Page 20 - The Brandon Sun - 2017 Community Leader Awards

20 • COMMUNITY LEADER AWARD THE BRANDON SUN • THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2017

» SENIORS’ ADVOCATE AWARD

Wenda Anderson makes a point
of visiting the homes of seniors
who are isolated. Anderson,
who serves as Killarney’s
Service for Seniors coordinator,
won the Seniors’ Advocate
Award. (Submitted)

Anderson described as ‘Killarney hero’

BY IAN FROESE are isolated, and plans fun activities for those who can get off the compliments she wrote down.
around. Usually, she’ll host four activities a month, sometimes The nomination letter written about Anderson described her
The job of Killarney’s Service for Seniors coordinator may related to recreation, shopping or concert performances.
as well have been designed for Wenda Anderson. as “our local Killarney hero.”
She is almost considered a phone book, connecting seniors Deservingly so, said Lisa Cuvelier-Shiels, one of a couple
More than five years ago, a job to help Killarney seniors moved who call with people who can do chores for them, like cutting
from its hospital-specific capacity to more broadly assist seniors the grass. And she’s launched an equipment lending service, people who supported Anderson’s nomination.
throughout the community. offering walkers and bathing aids to those in need. “Wenda’s genuine and compassionate personality is displayed

“When this job came up, I applied,” Anderson said, who Yet her day can change in a matter of minutes. every day when working with the aging population. She treats
previously worked in various hospital roles for 15 years. “I “If someone’s having trouble, you’re heading to their house each of them like they were family.”
thought this would be my niche and it was, I’m glad I did it.” to see if you can be of assistance.”
Anderson, who has also been involved with local age friendly » ifroese@brandonsun.com
Anderson has regularly gone above and beyond what her job and handivan committees as well, communicates with » Twitter: @ianfroese
description entails. approximately 75 seniors a month as a result of her role.
“It’s a full-time job but I love it. It’s the job I think I was meant
She spent months helping an elderly lady clean up her home to have because I love working with seniors.”
and transition to a new apartment, even organizing a garage Reached by phone earlier this month, Nancy King, a member
sale for her one weekend. of the Service for Seniors board, described Anderson as a caring
individual who is a tireless seniors’ advocate.
She’s sat with dying seniors during their final hours so they In fact, King had just returned, hours earlier, from her last
would have company and would eschew her own plans if board meeting when she was unexpectedly gifted a bouquet of
someone needs a ride to a doctor’s appointment. flowers from Anderson.
Floored by the gesture, King took it upon herself to come up
It’s this dedication that resulted in Anderson’s nomination for with a kind word (or two) about Anderson — using each letter
a Brandon Sun Community Leader Award in the seniors’ of the alphabet.
advocate category. “She’s gracious, she’s a heavenly hostess, she’s intelligent,
she’s interesting, she’s the jewel of Killarney,” King said, rattling
“I thought at first it was a scam,” she chuckled, in describing
how she first heard of the nomination.

“I was flattered, yes, very shocked. It felt good that somebody
had recognized the work that I do.”

Anderson makes a point of visiting the homes of seniors who

Cancer diagnosis led to advocacy for Orth

BY MICHAELA SOLOMON

It was 1996 when Meryl Orth, a teacher, was undergoing Meryl Orth’s role as an educator combined with a cancer diagno-
cancer treatment. At the same time, the federal government was sis spurred her into becoming an advocate for seniors in Brandon.
organizing a forum to help restructure the entire healthcare (File)
system in Canada.
which serves to make communities inclusive and accessible to session regarding physician-assisted death. She hopes to bring
Orth took her responsibility seriously when she was invited people of all ages, the elderly, disabled, and children alike. this information to the seniors of Brandon soon.
to represent the province of Manitoba as a healthcare user at
the forum to reconstruct Canadian healthcare. “In the past, we’ve added pedestrian countdowns, full “Did you know that credit courses at the Brandon University
handicap services in buses, cultural events, and live music in are free if you’re over the age of 65?” Orth asked. She pointed
She was a part of several forums over the course of two years, our parks, which are well lit and accessible by public transit” out that this is an incredible resource that most people are
each focusing on different facets of healthcare. Orth, as a cancer Orth said. shocked to learn about.
patient and teacher says she didn’t have the knowledge to
properly advise on such a broad range of health-related topics. She mentions a number of meetings and events she organized Disseminating information and resources to those in need is
Before each forum, participants would receive a binder outlining that focus on topics such as how to better serve seniors, how to a passion for Orth. She doesn’t think she steps in to make
the topics to be discussed at the next forum. better represent seniors in the media, civic participation and difference, but to give folks the resources with which to make a
employment for the disabled, income tax information, home difference for themselves.
“Once I had a grasp of what was going to be discussed I went care services, health support services, communications and
out into the community and I interviewed the appropriate information, printing information (which includes the use of “It’s been a steady growing, learning, and sharing experience,”
stakeholders, so that I could represent everybody.” Orth said. larger font) and a seniors summit which had over 300 people Orth said.
in attendance. In the past, Orth has tried to set up an information
Her interviews didn’t end with healthcare users. Orth said she » The Brandon Sun
went on to discuss the topics of the forums with local politicians,
doctors, pharmacists, the elderly, and care home staff.

This is just one of the instances in which Orth used her voice
to advocate for those without one. She has been nominated for
the Community Leader Award in the category of Seniors
Advocate.

Meryl has several stories about her life experiences that led
to her advocating for the 55+ age group. But her role as an
educator is what influenced that desire the most.As a teacher
she spent her time advocating for children, who don’t necessarily
always have their voices and needs heard. Orth used the voice
she had, and represented the needs of her students by writing
to the government.

There are many resources for children to be active in the
community, and to stay healthy, but they have parents who are
responsible for their wellbeing. Seniors, who don’t have an
obligated caregiver, need someone to make sure they’re aware
of their options on all fronts. Orth says, that’s where she comes
in. She had a special way of describing her transition into seniors
advocacy.

“I took the advocacy and inclusivity that I applied to my work
for almost five decades, and I flip flopped it.” Orth said, referring
to how she applies the same principals in advocating for seniors,
as she did advocating for children in her career.

Seniors for Seniors is an advocacy group in Brandon. Orth
said she started going there to improve her computer skills,
which they assisted her with. She quickly became a member
and a part of their advocacy team. Now, she’s the organization’s
chair.

“I contacted the Manitoba Association of Seniors Centres
and became acquainted with what the province of Manitoba’s
visions was, so I could bring it back to Seniors for Seniors.”
Orth said.

She had list after list of specified resources for the elderly.
Everything from assisted living and care home services, to
transportation services, to orthopedic care, even over-the-phone
entertainment for those with mobility issues.

Orth is also sits on the committee of Age Friendly Manitoba,