1. JOY PENNICK’S PERSONAL HELPING PHILOSOPHY PROMOTE HEALING THROUGH BEAUTY & JOY A Journey of Discovery

2. Leisure experiences and recreation activities can enhance people’s health, well-being, and overall quality of life, especially people with compromised health conditions, disabilities & other disadvantaged social conditions. Therapeutic Recreation Assistants plan activities for the specific purpose of maintaining, improving, or rehabilitating individual functional ability and independence. Leisure experiences and recreation activities can enhance people’s health, well-being, and overall quality of life, especially people with compromised health conditions, disabilities & other disadvantaged social conditions. Therapeutic Recreation Assistants plan activities for the specific purpose of maintaining, improving, or rehabilitating individual functional ability and independence. CAREER ASPIRATIONS THERAPEUTIC RECREATION I will receive my Human Services Diploma: Therapeutic Recreation Concentration from NSCC in 2015 and plan to complete a BSc at Dalhousie University in Therapeutic Recreation. I am particularly interested in helping individuals with physical or developmental disabilities.

3. HOW DID MY JOURNEY BEGIN? The desire for change had been growing for the last few years and sprouted wings once my daughters entered High School. I had been under-employed as a self-employed Jeweller (an artist & teacher) and felt a growing desire to engage in more meaningful work. While visiting NSCC with my daughters, I learned about the Human Services Therapeutic Recreation Diploma but waited a further 2 years before formally applying. Wonderfully, my daughters Katie & Devon and I began our college experience together, in September 2013! My Life’s Purpose As an artist & jeweller, creative expression is an integral part of my character. I search for beauty in my environment and am inspired but what I see. I also recognize the positive, healing effects of creative expression and would like to incorporate that into my life & work in Therapeutic Recreation. My Life’s Purpose As an artist & jeweller, creative expression is an integral part of my character. I search for beauty in my environment and am inspired but what I see. I also recognize the positive, healing effects of creative expression and would like to incorporate that into my life & work in Therapeutic Recreation.

4. I believe that the Expressive Arts (visual arts, music, theatre & dance) offer significant therapeutic benefits for rehabilitation, socialization & skills development. Through creative expression, individuals are able to express feelings and emotions in non- verbal ways. I believe that the Expressive Arts (visual arts, music, theatre & dance) offer significant therapeutic benefits for rehabilitation, socialization & skills development. Through creative expression, individuals are able to express feelings and emotions in non- verbal ways. PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES, ABILITIES, BELIEFS and EXPERIENCES With a background in the arts (BFA Jewellery Arts) I have been drawn to these creative strategies and have used these skills in both Service Learning opportunities: Team Possibles & Autism Arts. In fact, I may eventually pursue further studies in Art Therapy. With a background in the arts (BFA Jewellery Arts) I have been drawn to these creative strategies and have used these skills in both Service Learning opportunities: Team Possibles & Autism Arts. In fact, I may eventually pursue further studies in Art Therapy.

5. PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES, ABILITIES, BELIEFS & EXPERIENCES I have always been an active volunteer and a natural helper. I believe in the power of Loving Kindness and Compassion (Buddhist principles) and try to extend myself into my community. I had no previous experience in Human Services or Counseling but felt drawn to the helping profession. I have always been an active volunteer and a natural helper. I believe in the power of Loving Kindness and Compassion (Buddhist principles) and try to extend myself into my community. I had no previous experience in Human Services or Counseling but felt drawn to the helping profession. I have a solid background in the arts (fine art, craft, dance & music) and have teaching experience. Always sporty & athletic, appreciating the value of recreation was not difficult. Over the past few years I have developed a more consistent yoga practice and have completed both Chair Yoga for Seniors Instructor and Laughter Yoga Leader certifications. As my mother’s primary support for the past 4 years, I have discovered both challenge and satisfaction in providing elder-care. I have learned to navigate the health system, advocating on her behalf to ensure that she is well taken care of. As a result, I have gained valuable experience that I can call upon as a Recreational Therapist.

6. SERVICE LEARNING WITH TEAM POSSIBLES Team Possibles is an Art Collective designed for young adults with Down syndrome. This unique art program offers a working studio where art students (NSCAD Interns), professional artists, art educators & volunteers (like me) work collaboratively with young adults with Down syndrome. Team Possibles is an Art Collective designed for young adults with Down syndrome. This unique art program offers a working studio where art students (NSCAD Interns), professional artists, art educators & volunteers (like me) work collaboratively with young adults with Down syndrome. In May, 2014, Team Possibles mounted a dramatic black-light puppet presentation of The Three Little Pigs, as the Weird Beard Puppet Troupe. The visual art activities include painting, collage, felting, sculpture, paper- marbling & printmaking. Team members also helped to create the costumes & props for the production In May, 2014, Team Possibles mounted a dramatic black-light puppet presentation of The Three Little Pigs, as the Weird Beard Puppet Troupe. The visual art activities include painting, collage, felting, sculpture, paper- marbling & printmaking. Team members also helped to create the costumes & props for the production

7. RELEVANT SOCIAL ISSUES I believe that all individuals should be given equal opportunities to experience a wide range of activities despite physical, social or intellectual barriers. Each one of us has creative & intellectual potential and can be supported in ways that promotes personal development & enjoyment. I believe that all individuals should be given equal opportunities to experience a wide range of activities despite physical, social or intellectual barriers. Each one of us has creative & intellectual potential and can be supported in ways that promotes personal development & enjoyment. The idea of Inclusion (inviting those with disabilities into the typical population) is generally supported and does ensure that all individuals receive equal attention & experience. Although I do agree with the concept of inclusion, I also see the advantage of providing special & separate opportunities for individuals with disabilities, such as those offered through Autism Nova Scotia & the Down Syndrome Society. A group like Team Possibles offers a sense of identity & empowerment to this community by providing a place of their own design. Perhaps offering both models is the answer.

8. PRACTICAL SKILLS Creative & expressive Strong writing abilities Informed & aware Energetic & diligent Intuitive & sensitive Responsible & ethical NEWLY ACQUIRED SKILLS Basic counseling and interviewing skills Improved computer literacy & facility Understanding basic concepts of Psychology

9. LEARNING STYLE I am an expressive- imaginative-practical learner. I am both imaginative and expressive in my learning style but also fit the profile of the practical learner. I am a problem solver, am decisive and like to be in control. I process information quickly, enjoy research and writing and am hard working. As an Expressive Learner I am enthusiastic and creative. Imaginative Learners are good listeners, are perceptive and reflective.

10. In closing, it must be said that without the support and understanding of my family, this JOURNEY would not be possible !