Carp Ridge Healing House: moving forward in leaps & bounds
by Karen Secord
Our staff have worked tirelessly over the summer to further enhance the comfort and restfulness of Carp Ridge Healing House, both inside and outside. Carol McGuire, with the energetic help of Carla Brown, has transformed the “wedding garden” back to its previous glory and created a lovely outdoor sanctuary on the patio for our guests to enjoy. Sandy Rawson is our Miss Fix-It. She has painted and caulked and hammered to complete the HH’s few remaining finishing touches.
In June, the Healing House had a new well installed. And we are thrilled to announce that in August central air was installed. Carla’s move to her new office in the Clinic was completed the last week in August and the HH staff has set up an efficient admin space where Carla once was. We now have our own computer, printer and storage area. We’re holding monthly meeting’s here and we love it!
Over the past few months, the HH staff have been certified in CPR and First Aid. They have taken the Food Handler’s Certification Course and participated in numerous nutritional cooking classes with Cindy Fleming. Indeed, they have even been on a field trip to area farmers’ markets — in the pouring rain — to learn tips about purchasing organic produce.
Recently they attended a lecture by Kahdija Haffajee ( Winner of the City of Ottawa Civic Appreciation Award, 2009) hosted by the Friends of Hospice Ottawa. She spoke with great passion about the Muslim way of living, with emphasis on attitudes towards illness and death. This month Sandy and Carol will begin a 10-week course on Palliative Care. Katherine Willow (ND & Director of CREWC) is scheduled to join us for lunch one afternoon for an informal seminar on meditation and yoga. Our goal is to make these learning sessions a monthly event.
Thanks to Dave Ferreira we have a bright, appealing and easier to navigate website at www.healinghousecanada.com. New features include staff biographies, an updated registration package, new rates and packages. Check out our Carp Ridge Healing House Guest Specials! The Healing House is for everyone. Come visit us and find out why.
Kim Trott has joined us as a part-time HH Host. She brings with her an enthusiasm that is infectious, years of practical caregiving experience and a genuine interest in holistic health care. Welcome to the team, Kim!
I am Karen Secord. I was hired by Healing House Canada as a project manager, to bring all the bits and pieces together so that the full potential of the HH idea can be realized. I was involved in developing the Healing House concept initially and I’m privileged to be able to assist the team in moving the project forward.
Our goal in the upcoming months is to spread the word about the benefits of the Healing House. We want to do as many tours (one-on-one and group) and outside presentations as possible. We are ready for the world to know more about us! Please help us promote what we know is one of the best ways to nurture yourself or someone you love (Ask us about Gift Certificates!).
