Sechelt resident Jack Collins is being honoured with a Governor General's Award this Monday for his advocacy work for the disabled that includes setting up a non-profit charity for disabled people and their families.
"The whole idea of PLAN [Planned Lifetime Advocacy Network] is that we are supportive of the person and we ignore the professional's approach of trying to 'fix the problem.' We just focus on the good things these people have to offer," said Collins of the non-profit charity he helped establish in 1989.
PLAN sets up support networks for those with disabilities so they have people around them to help them with daily decisions and to watch out for their best interests. This support network becomes even more valuable when the parents of the disabled person become ill or die. Another integral part of PLAN is helping families with estate planning so those with disabilities are left with a solid financial footing when their loved ones pass on.
"We help families set up discretionary trust funds that will not affect a disabled person's benefits," Collins said.
Now 76 years old, Collins first launched PLAN at the age of 60 after realizing his daughter Pamela needed a secure financial plan for her future and the support of people outside her regular circle of friends and the professionals who visited her.
Pamela was diagnosed with brain damage at the age of three after receiving a measles vaccination. She was always determined to live her life "normally" and Collins wanted to support her in all her endeavours, which included working for several companies in the Lower Mainland.
He also feared for her financial security if he were to die.
She became a guinea pig for the PLAN program along with three other parents and their disabled children.
"When we started PLAN we were just parents of disabled children. We had no track record and people weren't sure if they could trust us at first now the program is run across Canada and I probably answer 300 to 400 phone calls a year about estate planning," Collins said. He notes the organization has helped secure about $4 million for disabled people in B.C. since it was established in 1989.
The program helped Pamela to be self-sufficient and able to live and work in Vancouver. She also had the opportunity to marry the man she fell in love with, but shortly after her marriage she tragically died in a hiking accident.
Collins plans to travel to Ottawa this Monday with his other daughter and grandchildren to accept the Meritorious Service Medal from the Governor General.
He says he is retired now but stays in contact with PLAN members and is involved in the organization's activities.
"I'm basically spending most of my time being a grandpa now," he added.
