Press Release
Northwestern Independent Living Services will be introducing Thadeus (Twig) Weiss as its premiere guest invitee during the NILS annual general meeting this Saturday (Oct. 4) at the Best Western Lakeside Inn in Kenora.
Weiss will begin reading from his book at 4:30 p.m., and available to sign copies afterwards.
Weiss is a high-level quadriplegic born in Dryden, who later relocated to Thunder Bay.
He also sits on the board of directors of HAGI, a non-profit organization designed to address the needs and challenges for persons with disabilities in Thunder Bay.
“We would like to invite all community members and the media to share Weiss’ introspection as a person who is not defined by his paralysis, but rather by his will to educate what it is to live beyond its limitations,” said NILS executive director Kristan Miclash.
She is thrilled to have a presenter such as Weiss share his experiences.
“Having the opportunity to have Thadeus speak during our AGM is a progressive step,” Miclash noted.
“We need to do more as an organization dedicated to assisting the necessary skill sets for persons with disabilities,” she added.
Weiss will be on-hand to discuss and promote his autobiographical work, entitled “A Prison Within.”
While positive outcomes are being done to improve the quality of life for persons with disabilities in Ontario, Miclash feels organizations such as NILS and HAGI need to become more proactive.
As well as establish venues such as this one to encourage a greater dialogue between members of the public and consumers themselves.
“We provide essential services to our consumer base,” Miclash said.
“That being said, there is still a lack of visibility by organizations such as NILS and HAGI in our respective communities.
“Inviting Weiss to our AGM is a beginning,” she added.
“Hopefully, more people in the community will become more aware as to who we represent, and the valuable contributions made to our society as a whole.”
Weiss understands that being different from the rest necessitates a higher degree of patience.
“I don’t mind telling people what was the cause of my paralysis,” he said. “Or explaining how I get around, write, and operate everyday things such as electronic devices.
“Attending AGM meetings like this one will attract people that want to make a difference,” Weiss added.
“Issues are not being addressed. They haven’t been for a long time,” he stressed.
“We seem to have lost our collective voice as people with disabilities in Ontario in the past 15, 20 years or so,” Weiss noted.
“I would like to bring that to the attention of people’s minds with the help of people with disabilities.”
