Testimonials

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I have received the following Awards:

1995 - James Montgomery Award     (Ontario Association for Community Living)

1996 - Achievement Award         (Ontario Association on Development Disability)

1996 - Dave West Memorial Award -      (Adult Protective Service Association of Ontario)

1997 - Community action award      (Ministry of Citizenship, Culture and Recreation)

1999 - Achievement award       (People First of Windsor)

1999 - Merit Award          (People First of Peterborough)

Testimonials and feedback I have received from people I have worked with:

Service Providers

"As a friend and co-worker in the movement toward building inclusive communities, I commend Richard Ruston for his excellence in leadership and commitment."

 Malcolm Jeffreys, Executive Director, Windsor Community Living.

"....you are truly an inspiration to all of us...it is always a pleasure and a definite learning experience when we meet."

  Heather Topliss, Executive Director, Kirkland Lake & District ACL.

"The workshop was the best that I have attended during my career. Every staff person should have the opportunity to attend. Richard really helped me a lot."

Staff, Kirkland Lake & District ACL.

"You are indeed a gifted speaker and have a vital role to play in the continuing growth of the People First movement."

Lynda M. Geddes, Executive Director, Community Living Timmons.

"Richard, your message was very clear on how important it is to work together and to support each other. The materials you used were great. Our evaluation forms included the following comments: excellent speaker, inspirational, wonderful, very encouraging, best presentation yet."

Bryan H. Shields, Executive Director, Hamilton ACL.

"The Keeping Your Dreams Alive sessions combined with Richard's pizzaz, expertise, and life story not only met what we were looking for in our community but it surpassed our expectations."

Blair Groves, Coordinator, Ingersoll Support Services.

" Your gentle caring leadership helped our local People First members make their dreams and hopes known to those who were at the meeting."

Peter Dill, Executive Director, Ajax- Pickering & Whitby ACL.

"As always, your leadership and experience had a very positive and informative impact on those in attendance...We look forward to working with you again in the future."

Glenn Rampton, Chief Executive Officer, Community Living Algoma.

"Your message was inspiring to the hearers as well as presenting them with a much needed challenge to follow their dreams and to be true to themselves."

Carmen Chevalier, Regional Manager, Christian Horizons.

"His commitment to increasing our awareness as service providers and creating more welcoming communities through his public education should be applauded."

Lorie Payne, Manager, Essex ACL.

"The positive feedback from individuals who attended your three hour presentation has been overwhelming to say the least. You provided a well organized and thorough overview...."

Tamara MacPherson, Project Coordinator, North Grenville, Brockville, Gananoque ACLs.

On Community Planning

"Richard's involvement at the Community Planning Committee is beyond measure...His ability to articulate the importance of valuing individuals as "people first" and to remind the group to remember who we are doing their work for is - in one word- invaluable."

Michelle J. Friesen, Project Facilitator,

Windsor- Essex Community Planning Committee for Adult Developmental Services.

"Richard continues to be a moving force on the Board of Directors of Windsor Community Living as he consistently reminds us of the need for plain language and to always keep in mind the Mission Statement of the organization."

Kevin J. Hague, President, Windsor Community Living.

On Student Awareness

"Mr. Ruston is a powerful and effective speaker . He is very able to get the students attention and to help them to see people as "people first". Students have identified his presentation as one of the most memorable classes of their academic career."

Norma Smith, Casey Huisman, Professors, DSW Program, St. Clair College.

"Richard left a lasting impression in Kirkland Lake."

Ray Mallette, Guidance Dept. Kirkland Lake CVI.

"I must congratulate you for your accomplishments, your desire to learn, and to overcome. You are an example, indeed for many others".

Beth Cooper, Chairperson, Windsor Board of Education.

"I was impressed with the way you were able to help them to make the connection between their beliefs and values and your important message".

Timothy Coughlin, School Principal.

"An outstanding presentation. Our students found his words, experience, and message to the community very enlightening and inspirational".

Helen Andreou, Teacher, Holy Names High School, Windsor.

"The students found you to be enlightening and very supportive. Your efforts make the pathway a little easier for our students to follow".

Jan Mariotti, Program Leader. Walkerville Collegiate.

"Richard Ruston has made a tremendous contribution to the education of students of all ages and abilities. I was especially pleased with the patience and tolerance that Richard showed the children. He is a man who lives what he preaches".

Carol Seguin, Principal.

On People First Development

"Because of his charisma, determination and commitment, People First of Windsor became one of the strongest People First organizations in Ontario. Richard's personal advocacy and organizational activities have resulted in that group developing into a major partner in the field".

Marlyn Shervil, Advisor, People First of Windsor.

"Thank you for all your hard work and dedication that you openly shared and displayed. You have touched many of our  hearts, as well as our personal experiences".

Susan Cooper, President, Peterborough People First.

"Richard's enthusiasm and knowledge made this workshop both informative and interesting. As a result, the Chatham advocates decided to form People First of Chatham". 

Brian Kelly, Nina Kirkland-Kelly, Grace Negri-Sterling, 

Advisors, People First of Chatham.

On Advocacy Partnerships

"You are a role model for our community and an outstanding advocate for people with disabilities".

Joyce Zuk, Executive Director, Citizen Advocacy, Windsor-Essex.

"We were very impressed with the workshop and with Mr. Ruston's presentation skills".

Jan Burke-Gaffney and  Therese Szkut, 

Directors, Hamilton family Network.

"He is an extremely effective advocate on behalf of all people with developmental disabilities. We recommend his presentation to others, both families and self-advocates."

Linda Bury, Marleen Crawford and Alison Ouellette,

Coordinators, Windsor-Essex Family Network.

"It is interesting that Richard is as quietly persuasive in daily conversation as he is compelling in his public presentations. The rights and responsibilities inherent with inclusion for everyone are clearly his consuming passion".

Natalie Taylor, Project Coordinator, "Taking care of Tomorrow"

Family & friends of the Mentally handicapped, Windsor.

On Community Awareness

"Our meeting provided valuable assistance to me in understanding the challenges faced by those with developmental disabilities and their families".

Wayne Lessard,  former MPP, Windsor- Riverside.

"Your message was very important and I hope it reached everyone who attended".

Kay Reeves, All Saints Anglican Church.

"Our leadership was impressed with your ability to relate to our youth in a very professional and relaxed manner".

Robert Chittim, Akela Forest Glade - 93rd C Cubs.

"He can speak with conviction and it shows in his mannerisms that he believes and completely understands his messages. He is a great ambassador".

Caralle Hicks, Contact Guider, 1st Essex Rangers.