Red Deer Advocate, June 02, 2014

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Los Angeles Kings Going to Stanley Cup final PAGE A3

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Red Deer Advocate MONDAY, JUNE 2, 2014

www.reddeeradvocate.com

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Future of health care at stake BY PAUL COWLEY ADVOCATE STAFF In a B.C. courtroom this fall, nothing less than the future of Canada’s healthcare system will be at stake,

says the B.C. Health Coalition. In a trial set for 18 weeks, a lawsuit launched by B.C. surgeon Dr. Brian Day and several patients will be argued before the judges. Day, who runs the Cambie Sur-

B.C. LAWSUIT gery Clinic in Vancouver launched a constitutional challenge, arguing current health law contravenes his right to directly charge med-

ical services to patients. “If he were successful we would see Canada revert more to a U.S.-style health system where health care is based on wealth, rather than need,” said Rick Turner, co-chair of the B.C. Health

Coalition, which is intervening in the case to defend the country’s public health-care system. “I don’t think anybody wants that at all.”

Please see HEALTH on Page A2

Clara’s journey DODGES STORMS ON WAY TO RED DEER AS PART OF CLARA’S BIG RIDE formances while often battling depression. Her own reluctance to get help for years has now motiIt takes more than a few vated her to ensure that dePrairie storms to stop Clara pression is brought into the Hughes when she’s on a mis- light and those suffering mental illness are not afraid to sion. The inspirational six-time talk about it. One in five Albertans will Olympic medallist dodged storm cells all the way from experience mental health issues at some Airdrie to time in their Red Deer as lives. she ticked Almost all off another of us will know 124 kilomesomeone who tres of Clara’s has struggled. Big Ride, her “This ride two-wheeled is all about campaign to mental health remove the awareness. It’s stigma of menabout breaktal illness. ing down the Looking stigma atevery bit the tached to menOlympian tal illness. It’s still, Hughes about bringing a c t u a l l y communities pulled in to together for the Parkland this converMall parking sation,” said lot to wild — OLYMPIAN CLARA HUGHES Hughes. cheers from “It’s not about 150 supabout sport. porters nearly 20 minutes ahead of schedule It’s not about distance or on Day 79 of her 110-day mar- speed. It’s all about the mental health conversation.” athon. Her sister has struggled Hughes told the crowd she was overwhelmed by the with bipolar disorder and her support shown by honking, father has also struggled his waving, cheering motorists whole life. “Sometimes, you can actuas she made her way to Red ally save a life by just asking Deer. someone how they’re doing. “It was out of this world.” The smiling speedskater And if you know how that and cyclist is the only per- person can get help you can son to have multiple medals really make a difference for in both summer and winter them. “People did that for me Olympics. Remarkably, she managed when I went through depresto pull off Olympic medal per- sion.” BY PAUL COWLEY ADVOCATE STAFF

‘THIS RIDE IS ALL ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS. IT’S ABOUT BRINGING COMMUNITIES TOGETHER FOR THIS CONVERSATION.’

Photos by ASHLI BARRETT/ Advocate staff

Six-time Olympian Clara Hughes speaks with reporters about her fond memories of speedskating in Red Deer after arriving in the city as part of her cross-country ride to raise awareness and get people talking about mental illness. Hughes, who began her ride in Toronto, will finish on Canada Day in Ottawa. Right, Hughes cycles up the Gaetz Avenue hill Saturday evening. Hughes also shared some memories of speedskating at Red Deer’s oval and gave a shout out to local speedskating Olympians Jeremy Wotherspoon and sister Danielle. She recalled how speedskating coaches tired of moaning about ice conditions in the indoor oval in Calgary decided to bring the Olympic team up to Red Deer to train old school, outside. When they arrived in a snowstorm speedskaters had to hit the shovels until a tractor finally showed up.

Please see HUGHES on Page A2

Nursing care cut at Michener Centre ELIMINATED ON SUNDAYS, STATUTORY HOLIDAYS AS OF JUNE 1 BY SUSAN ZIELINSKI ADVOCATE STAFF Severely developmentally disabled Michener Centre residents lost nursing care on Sundays and statutory holidays as of June 1, requiring residents to seek medical care in the community. According to information sent out from Alberta Human Services to families on May 26,

WEATHER A mix of sun and cloud. High 20, low 8.

FORECAST ON A2

on those days staff will have to use “HealthLink, a walk-in clinic or the nearest hospital” to assist residents. The on-call Michener nurse, available during the day on Sunday, has also been eliminated. But registered nurses at Michener will continue to see residents from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday. Lee Kvern, whose sister has lived at Michener for many

INDEX Two sections Alberta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A3 Business. . . . . . . . . . . . . A8-A9 Canada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A6 Classified . . . . . . . . . . .B8-B10 Comics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A10 Entertainment . . . . . . . . . . .A11 Sports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B1-B7

years, said reducing RN care is an underhanded move by the provincial government that could put residents at risk. “She can barely communicate on a day-to-day basis let alone in a health crisis. She’s autistic. She’s prone to behaviours. She can’t sit in emergency for hours or a walk-in clinic. She can’t physically do it,” Kvern said. The province is in the process of closing the old institu-

tional buildings at Michener Centre, forcing about 120 residents to move into community group homes or seniors facilities. Transitions are expected to be completed by the end of the year. So far 28 people have moved out. Five of them have gone into long-term care facilities and the rest into group homes. Twenty residents on the

north site must still be moved and 69 on the south site. Some families continue to fight the closure announced without consultation with them in March 2013. Provincial ministers and premiers previously promised Michener Centre would be there for residents as long as it was their desired option.

Please see MICHENER on Page A2

Rock the Change resonates The importance of suicide awareness was brought to Bower Ponds on Sunday. Story on PAGE A3

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