Victoria Women’s Transition House Turning the Wheel Exhibition
Transition House
June 3-17 2015 at the Arts Centre at Cedar Hill, 3220 Cedar Hill Road.
This innovative show features 30 wellness wheels created by women over 50
exploring healthy choices and change in their lives.
Cafe Gallery at Arts Centre at Cedar Hill
Laurie Yeo is the Older Women’s Counsellor at
Victoria Women's Transition House
She shares her excitement about the Wellness Wheel Project and upcoming exhibition. The year long program hosted three, seven-week groups. Aims include expanding awareness about elder abuse and reducing physical and emotional isolation among older women.
Laurie says: "The Wellness Wheel workshops promoted personal growth, insight and healing. It’s been an inspirational journey." She thanks Opus Art Supplies for their generous support.
Laurie’s favourite quote from a participant: “I’ve never painted before. I didn’t realize I had so much to say.”
Victoria Women's Transition House
She shares her excitement about the Wellness Wheel Project and upcoming exhibition. The year long program hosted three, seven-week groups. Aims include expanding awareness about elder abuse and reducing physical and emotional isolation among older women.
Laurie says: "The Wellness Wheel workshops promoted personal growth, insight and healing. It’s been an inspirational journey." She thanks Opus Art Supplies for their generous support.
Laurie’s favourite quote from a participant: “I’ve never painted before. I didn’t realize I had so much to say.”
Group members were chosen from isolated communities, newcomers to Canada via the Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria, and seniors at the Beacon Community Services, SHOAL Centre in Sidney. The MS Society of Canada, South & Central Vancouver Island Chapter, joined with the Victoria Disability Resource Centre to host a Wellness Wheel workshop.
|
“Love and freedom,” S says, “these are the most important things.” S holds a doctorate degree in sociology. The University of Victoria professor taught many subjects including aging and disabilities. Now she is in a wheelchair with limited hand mobility due to multiple sclerosis. “My head still works and I’m still myself,” she says. “I use painting as a healing approach for my lack of mobility.” At the MS Society, she heard about Wellness Wheel program. “Laurie the facilitator had an interesting approach,” she says, “and was well organized.” Working with the group introduced S to types of abuses she had only read about in books. She found the personal stories very moving. At times, S received assistance with her artwork from helpers. They followed her suggestions about colours and content. |
S works on her Wellness Wheel at the MS Society
|
|
After living in an abusive relationship for many years, D made a change. Eight years ago, she left her husband and began a new life. “I no longer hide myself away,” she says, “but greet the world with a wide open positive energy.” D was a participant in the Wellness Wheel program offered at the Shoal Centre in Sidney. Laurie talked about painting the different layers or parts of myself, recalls D. “But I didn’t want to focus and remember." D decided to paint her favourite things in no particular order, as fragments. Her wheel contains a cornucopia of delights: cats, spiders, the sun and moon, witches, dragons and unicorns. Recently, D's daughter encouraged her mom do another Wellness Wheel: one that incorporated layers of D's “new self”. Her daughter also suggested reading about mexican artist Frida Kahlo. |
|
A emigrated from Pakistan in 2012. While an English student at the Intercultural Association, she joined the wellness wheel group. A was partially paralyzed from a serious road accident at the time. She lacked self-confidence and felt depressed. “By the end of the seven-week workshop,” says A, “I began to feel like myself again.” A is a Muslim woman who dresses traditionally. At 46, she was one of the youngest participants, and wondered how she’d fit in. “I found there was much laughter,” she says, “and a warm cozy atmosphere.” A felt nurtured by the other women in the group, who encouraged her to try various colours, textures and techniques. While working, many women shared their difficult experiences, which helped put her own life in perspective. The inner circle of A’s wheel, representing spirit, has birds flying freely and a symbol representing Mecca. “This community of women helped me realize we are all similar. They inspired me to move forward in my life.” |
|
|
H is a member of the Social Committee at the MS Society and attends monthly meetings. She applauds the excellent programs and facilities at Victoria’s MS Society. For H, being part of the Wellness Wheel women’s group was a positive experience. “When people are working together and sharing,” she says, “you learn so much from their stories.” She believes being honest and touching people on a deep level is fundamental for growth. H finds art therapy “amazing”, and can easily draw her feelings on any given day. H discovered group work through UVic’s counselling department and enjoyed the process. “Within groups I find joy and freedom,” she says, “through sharing and connecting with others,” she says. |
|
Lenore LeMay is Information and Referral Coordinator at the Victoria Resource Disability Centre. She co-facilitated the workshops with Laurie Yeo. Lenore enjoyed spending time with older women and others with disabilities. “I love sitting with women”, she says, “I find them interesting and wise.” Making a wellness wheel allowed Lenore to focus on identity issues. “Women with disabilities often feel invisible in our society,” she says. (Lenore has cerebral palsy.) How do we stay connected to our sensual and sexual selves? Regarding boundaries, how does one reach out but still stay safe? After working at the disability centre for four years, Lenore finds her level of self-acceptance very high. The centre’s mandate for independent living and job equity forges better opportunities for clients. |
|
|
G emigrated from India 25 years ago and works with youth and families. She liked the idea of being with a group of women over 50 focusing on wellness and aging. In India, elders are revered and honoured, comments G, whereas in Canada we celebrate youth. G enjoyed the focus for the group work: What does wellness mean to you? She plans to use a similar approach with her own clients. G found the facilitator to be graceful and gracious. “Laurie encouraging people to speak,” she says, “instead of following a strict agenda.” G was impressed with the quality and abundance of art supplies. She used the materials to honour the twisted ancient apple tree in her back yard. Still bearing copious fruit. Her wish stated on her wheel says: To grow old gracefully like that magical apple tree. |
|
After earning a Masters in Business Administration, S worked as a consultant for organizations implementing pay equity. She is now in a wheel chair without use of her hands due to multiple sclerosis. S appreciates the variety of programs offered by the MS Society, and spending time with a mix of people. S found the wellness wheel group very interesting, even though she needed assistance to create the artwork. Hearing personal stories from the other women was a highlight. “I think it’s good for us to be enlightened and learn new things,” she says. |
|