read the rest.
Now our poll this week … that we’re really hoping you’re going to come online and … and vote on is, In the light of the study that exercise can help prevent and treat cancer, are you ready to commit to doing more exercise? Let us know. This isn’t a New Year’s resolution, we just want to know.
Now this is Tova Sherman, your host for Inclusion Revolution, wrapping up for another week.
Thank you, Krista Harder, for joining us this week. It was very enlightening and I think you have a lot to offer our community.
Krista: Thank you, Tova
Tova: And for me, and the crew over at Inclusion Revolution, have a great week. We’ll see you next week.