A Story Of Coming Together… TCC In Edmonton, Alberta

It all began on June 5, 2019, with an email from Shelley Stasiuk, a Recreation Therapist at Edmonton Hope and Wellness Center at Alberta Hospital, which hosts activities for community members experiencing mental health issues.

I had been doing an “on and off” T’ai Chi Chih class with her and this clientele for more than a decade. Prior to that, Margo Carpenter had shared TCC with this clientele. And Garret Henley continues to work in this field, specifically with an addiction population and introduced TCC with them before that.

Shelley asked if I’d consider teaching TCC again. I immediately responded yes and questioned for how long? 4 weeks? 6 weeks? 8 weeks? She simply and emphatically said “forever.” She had seen the tremendous difference TCC had made in the lives of her clientele and she wanted it to be a full-time program.

At the time I was on a long trip through California, Oregon and Alaska, and my husband and I had already made plans to continue traveling for many years. How would I share that it’s impossible for just me to do because I am away a fair bit? I took a breath and listened.

She had to run it by her supervisor, write the proposal and request funding for TCC forever. “Oh, okay, I will wait to hear from back you. I will be back in Edmonton mid-August.” I wondered if it would get off the ground. Meanwhile, I continued my personal TCC, singing, meditation and reiki.

In early October, I received the next email: “I have very good news! After a lot of legwork, I secured funding for our TCC class. I hope you are still interested.” Since I was teaching a community TCC class at that time, I suggested starting in January and told her that I needed to enlist help.

This had been on my mind, the Chi working all around and all the time. Then the most important and significant thing happened. I reached out to Max Wan, my original TCC teacher and we had a long, positive and exciting discussion. I sent out an informative email update to every active TCC teacher in Alberta: Max, Tamara Zujewskyj, Margo Carpenter, Garret Henley, Chery Ann Hoffmeyer, Maureen Purves, Leslie Keith, Lois Broome and Sharon Melvin.

The email was clear on the program, clientele, potential options and need for TCC teachers. I asked each for their thoughts or commitment. The absolute beauty of it all? Everyone responded with personal tidbits, suggestions, and a yes, no or maybe when it came to the final answer. It was wonderful to share, reach out and ask for help. And it was touching and most powerful to receive, to move through and forward in this.

Max stepped forward right away and brought his positive personality. He said that Justin would have been so pleased to see us come together and make it work. I smiled and knew in my heart that this would indeed come to fruition.

Our initial group meeting in January included Max, Sharon and myself. Despite other obligations, we would be the primary teachers. Chery Ann stepped up as a committed teacher and as support. Tamara was supportive and would help if we were in a bind. It’s difficult for Garret who is still working. Leslie might be able to drive a couple hours if absolutely needed. Lois lives far away too, and Maureen had stopped teaching. It was coming together. It puts a smile on my face; everyone was so supportive. Isn’t that who we are as TCC teachers? We are small blessings in people packages.

Max’s wife, Maria, created a spreadsheet with every Wednesday for 2020 on it. The TCC teachers signed up and we were on our way. The five of us (Max, Sharon, Chery Ann, Tamara and I) drove to Alberta Hospital and met with Shelley in late January. We had a great discussion and saw our beautiful room where we would teach TCC. The program began on March 11 with smiles and hugs all around. It was a Chi-full day.

PS: Unfortunately after Max taught the first class, the COVID-19 pandemic appeared and classes have been postponed. I expect it will be a few more months but we will be ready to share TCC with the Edmonton Hope and Wellness Center. Ready or not… we are ready!