There are 5,454 self-identified people living with disabilities in the NWT. The numbers will rise with our aging population and chronic drug and alcohol abuse.
Kirsten Murphy
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (Jan 31/01) - People swooned, says Julie Flumerfelt, when her then five-year-old daughter Bethany threw back her head and shared five minutes of glory with wheelchair athlete Rick Hansen some 13 years ago.
The world stood still, as it often does for the active swimmer, aspiring actress and cook who attended last week's disability conference.
"There was too much talking," Bethany, 18, who has Downs syndrome, said. "But it was good."
Her parents took an understandably more enthusiastic approach.
"I've never been to anything like it," Julie said.
"Everyone just bonded -- parents, council members, people at your table."
More than 200 people from around the Northwest Territories tabled issues around money, services and access to resources. The historic conference was the largest of its kind in the NWT.
Families like the Flumerfelts who want children with disabilities to lead active, healthy lives, look forward to community and government support.
Disabilities advocate Margo Hopkins wants the momentum to continue.
"The more noise we make , the more we'll be heard," Hopkins said.
