ECAD Convention 2011

ECAD Convention 2011 in Dartmouth

By Kathern Lawrence

 

Myles Murphy

45^th biennial ECAD Convention chaired by Betty Mac Donald and her committee was held at Park Place Hotel & Conference Centre Ramada Plaza, 240 Brownlow Avenue in Dartmouth on July 14 – 16, 2011. The first evening, Myles Murphy presented a poignant presentation about his research findings on Deaf persons in Newfoundland placed in palliative care. He recognizes their unique needs because of their Deaf culture; their needs are significantly different from those of those hearing people who are dying.  Dying, Deaf persons must have communication access among family members / close friends through sign language or interpreters, and even Deaf persons of passing family members need interpreters at the time of their grievance. The presence of other Deaf persons and touching the hands bring the dying ones comfort and inner peace.

 

 The Opening Ceremony took place at the bare property at Gottingen Street on which a glorious monument had been set up. In spite of the chilly, windy day, the Deaf and friends from the Atlantic Provinces gathered there, waiting curiously for special moments of the ceremony. We had a great pleasure meeting Neil Van Allen, the son of late Karl Van Allen, the principal of Halifax School for the Deaf, his wife, and daughter. Finally Neil unveiled the monument with the help of his wife and daughter. Then the government people, including Mr. Peter Kelly, the mayor of Halifax, talked about the existence of the history of Deaf Community. At George Dixon Centre on the left side of the property, we had a great pleasure to take a memory lane, viewing posted and album photos displayed in the permanent Halifax Association of the Deaf “museum” after having listened once again to the historic stories presented by Marjorie J. Crawford and Betty Mac Donald. The slideshows featuring old school days were also running throughout the event. We mingled among one another, meeting new and old friends, smiling, and nodding over the retold stories while nibbling lovely, finger-sized nutritious refreshment, including colorful, fresh berries.



Prior to unveiling monument

Neil Van Allen and his wife had the honor to unveil the monument.

 

 

 



M.J. Crawford and Betty Mac Donald
narrating the history of Halifax School
for the Deaf

 

Dingo was one of the favorite games the Deaf played in the   evening for the money prizes. 4 or 5 people won the money (lowest prize to highest prize).

The Family Feud was always an exciting competition between the women and men. The first 3 games in the Family Feud competition had been called Card Sharks and the second 3 games. The Family Feud had been played 6 times since 1993. The women were always the champions! Of course, it was a big disappointment to the men. The young female enthusiasts played the last game wildly, keeping the middle-aged ladies at bay. Perrier’s Concrete Homes had donated the trophy in 1993 to award a team, either winning men or women competing in games. On the trophy, the plate says:

“When our deaf family gathers, days are always filled with tease and laughter, but most importantly lots of love among ourselves. As long as we keep this love for deaf culture alive in our hearts today, will never be lost and never be forgotten tomorrow and forever.”

 

The motto reflects the strong spirit of the Deaf Community, especially in special times we socialize among one another, after we left the schools for the deaf, both in Halifax and Amherst. Our Deaf Culture never fades away.

Ladies from Newfoundland

Margaret LeBlanc, Agnes Comerford,
Bill Comerford

 

The AGM was scheduled to run on the Saturday morning with President Brenda Mulley-Rose in charge, Gilbert Blunden recording the minutes, and Ricky Keating, Treasurer. The meeting, including debates, ran for about 3 hours in the morning.

ECAD Committee: Front row- Steve Cook,
Secretary Gil Blunden, Treasurer Ricky Keating,
M.J. Crawford; Back- President Brenda Mulley-Rose,
Betty Mac Donald, Frank D'Eon
 

The oldest members: Mary Snow, Geraldine Buchanan,
Polly Buchanan joined by ex-president Mike Perrier 

On the following evening, the last one, we gathered at the hall for a lovely banquet with recognition awards subsequently presented to several people we honored for their dedication to the Deaf Community: Betty Mac Donald, Halifax, for her volunteering as a chairwoman; Judy Shea, St. John, NL, for her volunteering for NL Deaf Community; and Mike Perrier for his faithful volunteering for the Deaf Community in the Maritime Provinces. Then Mike Perrier respectfully presented a beautiful bouquet of flowers to Gerry Buchanan to show his appreciation toward her for all her support she had given to her late husband, Malcolm, who was actively engaged as an ECAD board member for a long term. We mingled with people for storytelling in a Pidgin combination of American Sign Language (ASL) and Maritime Sign Language (MSL). The three oldest persons: Mary Snow, Gerry Buchanan, Polly Buchanan had faithfully attended the ECAD Convention for many years.

ECAD Convention is one of our most favorite times we enjoy very much because we gather like a family reunion. We live in scattered places, travelling far enough to a destination for special social functions for the Deaf.
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