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Zelda Remplel
Administrator and Saskatchewan Representative

I grew up on the prairies of Saskatchewan near the Gardner Dam and Douglas park area. I also lived in Cambrose, Alberta. I presently live in Saskatoon. I do not have children of my own and regret not having any children. I started school in a country school house. Most or all of them are closed down except for community events. From high school, I went the Kelsey Technology School in Saskatoon, were I took the Certified Nursing Course, which was a twelve month course. I graduated with Gail Miller. She is the nursing assistant who was sexually abused and murdered in the back alley in Saskatoon in 1969. After that, I have come to realize no one has proper protection, especially those who are most vulnerable, disabled persons.

I thought I was exempt from abuse, but after that incident, I have counted those who have been victimized with whom I had some connection. The count is somewhere in the double digits, not just Gail. This includes two people from my home town after they left to move to Saskatoon. There were also a couple of friends of mine who had relatives frozen on the outskirts of the city. This is getting to be a common knowledge that is repeating itself. I married my husband 40 years ago and, in 1982, I became a victim of rheumatoid arthritis. I was diagnosed with severe arthritis and put on the Canada Pension Plan within the next 12 months. The income is small and it doesn't even pay for rent or just barely.

I went to the Abilities Council in the 1990 for a couple and years and still go to Camp Easter Seal for my education, but I sure wish there was something for couples and families much closer so we could go together. I also went to the Academy of Learning, where I took computer training hoping to get back into the work force. I was helped by the Voice of People with Disabilities, which advised me to not continue or I could be cut of. At this time the government said we were entitled to education, but they did not tell us the consequences. I was disappointed and started to look for something to take its place Fortunately I had that in my favour (DAWN Canada) had started a program called DAWN portfolio Program in Saskatoon and it was very successful. Most of the women who took it found it helpful and got the courage to get part-time work or took some type of education. They found out that life doesn't end when you are disabled. I find education of any type keeps a person in a positive mood.

In 2006 I was hired for a part-time position at a telecommunications company. I hope to go back there. During the last 2-3 years, I have also taken Art course through the USCAD Certificate program. I hope to graduate this August with ten pieces to be shown at that time.

DisAbled Women's Network Canada
Réseau d'action des femmes handicapées du Canada
110 Sainte-Thérèse Street, Suite 505 /110, rue Sainte-Thérèse, bureau 505
Montréal, QC  H2Y 1E6/ Montréal (Québec)   H2Y 1E6
Phone /Téléphone: 514 396-0009   (QC);  Fax /Télécopieur: (514) 396-6585 (QC)
Toll free / Numéro sans frais (Canada): 1-866-396-0074       
Phone the toll free number first to arrange a facsimile transmission (Canada) /  Téléphonez d'abord au numéro sans frais pour organiser une transmission par télécopieur (Canada)
Email  /  Courriel: admin@dawncanada.net