Posted by Sudbury Northern Life Report Bill Bradley
Retirement for Rick Grylls, past Local 598 Mine Mill union
president, means one door has closed but others are now
opening.
Grylls presided over the leadership of the union representing
Xstrata workers for eight years. His brother, Tom, in a speech
at his retirement party last Friday at the Caruso Club, said he
was known for his dedication to worker safety as union
president and to his devotion to his family.
"It seems I have not retired. I am very busy (in the
community)," said Grylls.
"A lot of weight is off my shoulders for carrying the
responsibility of a union. The evening tonight is a delight,"
he said at the packed function.
Grylls said he has become more involved in raising awareness
about autism in the community. Autism is a complex biomedical
condition that can effect a number of systems in the body,
according to the Autism Canada Foundation. It impacts normal
brain behaviour and can lead to communication difficulties,
states their website.
Grylls has a volunteer position helping local groups dealing
with autism.
His granddaughter, Celia, 6, has autism.
"I am helping to raise awareness and supporting fundraising for
autism."
On April 2, World Autism Day, Grylls said he gave out 107
bracelets at the provincial legislature to members of
parliament with the help of Nickel Belt MPP France Gelinas.
"All three (political) parties spoke about autism and
awareness. We also have other events here (throughout the year)
so people can come and understand about autism."
Grylls said the services and the people running them that are
available in the city are excellent, but there are problems
with families with getting access to them.
"The waiting list can be three years. My granddaughter had to
wait three years for help. She was diagnosed at the age of
two-and-a-half years. But for children to get one-on-one
training to help with developing their interpersonal skills,
there is a long waiting list."
Because of that long list, the training period tends to be
shortened so other children on the list can get the training,
he said.
Trish Kitching has three children with autism: Liam, 9, Morgan,
7, and Veronica, 11.
She runs a support group for families with children. It has
been operating in Sudbury for five years and involves 90
families.
"We need a lot of support to fund the services and supports
required," said Kitching.
"I have a respite worker at home tonight (with the children).
That is why I can enjoy this evening."
But more is needed, said Kitching.
"We need government support for summer camp programs, March
Break camps, and for nutrition therapy."
Currently there are only 10 spaces in city run programs for
children like hers, she said.
"My children need one-to-one supervision at all times for
programs outside the home."
Heather McFarlane is president of the local chapter of Autism
Ontario. It was established in 1973 and is a provincial wide
organization striving to create acceptance and opportunities
for persons with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). McFarlane has
30 families in her chapter and 100 names on her contact list.
She agreed that more local services are needed for both adults
and children.
"We can always use more awareness in our community. Mr. Grylls
has provided an enormous amount of support. Rick is very happy
to speak about his family and his granddaughter with autism. He
is very enthusiastic and talented and very comfortable with the
media."
Grylls also said the event was also fundraiser for his other
daughter's involvement in her local playground in Coniston.
"Alisa has her two sons with her tonight, Nolan and Harper. A
group of mothers have raised about $25,000 over the past few
years towards a $60,000 improvement in their playground."
The event raised $15,000 for the playground and for the local
Autism Ontario chapter, and was matched by Xstrata Nickel,
noted Grylls Tuesday. The company donation went to United Way
agencies in the community, he said.
For more information on autism, phone the Sudbury and District
Chapter at 222-5000 ext. 2685, visit
www.autismontario.com
or visit
www.autismcoffeechat.blogspot.com
.
