It's money well spent and well invested

Therapeutic Recreationist Rhiannon Vickers looks on as her client Javan Levesque test drives the new Snoezelen Room at One Kids Place Friday.

Community Living North Bay's Snoezelen Room has found a new at One Kids Place.

Friday the Board and staff at One Kids Place welcomed special guests from Comsatec, Community Living and Snoezelen clients to officially cut the ribbon to open the room.

The Snoezelen Room creates a unique environment, which provides controlled multi-sensory stimulation, designed to deliver individualized sensory experiences using light, colour, sounds and scents. In the Snoezelen Room, supported individuals, together with family members, caregivers and staff are able to enjoy a therapeutic environment that encourages and nurtures sharing, discovery and learning.

OKP Executive Director Judy Sharpe says the room was not in the original blue prints for the centre's new digs but a quick call from friends changed all that.

“We did not plan for a Snoezelen Room here,” Sharpe says explaining that Community Living already had the room and that OKP is not about duplicating resources.

“As we were finishing up construction when I got a welcomed call from Community Living North Bay to say Judy we've thought about this and we really believe the Snoezelen Room would have a great home at the Children's Treatment Centre. Would One Kid's Place be interested in this,” she continues.

“And we said absolutely, we'd love to work with you on this and so the two agencies have been working to transfer the Snoezelen Room, which is very expensive equipment from Community Living. So this is really a donation from our partner agency.”

Community Living Executive Director Jennifer Valenti says moving the room to OKP was the logical choice.

“We are happy to see that the Snoezelen Room will be up and running again and we're just very happy to work with One Kids Place, we share a lot of the same stakeholders and I think it's the start of a really great partnership.”

“And we are looking forward to being able to tell people that the room is open again and they're going to have full access to it.”

Comsatec representatives Paul Waqué Sr. and Paul Waqué Jr. say they believe in the work of One Kids Place and feel fortunate that their contribution to the organization helped build a room that will deliver a vital service for kids and disabled adults.

“Well I think it is important because kids are important and it's the next generation that's coming forward and the next generation is in better condition mentally and physically then we gain so much more,” says Waqué Sr.

“It's money well spent and well invested.”

Referring to her previous work with the Ministry of Long Term Care Nipissing MPP Monique Smith told the guests that she learned a great deal about the benefits a Snoezelen Room has on an ageing population.

“They help a great deal with seniors who are suffering form dementia and need a calming environment,” explains Smith.

“And they certainly do that with agitation and calming and it's a great technique that's with low intervention but great results. And so I was delighted when Community Living decided to partner with One Kids Place.”

Joking Smith ended her remarks by telling folks that her mother suggested the MPP could use a Snoezelen Room herself time and again.

To reserve time in the Snoezelen Room call 476-5437 x 3819.

One Kids Place Children's Treatment Centre serves children and youth in the Districts of Nipissing, Parry Sound and Muskoka who have communication, developmental and/or physical disabilities.