We are from and based in Vancouver, Canada and have always been actively involved in social enterprise and entrepreneurialism. Al's daughter Liz is a constant reminder to this socially engaged couple about the worry that all parents of sons and daughters with disabilities face - how will my son/daughter survive in the world when I am gone. Who will look after my child? We knew we were not alone with our anxieties and we felt compelled to take the initiative to see what we could do.
This thought crystallised into PLAN (Planned Lifetime Advocacy Network) which was established in 1989. The aim of PLAN is to prepare and support people with disabilities in later life. However as the organisation grew the message of PLAN changed to ‘what does a good life look like for our relatives with disabilities?’ PLAN’s vision is simple; we want everyone to have access to a good life. The creation of the Personal Networks programme was tantamount in the delivery of our vision; this saw people, including family, commit to be a part of disabled person’s community for a life time.
From PLAN came the online support system of Tyze, which was established in 2009. This online forum provides private and secure networks for the carers of those looking after elderly relatives, those who are chronically ill, etc. The issues that PLAN and Tyze address are concurrent with what is happening in Europe –an increasingly aging population that requires constructive economic responses to the growing costs of health and social care.
