Plan Calgary

11/11/2025

🕊️ Lest We Forget 🕊️

Today, we pause to remember the courage, sacrifice, and unwavering spirit of those who served and those who continue to serve.
Their bravery has gifted us the freedoms we cherish, and their legacy lives on in our hearts.

At 11:00 a.m., let us join together in a moment of silence — not just to remember, but to reflect on the cost of peace and the value of unity.

🌺 We will remember them. 🌺

11/01/2025

Stop by and see us today at the CP Kids and Families Expo and find out how we can support your family with planning for the future

10/31/2025

Happy Halloween to all our followers and families! 🎃

Speaking of which, did you ever wonder how zombie boats are operated? With skeleton crews, of course. 💀

While we’re on the subject, why did the ghost quit his job? They kept making him work the graveyard shift. 👻

Stay safe tonight friends and happy trick or treating!

From the PLAN Calgary team. 💙

10/20/2025

Our 25th Anniversary was an astounding success!

A note from our Executive Director, Dawn Leonard.

“Thank you so very much to all of those who attended our Planning A Good Life event on Saturday. We were so pleased with the turnout and we hope that you enjoyed the program. I was so thankful that we had Al Etmanski join us and Rebecca is always a delight as well. People loved the housing panel, so thank you to Mike, Donna, Jim, Val and Craig for sharing your journey with others.

The baskets that were generously donated by our families raised over $800.00 which is AMAZING!! Thank you to the parents who made this happen – Shelley, Sheilagh, Linda T, Lynn, Bill, Val, Craig, Donna, Jim, John, Brenda, Leonard and Linda J. Not only did it bring in revenue for us, it helped create a lot of excitement at the event. And these baskets were top notch 😊.

The event had several new community members in attendance and you all made them feel so welcome and supported. One of these community members posted on social media, explaining the event and who presented. But the last part of her post was the best…

“What stood out to me most was the sense of connection among PLAN members – a community of people who genuinely support one another and share a commitment to helping families plan well for the future”.

No matter what we do as a staff team or Board to plan for an event, we cannot create community without all of you. And you all nailed it this weekend! Thank you for being there for us and each other, for sharing, for connecting and letting others know they are not alone. Your family leadership shone this weekend. 😊”

10/20/2025

10/10/2025

10/06/2025

***Our big 25th Anniversary Event is in 12 days! and tickets are still available for this incredible learning afternoon and community building afternoon session!***

Hello Parents and Caregivers, Next Generation Caregivers.

You are warmly invited to join us on October 18th for a special community event focused on planning a good life for people with disabilities. We are honoured to welcome Al Etmanski as our keynote speaker. Al is a respected community organizer, social entrepreneur, author, and co-founder of PLAN and the PLAN Institute. Alongside his wife, he played a pivotal role in creating the Registered Disability Savings Program (RDSP), and he has been recognized with the Order of Canada for his leadership in disability advocacy.

Al’s most recent book, The Power of Disability: 10 Lessons for Surviving, Thriving and Changing the World, celebrates the creativity, love, resilience, and resistance of people with disabilities in shaping good lives. Actor Michael J. Fox endorsed the book, writing:

“This book reminds us of what we have in common: the power to create a good life for ourselves and for others, no matter what the world has in store for us.”
This event is not only an opportunity to learn from Al and our other speakers but also a chance to build connections with other families. Following the sessions, our networking reception will give you time to meet fellow parents, share experiences, and connect with presenters.

We would love for you, your family, and your network to be part of this important conversation and hope that you please share this event with your own networks. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions—we look forward to seeing you there!

Purchase here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/planning-a-good-life-plan-calgarys-25th-anniversary-event

09/30/2025

On this National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 2025, we stand in solidarity with Indigenous communities across Canada as we honor the survivors of residential schools and remember those who did not return home. This day serves as a vital reminder of the ongoing impacts of colonialism. It also reminds us of the importance of acknowledging the truths of our shared history.

At CanFASD, we recognize and celebrate the leadership of Indigenous peoples and Indigenous-led organizations in advancing understanding, prevention, diagnosis, and support around FASD. Their knowledge, resilience, and innovation have been instrumental in shifting narratives away from stigma and deficit-based approaches, and toward culturally grounded, strengths-based practices that benefit everyone.

CanFASD has an Indigenous resource page on our website: https://ow.ly/mePv50X0qaq

09/30/2025

Tickets are still available for this amazing learning event!

Hello Parents and Caregivers,

You are warmly invited to join us on October 18th for a special community event focused on planning a good life for people with disabilities. We are honoured to welcome Al Etmanski as our keynote speaker. Al is a respected community organizer, social entrepreneur, author, and co-founder of PLAN and the PLAN Institute. Alongside his wife, he played a pivotal role in creating the Registered Disability Savings Program (RDSP), and he has been recognized with the Order of Canada for his leadership in disability advocacy.

Al’s most recent book, The Power of Disability: 10 Lessons for Surviving, Thriving and Changing the World, celebrates the creativity, love, resilience, and resistance of people with disabilities in shaping good lives. Actor Michael J. Fox endorsed the book, writing:

“This book reminds us of what we have in common: the power to create a good life for ourselves and for others, no matter what the world has in store for us.”

This event is not only an opportunity to learn from Al and our other speakers but also a chance to build connections with other families. Following the sessions, our networking reception will give you time to meet fellow parents, share experiences, and connect with presenters.

We would love for you, your family, and your network to be part of this important conversation and hope that you please share this event with your own networks. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions—we look forward to seeing you there!

Purchase here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/planning-a-good-life-plan-calgarys-25th-anniversary-event

09/22/2025

TOMORROW NIGHT - Get your virtual seat now and don't miss out. Registration will close once capacity met.

Understanding the sibling experience of person's with disabilities. Part of planning for the future for your loved one includes the consideration of next in-line caregivers, whether this is a sibling, aunt, uncle, cousin or even a family friend.

Please join us for stories, information and conversation with Helen Ries, co-founder of Siblings Canada. She will share her story, the impact of major life transitions and the importance of future planning with siblings in mind. This event welcomes all family care providers in particular siblings and other second-generation caregivers. There will be opportunity for a brief Q & A period with Helen.

Speaker Helen Ries is the Co-founder of Siblings Canada - An initiative of the Azrieli Foundation’s Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence.

When: September 23rd, 2025 @ 630pm
Where: Zoom
Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/SBmBwBknQfq07UmZGJyWQw

09/19/2025

Introducing our keynote speaker, Al Etmanski. Al will be speaking at our upcoming anticipated 25th Anniversary Event - Planning for a Good Life on Saturday October 18th 2025 @ Sirocco Golf Course, 1-530pm.

So who is Al Etmanski?

"Al Etmanski is a community organizer, social entrepreneur, and author. He’s been a parent activist in the disability world since his daughter Liz was born. He led the closure of institutions and segregated schools in British Columbia, and founded Canada’s first Family Support Institute. In 1989 he co-founded Planned Lifetime Advocacy Network (PLAN) with his wife Vickie Cammack. While at PLAN he lobbied into existence the world’s first Disability Savings Plan."

Source: https://aletmanski.com/about/

Al’s most recent book, The Power of Disability: 10 Lessons for Surviving, Thriving and Changing the World, celebrates the creativity, love, resilience, and resistance of people with disabilities in shaping good lives. Actor Michael J. Fox endorsed the book, writing:

“This book reminds us of what we have in common: the power to create a good life for ourselves and for others, no matter what the world has in store for us.”

This event is not only an opportunity to learn from Al and our other speakers but also a chance to build connections with other families. Following the sessions, our networking reception will give you time to meet fellow parents, share experiences, and connect with presenters.

We would love for you, your family, and your network to be part of this important conversation and event!

Purchase tickets here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/planning-a-good-life-plan-calgarys-25th-anniversary-event