Harcourt joins human chain

Photo: Contributed

2013 Human Inclusion chain

Former Premier, Mike Harcourt is a guest of honour today in Kelowna as he joins the Pathways Abilities Society to celebrate Community Living Month.

He will link hands with others in the community to create the now annual human “Inclusion Chain” in front of Kelowna City Hall.

The chain is done to celebrate Inclusion Month in Kelowna, a month officially proclaimed by Mayor Walter Gray at the beginning of October.

Inclusion Month is an initiative lead by Pathways Abilities Society, a local Community Living organization that supports the needs of people with diverse-abilities in our community.

The initiative was first launched last October to coincide with Community Living Month in BC, and was developed to celebrate the diversity of people throughout the community.

Pathways is once again asking everyone in the community to gather in front of City Hall starting at 2 p.m. today (Wednesday Oct. 15) to begin creating a human chain along Water Street.

Members of the community, local personalities, politicians and of course special guest, Former Premier Mike Harcourt, will link the chain along Water Street.

“We’re thrilled the former Premier will be joining us,” says Charisse Daley, Pathways’ Executive Director.

Then, later tonight, Harcourt will be hosting a sit down discussion at the Mary Irwin Theatre about his own struggle with diverse-abilities.

“As many know, Premier Harcourt fell off a deck at his home in 2002 and suffered a severe spinal cord injury. At our evening event, he’ll be discussing his long journey back following his injury and the obstacles he’s faced overcoming a disability. Knowing he’d be in town for that, we took a chance and asked if he’d like to join us for our Inclusion Chain Wednesday in the afternoon as well. We were so excited when he said yes!” adds Daley.

If you’d like to participate in the Inclusion Chain and meet former Premier Mike Harcourt, you’re invited to join the gathering at City Hall by 2pm, Wednesday Oct 15. Pathways is also hopeful Mayor Walter Gray will also be on hand to read the proclamation to those in attendance.

For those interested in attending the evening sit down discussion with the former Premier at the Mary Irwin Theatre. The event will take place from 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. with doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Admission to the evening event is free though seating is limited and admission is first come first served.