Paul Bickford
Northern News Services

Hay River (Oct 04/04) - Lillian Crook is proof that one person can make a difference.

Crook is the driving force behind the Hay River Association for Community Living for Adults with Intellectual and Functional Disabilities.

Lillian Crook wants to help adults with intellectual and functional disabilities live independently in Hay River. - Paul Bickford/NNSL photo

The association's president says she launched it about five months ago, after having trouble finding help in Hay River for a relative.

So the 59-year-old decided she would start an association.

"I just thought I was going to quit whining and complaining and just do it," she says.

Crook says the association is registered as a non-profit organization and has a board of directors.

"But we have no money and no place to operate," she says.

A funding application is being prepared for the Department of Health and Social Services to establish an association office in Hay River. It would have a co-ordinator of programs and an office assistant.

The application should be sent to the department by the end of October.

Crook estimates about $200,000 a year is needed to properly offer services, which she hopes will be available by early in the new year.

Since the organization was formed, she has already received calls from families looking for help.

"There's obviously a great need for it in Hay River," she says.

Independent lives

She explains that adults with intellectual and functional disabilities need help in many areas to allow them to lead independent lives.

That help could be anything from daily life skills, such as buying groceries and cooking, to job coaching and socializing.

"Just to teach them how to live a constructive, healthy life," she says.

Crook explains that many of those adults suffer from Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, while others could have other reasons for their disability, such as head injuries.

They can have normal or high IQs, but don't have the "adaptive behaviour" to deal with life, she explains. "They just can't seem to live independently."

Crook, who works as an administrative assistant with RWED, says it is a very draining situation to have a family member needing such help.

"There's so much they don't understand. They're constantly asking you questions," she says.

She knows of a half-dozen people in Hay River needing help, but there may be more.

For such people to live independently, Crook says it requires a community effort involving everyone from families to landlords to employers.

"The community needs to be able to give these people respect and understanding," she says.