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A Celebration of Thirty Years of Bliss in Canada.
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BCI Celebrates Thirty Years of Bliss in Canada.
Thirty years, thirty years, thirty years on,
Whoever'd believe it, where has the time gone?
Since first the team met at OCCC
To consider new options for AAC
To meet the needs of those without speech
How could they have known how far it would reach?
Their influence spread quite dramatically
To reach others, like them, internationally.
They discovered an answer too good to miss
A language of symbols created by Bliss
For children unable to utter a word
It gave for the first time, a voice to be heard
Not only children, but adults too
Began to communicate anew
Sharing in the benefits of Bliss
Advocacy at their fingertips.
From OCCC to BCF, and thence to BCI
Bliss has grown so much in strength as the years roll by
Changes of name but not of aim
The night to communicate remains the same.
From Rumsey, Eglinton, to Lawrence a variety of bases
For BCI which means so much more than places
Is the people whose commitment, enthusiasm, zeal,
Who constitute the BCI and make the language real.
United in a common bond to provide communication
A family of friendship, transcending creed or nation,
Friends from different countries, languages and cultures
Working for a common goal to improve the lot of others.
We salute Shirley McNaughton and a litetimes dedication
Without her wisdom and humanity, drive and determination
Bliss users and their families would be so much the poorer
For them and others she has been a worldwide guide and mentor.
Many happy memories of meetings far and wide
Impossible to mention all (however hard I tried!
From Toronto to Newfoundland to test our workshop training
And then those 'kitchen table' groups in Stockholm, and Linkoping
The scene of many workshops Castle Priory at Wallingford,
A memorable meeting in Catania, where the rain just poured!
Cardiff at the castle, and eating with one's fingers
The mem'ry of St. David's Hall and ISAAC there still lingers!
Muskoka and Moon River magical moments to treasure
Milan, Maastricht and Belgium mem'ries beyond measure
Jerusalem, Dublin, Cape Town each had a special flavour
Which will remain in memory for those who went, forever.
And so to Rumsey Road, once more, where first it all began
The achievements and successes of a thirty year long span
An appropriate time to reminisce,
Recalling thirty year of Bliss
And those children and adults bereft of speech,
Given communication within their reach.
So here's my toast to BCI
Charge your glasses, hold them high,
Thank you from one who cannot be there
For a lifetime's of memories I hold so dear
All my good wishes to those friends who attend
May the true spirit of Bliss march on without end!
From Ena Davies, Wales
Past, Present, Future
Back then
Pointing at everything
to be understood.
Nonverbal people were
Bottled up inside.
Along came the
bliss board with symbols.
Now there are
talking computers.
What does the future hold?
The privilege to talk
Is a gift.
The bliss board and computers
Broke the silence.
By Bryan Lamont
Communication
Communication is a two way street. You say something to somebody
And your message gets received.
They send a message back.
That's how communication works.
Communication is a two way street For I use Blissymbols,
My hands or synthesized speech.
That's augmentative communication.
Communication is a two way street So please talk to me.
Watch where I point to
Or read my hands or just listen.
Communication works that way too.
Communication is a two way street
And it can easily break down.
We can do something about it.
Be patient, give it more time. Then we will be communicating again.
Although seventeen years seems
A long time ago
Since I started to communicate,
I have really just begun
For communication is a two way street.
Kari Anne Harrington
1989
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