The Eden Champions are a group of very important people who believe in making the Eden Alternative a reality at George Pearson Centre. They lend their advice, support and expertise to the residents at Pearson Centre.
Gary Birch, OC, PhD, P.Eng is the Executive Director of the Neil Squire Society and received the Order of Canada in 2010 for his pioneering work in the development of accessible technology and his commitment to improving the lives of people with disabilities.
Simon Cox is the Executive Director of the British Columbia Association for Individualized Technology and Supports (BCITS) and has more than 30 years of experience in assisting people with disabilities to achieve control over their lives.
Jane Devji is the founder and owner of the renowned Delta View Habilitation Centre and Life Enrichment Centre in Delta, British Columbia. Jane is a pioneer in the gentle care approach and has been a leader in creating care environments that model the vey best in practice.
Aaron Johannes is the Director of Research, Training and Development at the Spectrum Society for Community Living and the Publisher at Spectrum Press. Aaron is a well-known researcher and workshop leader on community inclusion strategies and the development of social networks as safeguards for people with vulnerability. He is a long-time provincial advisor for B.C. People First and has supported several residents of Pearson to move to more individualized services.
Frances Kelly, BA, LLB is a disability rights lawyer with the Community Legal Assistance Society in Vancouver, British Columbia. She has been a leader in advancing the rights of people with disabilities right up to the Supreme Court of Canada.
Walter Lawrence is a peer counselor at the GF Strong Centre in Vancouver and a Board member of the BC Rehab Foundation and BCITS. Walter is a pioneer in independent living as one of the founders of Creekview and a former resident at George Pearson Centre.
Janet Palm is the President of the BC and Yukon Division of the MS Society of Canada. As a former Program Director of the MS Society, Janet was an early supporter of CARMA at George Pearson Centre.
John Simpson has been involved with brain injury support groups for survivors and families since 1982. John has sponsored two conferences on brain injury for survivors, families and professionals; one in 1982 and another in 1984. He started a support group in Chilliwack in 1991 and is the founder of the Fraser Valley Brain Injury Association in 1997.
Jim Watson is the CEO of the Kinsmen Foundation which celebrates more than 50 years of serving people with disabilities through fundraising to develop innovative programs that support rehabilitation and independent living for people with disabilities. Jim was on the Board of the original Man in Motion World Tour Society, and continues to be Board Secretary of the Rick Hansen Foundation. Jim is an active member of Rotary International and served as the National President of Kin Canada from 1980 to 1981. Jim has received a Life Membership in the Kinsmen Association as well as has been honoured with the prestigious Hal Rogers Fellow.
