A cancer diagnosis can be terrifying and even for those long in remission, it can remain a constant thought. Two local women recognized a gap in the support available for people living with cancer in Huntsville and Muskoka and have launched an initiative to provide it.
Allie Chisholm-Smith, owner of Ahimsa, and Joanne McLean, co-owner of Soapstones, are hosting an information session for Enliven tonight, November 10, at Ahmisa to bring together potential practitioners and volunteers.
Enliven is partly modeled after Wellspring, a network of support centres in Toronto that serves people living with cancer and their caregivers, but Chisholm-Smith and McLean wanted to ensure that it would meet the needs of this community with its vast geographic range and small population. They held informal focus groups to determine what was most needed here.
“Enliven will build community, reduce social isolation, and normalize the disease,” says McLean. “(A diagnosis) is often a freak out – how do we enable people to have positive and productive conversation in the face of this disease and normalize it so that you don’t feel so alone. And coming from a wellbeing perspective – you can be well and you can have this disease.”
The programs could include everything from lunch-and-learn style talks on navigating your finances or insurance plan while living with cancer, nutrition, alternative therapies, or creating a holistic plan, to longer-term programs like art therapy, group support, grief support and retreats. They hope to launch the first programs at Ahimsa by March or April of 2017. Long-term and depending on demand, they may expand to other locations in Huntsville and other Muskoka, Parry Sound and Haliburton communities.
When you get the diagnosis, it’s incredibly isolating. For the caregiver it’s isolating as well because all of your focus is on your person. And for the healthcare worker, it can be isolating if you’re on your own in your practice. Bridging that is a huge component for us.
Enliven co-founder, Allie Chisholm-Smith
Enliven will largely be funded through crowdfunding donations, partners and grants, with participants paying a nominal fee if they’re able.
“There will be a slush fund for bursaries for those who really aren’t okay financially,” says Chisholm-Smith. “No one will be unable to come for financial reasons. And with our volunteers, we’ll maybe get some that are drivers so if you can’t come because you can’t drive or you are too tired, someone can pick you up.”
Although they have a clear vision for Enliven, Chisolm-Smith and McLean hope to hear from practitioners and potential volunteers tonight what they would like to offer the community. “It’s also a community venture,” says McLean. “We’ll be saying, here’s our vision, what do you want to do with it? How do you want to participate?”
The Enliven information session is at Ahimsa (59 Main Street E) tonight, November 10, from 7-8 p.m. followed by a meet-and-greet from 8-9 p.m. If you’re unable to attend, call 705-787-5459 or email [email protected] for more information.
UPDATE 11/16: Due to a power outage, the information session has been rescheduled for December 5 at 6:30 p.m.
Follow the Enliven Facebook page for updates and watch for the launch of enlivenmuskoka.ca. To support the project, visit their crowdfunding page on generosity.com here.
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