ASSOCIATION SERVICES

The Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Association of Quebec was founded in 1975, with a mandate to improve the quality of life of its members and of those whose lives have been touched by spina bifida. That is our mission, and we are at your service!

The new Executive Council for 2008-2009

A New President: A New Guide
Mr. Marc Picard succeeds to Mrs. Sylvie Girouard as the President of the Board of Directors 2007-2008. Mrs. Girouard left her position as President at the time of the last Annual General Assembly after six years of service. It is thus with pleasure that we introduce our new President to you.

Native of Kapuskasing, in the north of Ontario, Marc Picard and all his family move to Montreal when he was seven years old. Schooling was a test for him. He felt very isolated, more especially as he did not know any other child who, like him, lived with spina bifida and hydrocephaly. Marc also changed school several times and he repeated his grade sixth. But Marc Picard never get discouraged. On the contrary, equipped with a very given nature, he obtained its collegial diploma in telecommunications. Since, he has worked in this field for various companies through Quebec.

In its early thirties, Marc Picard took a look at his life. He wanted to really know some more about the people who, like him, live with spina bifida and hydrocephaly. By chance, during a television broadcast, he heard the testimony of a woman who had spina bifida and discovers, at the same time, the existence of the Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Association of Quebec. Marc decided right away to become a member of our organization and to sit on the Board of Directors. It was almost 10 years ago!

Marc Picard waited nearly thirty years to break his isolation. As President of the Board of Directors, he hopes to guide the 9000 people living with the spina bifida and hydrocephaly in our province towards the Association. Thus, those people will see them being offered the services which they have the right to receive.

To help him achieve his goal, Marc Picard is supported, on the Board of Directors, by Catherine Dubé, social worker at the Shriners Hospital for Children of Montreal; Andree Gosselin, Program Manager at the Rehabilitation Centre Constance-Lethbridge, Nathalie Boëls, writer and Marie-Eve Ouellet, communication agent at Stratège Idées communication; Luc Farley whose spouse has spina bifida, René Labonté, adults living with spina bifida and Yves Sirois, father of an adult who lives with spina bifida and hydrocephaly.

Marc Picard , President

We would also like to present the other members of the Board of Directors for the year.

This dynamic team, led by Sylvie who is passionate about improving the situation of persons with disabilities, has a rich and varied background with a great deal of experience.

We offer them our most sincere congratulations and assure them of our close cooperation in all the coming project to further the cause of those with spina-bifida in Québec.

The SBHAQ seeks to play a front line role in the enhancement of the lives of people with spina bifida and their families. From the moment spina bifida has been diagnosed during pregnancy to the moment an adult with spina bifida or her family needs to get answers to questions regarding the evolution of the disorder, the SBHAQ can help by providing important support. We understand the anxieties, confusion, worries that these people feel. We put our heart into supporting them with all the information at our disposal so that they can make the choices demanded by their individual situation.

Read on to find out about our goals, our membership services, and the events and publications that help you to understand spina bifida and the efforts we seek to make. The cause of spina bifida is our main preoccupation, and our message must be heard!