conference Contributed by Elly Kardamylakis . On the weekend of Oct. 25-26 the fourth annual Northwest confer- ence on schizophrenia, sponsored by the Nisga'a Valley Health Cen- tre and the B.C. Friends of Schizophrenics, was held in New. . Aiyansh. Delegates from wood, Terrace, Kitimat, Prince Rupert, the Bulkley Valley, Fort Fraser, Fort St. John, Quesnel, Vancouver, and other places in B.C. met for workshops and dis- cussions on this brain disease that schizophrenia than the one in 100, model, first introduced with suc- popularly believed. This statistic is cess last year at the International ‘based on the number of clients Schizophrenia Conference in Van- who received treatment at one couver. Recovering patients, fami- time or another in their lifetime. ly members and friends, as well as He believes that in actual fact four mental health professionals, care- percent, not one percent, of the givers and people with a general world’s population are tortured by interest in schizophrenia were ' this devastating brain disease, but umited in discussions and work- Greenville, New Aiyansh, Ross- most of them never submit to shops on healing, housing, thera- treatment. The lifespan of chronic peutic work and suicide. Contribu- schizophrenia is estimated at about tions to the program by several 20 years. After that time it gener- patients were enlightening and ally subsides as the bio-chemical remarkably well presented, The imbalance seems to correct itself. exchange of feelings, opinions and The New Aiyansh conference experiences between all partici- Terrace Review —— Wednesday, November 13, 1991 23 standing and appreciation of each other. Being stricken with schizophrenia means many losses to a person’s life — loss of self-esteem, liberty, education, employment, motiva- tion, friends. It means losing out on the chance of having meaning- ful relationships, married life, chil- dren, It brings with it rejection by society, loneliness, poverty, many fears, including the fear of deterio- ration, and often utter hopeless- ness. Ten to 20 percent of people suffering from schizophrenia com- mit suicide. Schizophrenia affects whole families, not just one person who has the illness. Parents suffer Many schizophrenics don’t seek help, psychiatrist says Nass Valley hosts annual for the future of a precious child. They lose good relationships with ‘neighbours and friends because of the stigma attached to schizophre- nia. Sometimes marriages break up due to the great mental, physi- ‘cal and financial strain that the care for a schizophrenic loved one puts on a relationship. Bonds .be- tween brothers and sisters are bro- ken forever. Anyone who would like more information on the conference or on the illness of schizophrenia, please contact Mental Health at 638-3325 and ask for Marsha Lloyd. we mn oh ‘destroys the lives of thousands of was fashioned after the partnership pants helped to increase under- the loss of their vision and hopes Toe young people in our province and of millions all over the world. Guest speaker was Vancouver psychiatrist Dr. Philip Long, who. specializes in schizophrenia treat- ment. His success stories of clients, who, with the proper com- bination of neuroleptic drugs were able to continue a university edu- cation or return to meaningful and productive lives, were an encour- agement to the audience. He gen- erally cautions these patients to avoid stressful life situations and any stress-related employment, ‘though. Dr. Long emphasized that schizo- phrenia is a physical, treatable ill- ness and he strives to eradicate all myths and superstitions surround- ing it. An interesting comparison was made by him between schizo- phrenia and Parkinson’s disease. The brain of a person with schizo- phrenia contains an unusual amount of dopamine, one of many neurotransmittors. So does the brain of a person with Parkinson's. The difference is that in the first case there is found a surplus of dopamine, and in the second case there is an insufficient amount of it. If a Parkinson’s patient receives 100 much medication, he or she will show schizophrenic symp- toms such as hallucinations or the hearing of voices, for instance. Dr. Long commended the B.C. Friends of Schizophrenics for their important work in community education on schizophrenia, their financial support of research and their efforts to obtain good, clean ‘and safe housing for people with this illness. Adequate living condi- tions are essential to anyone’s well-being and much more so to ‘persons who are ill and are plagued by depressions. In Dr. Long's opinion, there are far more people afflicted with - Tronworss| GYM & FITNESS CENTRE CARE Starting Nov. 4, 1991 OPENGAM. Phone for reservation — COMING EVENTS — Our Coming Events column Is a public service offered by the Terrace _ Review. Deadiine is Friday at 5 p.m. Coming Events must be mailed In or dropped off at our office, 4535 Greig Avenue, typed or in legible writing. Information concerning the Twin River Estates project is available from the Skeena Senior Citizens’ Housing Society office, comer of Apsley Street and Lakelse Avenue, on the last Thursday of each month fram 2 to 4 p.m., or phone 638-1518 for a taped message or turther information. _ Until November 15 — “Tales for Twos” at the Terrace Public Library will be held Fridays at 10:30 a.m. This is a special half-hour story time for two- year-olds and parents together. There is no charge, but please register in advance — 638-8177. Until November 27 — The Arthritis Society of B.C. is halding a self-man- agement course in Terrace once a week (on Wednesdays) for six weeks at the B.C. Access Cantre, 3250 Eby St. from 7 to 9 p.m. A fee will be charged to cover text books (yours to keep). Limit of 12 people for each course. To register, phone Mary at 635-2577 or Joyce at 635-5024. Until November 29 — The Terrace An Association presents Edward Epp in a show of oil and acrylic paintings of Africa and Eastern Canada at the Terrace Art Gallery. The Art Gallery now has a show coordinator and regu- lar hours! Tuesday to Friday 12 noon to 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. ta 9 p.m. Saturday 12 noon to 3 p.m. and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Come in and see this exciting show, Until December 14 — Interested in improving your English? Join an Advanced English as a Second Language class meeting at the Reading Place (next to the Tillicum Twin Theatres). For more information, call 635-9119. Wednesday, Nov. 13 — Christmas Bazaar featuring 22 home-based busi- nesses and crafts, from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Terrace Curling Club (upstairs). Hosted by Canadian Women in Timber. Thursday, Nov. 14 — B.C. Old Age Pensioners’ Organization, Branch 73, will hold their annual general meeting at 2 p.m. in the Happy Gang Centre on Kalum Street. All members please attend. . Thursday, Nov. 14 -— To anyone witha registered dog who is interested in forming a Terrace Dog Club, there will be a meeting at 7 p.m. at 3712 Pine Street in Thornhill. Please phone Tammy at 798-2226. or 635-3737, or Shannon at 635-6869 for further information. Nov. 14, 15, 16 and 19, 20, 21 — Terrace Little Theatre presents Hooters at-the McColl Playhouse, 3625 Kalum Street, at 8 p.m. Tickets are avail- able at the Bank of Montreal and at Jeans North in the Skeena Mall. Saturday, Nov. 16 — Happy Gang Centre tea and bazaar at the Happy Gang Centre. Come one! Come all! Saturday, Nov. 16 — The Skeena Valley Model Railroad Club will be hold- ing an open house at 5012 Agar Ave. from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is by donation. Sunday, Nov. 17 — Pastor Jake Thiessen and the members of the Alliance Church would like to invite you to attend the film “Hope For Forgiveness” at the Alliance Church. The film is an exciting, heartfelt mes- sage by Billy Graham. Through the film, the audience will get the real answers for living. vo Takes Monday, Nov. 18 — The general meeting of the Mills Memorial Hospital Auxiliary will be held at 8:15 p.m. in the hospital board room. All members are urged to attend. New members are welcome. Tuesday, Nov. 19 — Big Brothers and Big Sisters annual general meeting at 7:30 p.m. at OUR NEW OFFICE!!, 2-4619 Lakelse Avenue (above Wallinda Cratts). We will be electing new board members, so please plan to attend. Everyone is welcome. Tuesday, Nov. 19 — Friends and Families of Schizophrenics Support Group meeting at 7:30 p.m. in the Mills Memoarial Hospital psych conter- - ence roam. Contact Mental Health, 698-3325, for turther information. Tuesday, Nov. 19 — Support group meeting for persons suffering from M.E. (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis), also known as C.F.1.D.S. (Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome), at 7:30 p.m. in the down- stairs meeting room of the Terrace Public Library. For more information, please contact Kathleen Talstra at 635-2718. Wednesday, Nov. 20 — Thornhill Junior Secondary Parent Advisory Council meeting will be held at 7 p.m. in the school library. The topic: Youth and Drugs. Guest speakers featured. Everyone is encouraged to attend. Wednesday, Nov, 20 — Homebased Business regular monthly meeting at 7 p.m. at Gim’s Restaurant. All newcomers welcome. Phone 635-9415 for further information. Thursday, Nov. 21 — The SPCA wishes to establish a branch in Terrace. The first organizational meeting will be held at the Inn of the West in room . number 328 at 7:30 p.m. All interested people are welcome. For more infor- mation call Lonna Fisher at 635-3826 or Rose Higbie at 635-4366. Saturday, Nov. 23 — Terrace Homebased business Fair, Arana banquet room, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Refreshments. Phone 635-9415 for further informa- tion. Tuesday, Nov. 26 — The Thornhill Junior Secondary Parent Advisory Council has been changed. We will meet on Tuesday, Nov. 26 at 7 p.m. in ° the school library. Topic: Youth and Drugs. Two RCMP officers will be quest speakers. All are encouraged to attend. Tuesday, Nov. 26-— The Ksan House Society is holding its annual general meeting at 7:30 p.m. in the Ksan office at 3234 Katum St. Everyone is wel- come to attend. Thursday, Nov. 28 — Creative Parenting, a support and skillbuilding group for parents, meets at 8 p.m. at 4506 Lakelse Ave., Terrace. We want to find a way to live with our children so that we can feel good about ourselves and help them feel good about themselves. When children feel right, they'll behave right. For more information, call Kelly at 638-0717. Saturday, Nov. 30 — Veritas School Christmas Bazaar from 12:30 to 4 p.m. in the school gym, 4836 Straume Ave. You will experience the great- ast bake sale aver, crafts, white elephant, bottle table, children’s games, | and much more. A raffle with super prizes will be heid at 3 p.m. First prize will be a gas barbecue. Twelve prizes in all plus more for the tea. Saturday, Nov. 30 — St. Matthew's Anglican Church annual tea and bazaar from 2 to 4 p.m. at 4506 Lakelse Ave. Everyone welcome. Saturday, Nov. 30 — Terrace Regional Museum Society annual book and bake sale in the Skeena Mall. Donations of baking and preserves would be appreciated. Proceeds go to upgrading the Heritage Park Museum. Monday, Dec. 2— Skeena Valley Golf and Country Club annual general meeting at 8 p.m. at the clubhouse. The purpose of the meeting is to inform the general membership of the 1991 reports and the election of directors for the 1992 season. i: Saturday, Dec. 7 — Knox United Church Christmas tea and bazaar will be held at the church from 2 to 4 p.m. Everyone welcome. : Sunday, Dec. 8 — Shames Mountain Ski Club ski racing program, ages seven to 12 for Nancy Green Ski League, 11 and up for Alpine racing, every Sunday starting Dec. 8 fram 1 to 3 p.m. (10 a.m. to noon optional for technical development). Paid professional/assistant coaching by volun- teers. Register by calling Michael at 638-1698 or Peggy at 638-8370. Tuesday, Dec. 10 — Choices Program annual Christmas party on Dec. 21 at the Terrace Arena banquel room. Doors open at 6 p.m., supper at 6:30 p.m, Tickets are fess expensive if purchased before Nov. 29. Final cut-off date to purchase tickets is Dec. 10. Children under five are free. * August 7, 8 and 9 — A Pairiquin family reunion is being planned in 1992 in Truro, Nova Scotia. Please contact Mrs. Mildred Ens, Coverdale Road. R.R. #1, Salisbury, New Brunswick, EOA 3E0.