Meus 1g Perry PE re i ee PERE RAS RPA P RARE RIT PIR ERE Pig ANA RR Me A A A LAR AKRAR ERS rey 08 oF), oe AA PAGE ] THE HERALD, Wednesday, August 11, 1976 Miracle Valley Ranch — a place for change By LAURIE JONES After travelling more than 20 miles over rough gravel roads, slippery and muddy frum a night of rain, the sight of the hand-hewn sign-past, signalling the entrance to Miracle Valley Ranch, was a welcome relief. I'd never been to a juvenile correctional institute before, but this one, set in the midst of 120 acres of wilderness in north- western 6.C., offered an altemate lifestyle for young boys who had spent most of their lives in poslhalls, Emerging from the forest, the road abruptly widened to an open area in,iront of a large house, built chise to the hillside. The ground sloped sharply down to the meandering Kispiox River, glinting through the trees approximately half a mile below. The two-storey house overlooked the valley, and scattered outbuildings and a tractor gave it the appearance of a modem farmyard. It was, however, home to sixteen boys, aged 13 to 17. For, six months, they live, work and play together in an intensive per- sonal growth program designed to encourage positive change. Five years ago, the Salvation © Army donated the ranch, plus two administrator social workers to the department of human resources. A program had already been developed which emphasized outdoor skills, and it is now one of the only juvenile institutes of its type in B.C. Lieutenant Tom Harris, administrator for the ranch, mel me outside, and although cur communication lines had crossed, he was willing to show me the ranch before leaving for the weekend. He said the program is a “ehallenge with a difference.” The demand made on physica! endurance, as well as the need to co-cperate with other people is the institute’s basic scheme. Survival skills are taught not only because they are of crucial importance to those working in the bush, but also because they discipline both the body and the mind. Climbing a mountain, or manoeuvring a precarious path on snowshoes requires an alertness and capability that ean come only from the -in- dividual. “We are teaching lving skills here, not a trade,” Harris told me. Those skills partially determine the extent to which a youth can cope with himself and others in a responaibile manner. The rest has to come from within, he said. Thefirst phase of the program is the ‘stop acting oul’ period. According to Harris, when boys first arrive at the ranch, their hostilities have built up to such a degree that they are sullen By Lawrence E. Lamb, M.D. DEAR DR. LAMB — What is your opinion of prescribing estrogen or hormones after a complete hysterectomy, removal of the uterus, ovaries and tubes? Dees it or can it make a woman more prone to have cancer? My daughter age 41 is being given hormones alter this operation. My doctor told me never to take hormones after a similar operation when T was 44, DEAR READER — There is no good conclusive evidence that female hormones cause increased cancer anywhere except perhaps in the uterus, The idea that female hor- mones increase the chances of having cancer of the uterus needs further study. In fact, there is dala that suggests that female -hormones may protect women against other cancers of the body. The real danger in the recent scare headlines about the increased risk of cancer of the uterus from taking female hormones is that eliminating the use af female hormanes may expose women to a much higher risk’ of other cancers, perhaps lung cancer for one. It may become a case of throwing the baby out with the bath water. When the ovaries are removed with the uterus at, any age it induces a surgical menopause if the woman has hot yet gone through the change. In a young woman furnishing female hormones is really replacement therapy of her normal hormones, Ob- viously afler the uterus has been removed any theoretical increased risk of cancer of the uterus no longer applies. To give you more informa. ' tion about the menopause J am sending you The Health Letter number 5-12, Menopause. Others who wish to have this information can forward 50 cents for it with a long, stamped, self-addressed envelope for mailing. Address your letter to me in care of . Dr. Lamb Hormone use after surgery . this newspaper, P.O. Box 1551, Radio City Station, New York, NY 10019. DEAR DR, LAMB — I wonder if you can help me out. T am a diabetic and take 40 un- its of insulin every day. When I go to bed [ sweat a lot and have to change shirts four or five times every night. My dactor said I don't eat the right kind of food. He is mis- taken. E do eat plenty of meat; ail kinds of vegetables, milk, orange juice and cereal. I talked lo my diabetic nurse and she said I should try another dactar: When I get wet from sweating I shake all over. The doctor said it came from the diabetes. I don't believe him. E feel fine otherwise. My druggist said if he were me he would do something about this problem. I just started having the problem two weeks ago and I've had diabetes for three years. DEAR READER — I am in- clined to agree with your nurse. You are describing what sounds like an insulin reaction. These occur when you have tao much insulin and your blood sugar falls too much, Sometimes the type of insulin you are taking in rela- lion to the way your diet is divided for different times of the day Will have something to. do with it. In any case you need to be evaluated for your blood sugar levels during one af these episodes and if your level is tow then your insulin or diet or both will need to be read- justed. If you want to test the possibility that you are having an insulin reaction you can take some orange juice with some sugar when you have a sweating and shaking episode and see if that stops it. If it does it is pretty good proof thal you are getting too much insulin for that time of day. Don't correct your own insulin bul get a doctor to help you, ‘SEWSIAVER ENTERPRISE ASSN. and indulge in temper tantrums and fighting. Rigorous outdoor activities provide an outlet to that violence. Mounlaineering, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and even running the rapids in hand-built kayaks encourage physical release of pent-up energy. ’ By the end of the first month, Harris says the boys have settled down enough to com- pletely concentrate on who they are and what they are doing. A small, but fully equipped woodworking shop offers respite from physical work, although activities are generally centred around the outdoors. Broken into groups of four, each headed by a coun- sellor, the boys attempt short expeditions geared to graup co- operation. The first few excursions are done under the supervision of the counsellors. As boys become more adept at handling themselves in the wilderness, they are able to take on more and more responsibility. Four of the 16 young people aged 13 to 17 learn of ovtdoor recreation at the Miracle Valley Ranch, a correctional institute in the northwest. THE MODERATE HAS A WAY OF MAKING ENEMIES LEFT AND RIGHT. CALL LONG DISTANCE. AND GET SOMETHING FOR NOTHING. When you want to call long distance, but you haven't got - the person's number, you can dial directory assistance to most places in Canada and the U.S. Atno charge. For all areas in B.C. not included in your local directory, call 112-555-1212, For areas outside B.C., call 112 + area code + 555-1212, ' Area codes are listed in the front of your phonebook, = Once you’ ve got the number you want, remember that most station-to-station calls you dial yourself (112) cost less. Now, isn’t that something? RCTS Although the schedule is flexible, Harris said that by the end of the second month, the groups have gained more confidence in themselves. Working in close contact with each other, day in and day out, has eliminated many of the previous hostilities, and the boys have gradually relaxed enuugh to discuss their personal feelings. According to Harris, there is less tension between staff members and the boys, enabling the individual to re- assess his life, and examine the opportunties available to him. Towards the end of their stay, at the ranch, groups are able to take a (rip anywhere in the world, provided they have sufficient funds. The decision and organization of the trip is the responsibility of each group, but they are accompanied by two counsellors. One group made il to Mexico, another decided to go hiking on Van- couver Island, and still another went to Seattle. To must of them, it isa chance in Mazda Motors of Canada Ltd. to relax, and reaffirm their position in the world. Although their attitudes haye changed, many are still anxious over haw they would react in spon- taneious situations, Harris said. The group trip is a chance for individuals to lest their newly developed skills, both social and organizational, he said. By the sixth month, the boys are well on their way to working in the community around the ranch. It’s primarily a farming area, and employment op- portunities are limiled, con- sisting mainiy of rock-picking and haying. Lacal people are helpful in offering the boys work, but the aim at this point isn’t the quality of work, Harris insisted; it is the experience of meeting uther peuple, learning to handle an eight hour a day job. As he led me into the house, Harris told me they didn’t want an institutional almosphere at the ranch, but they also didn't want it too homey, in case boys became emotionally altached to get over 50 mp aplace they would be spending unly six months in. However, the barren walls and curtainless windows of the living-dining room area could only be described as utilitarian. There were no houseplants or pictures to relieve the severity of the rooms, nor carpets to diminish the cold and soften loud noises. “The smell of disinfectant permeated the house in spite of the cigarette smoke coming from the small group of boys lounging on kitchen chairs, This was the only room in the house they were allowed to smoke in, yet the lack of upholstered armchairs and a couch gave it a © sterility reminiscent of hospital wailing rooms. The buys’ sleeping rooms had the same starkness to them, leaving little or no room for any personal impact, Although they could leck their bedroom doors, even that did nol ensure them privacy. When I was there, Harris showed me one of (he rooms, nat buthering to ask the individual FY Compare. ‘ Price.::. Mazda Mizer 1300 cc coupe is now lower-priceclt than the Honda Civic, Datsun B210, Toyota Corolla, VW Rabbit and Chevette. In fact, it's the lowest priced sports coupe sold in Canada. e Mileage. The Mazda Mizer was the first car to highway (38 mpg city) in the "76 EPA tests.* Features, The Mazda Mizer.comes equipped if it was all right to unlock the door to visitors. -Yet, soon afler, a young boy, excited at the possibility of being ‘in the news,' followed us into the counsellors’ office. He - was severly repreimanded for being in an ‘out-of-bounds’ room, off limits to the boys because il was the counsellors’ retreat. A sign hanging in the office states one of the projects aims is ‘To prepare the boys to love in the world.” Discipline is left primarily up ta the slaff, either individually or collectively, however, Harris stresses consistency in handling varlous situations. Most of the boys are “problem kids from problem parents” and come from broken homes where they have never . learned the meaning of stability and securily, Harris said. The ranch avoids juveniles with a history of sex offences, arson, ur a long history of violence. “'Welook at whowe can help,” he said, The main limitation is lack of funding. There are no psychologists ar psychiatrists available, although — staff members are generally com- petent in psychology and the - social services, At the present Lime, the buys spend an average of three to four hours a day in aclassroom. They are taughl basic english and math, but Harris sald he is considering alternalives ta the academic situation. He said it was difficult te carry on any kind of in-depth sludies because of the length of time buys spent at the ranch, and the lack of continuity. But because the Salvation Army still maintains a certain amount of control over the ranch, the boys are forced to - attend chapel services every Sunday. Harris said that to be sincerely concerned for the boys ig to be concerned with thelr souls also. , As I left, the boys were laughing and teasing each other, rough-housing together over the prospect of having thelr picture taken. When they smiled, thelr faces lust much of the tension and wariness seen when in repose. One small buy, separate from the rest, was digging for warms at the side of a wooden shed. He was determined to gu fishing by himself, In spite of the slighi, hut persistent, rain. Perhaps this was his retreat when frustration and, crowding overcame him, fara TOLL @eCTH ") 50 yaRes The Roman Appian Way Is in better condition than some modern roads, yet it is more than 2,000 years old! Terrace Gleaners & Laundry Ltd, 4544 Lakelse Ave, 1 Only SHP Cleaver Brook oil tired boifet.with return pump and iank, fully automatic. Two hundred gailan hot water tank, cement lined and steam heated thermostatic contrals. Circulating pump. 1 Only 45 lb. Supreme dry cleaning machine. 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