HANDICAP-VIE-DIGNITÉ
In 1991, the non-profit organization, the Lise T. Foundation, was founded by Hélène Rumak and Johanne Ravenda following the death of Lise, their guardian, who fought hard to preserve the life she loved so much, despite her severe disability. In 1995, the organization’s name was changed to Handicap Vie Dignité (HVD).
After discovering significant cases of mistreatment, abuse, and neglect of residents at St. Charles Borromée Hospital (now known as CHSLD Paul-Émile-Léger), HVD filed a class action lawsuit against the institution, which was authorized by the court in 1999. In 2013, a negotiated settlement in the amount of $8,500,000 was reached between the parties. This is the largest compensation ever paid in Quebec and Canadian history involving a class action lawsuit against a public health institution. A significant portion of this amount ($7,000,000) was distributed to the residents of the Saint-Charles-Borromée Hospital. Another portion was allocated by the Court to create the Gisèle Allard Fund for Residents’ Quality of Life ($250,000) and the Hélène Rumak Fund for information and training on residents’ rights ($250,000) as remedial measures.
HVD played a managerial role for the Hélène Rumak Fund while also having oversight of the management of the Gisèle Allard Fund administered by Saint-Charles-Borromée Hospital. The Court established strict criteria for the use of these funds, notably, the requirement that they be used over a ten-year period (2013–2023).
HVD fulfilled all the conditions of this agreement by creating and carrying out various educational and training activities, including a conference for unpaid caregivers, professionals, and the general public. HVD participated on special projects, including an informal coffee meetup aimed at improving the community life of CHSLD Paul-Émile Léger residents. Moreover, in collaboration with the Théâtre Parminou, HVD, thanks to the Hélène Rumak Fund, contributed to funding and organizing a theatrical production illustrating compassion and best practices towards people living in CHSLDs, with performances in several institutions and community organizations.
Finally, training based on a research project https://www.handicapviedignite.ca/en/current-activities/ was also developed. HVD continues to build on this legacy.
The Founders
Co-founder of Handicap-Vie-Dignité
HÉLÈNE RUMAK
« Un grand pas aura été fait quand on traitera les personnes âgées les plus vulnérables comme des êtres humains. » ( ref.: Noel, André. “CHSLD: des conditions de vie scandaleuses”, La Presse. le 20 octobre 2003, p. A3)
Gisèle Allard (1960-2009) resident of the Saint-Charles-Borromée Hospital, representative of the collective action/class action of HVD
Cofounder with the late Hélène Rumak and Honorary President of Handicap-Vie-Dignité
JOHANNE RAVENDA
Graduate of McGill University with a Masters in Social Work
From early adolescence to adulthood, Johanne Ravenda, has been involved with various groups of individuals: teenagers, young adults with intellectual or physical disabilities, high-school students, people. In 1983, she dropped out of school to join the Hélène Rumak Foster Home, where she assisted Hélène Rumak in providing care to Lise, her severely disabled cousin. At the same time, she pursued her studies and earned a Bachelor degree in Social Work at McGill University in 1986. Following her protégé’s death in 1990, she cofounded in 1991, with Mrs. Rumak, the Fondation Lise T. – to foster respect for severely disabled individuals’ right to life and dignity, which changed its name to Handicap-Vie-Dignité (HVD) in 1996. Between 1991 and 2003, she held a position as a health care assistant (PAB) to older adults with a loss of autonomy. From 1996 to 2009, she was also appointed guardian for Gisèle Allard, a resident at the Saint-Charles-Borromée hospital. Appointed by the court, she would act as representative for the class action suit brought against the Saint-Charles-Borromée hospital. In 1996, the Gazette newspaper recognized her contribution, as well as that of Hélène Rumak in the section Montreal 2000— City’s as bright as its leading lights. In 2004, she earned her Master in Social Work from McGill University.
Past Members
Past Member of Handicap Vie Dignité
DANIEL PILOTE
(1962-2024)
Was a resident of the long-term care
centre in St-Jean-sur-Richelieu. Since
the age of nine, Daniel Pilote had suffered
from muscular dystrophy. He was
paralyzed from the neck down.
Below is a link to his video capsules
promoting health justice.
HANDICAP-VIE-DIGNITÉ
THE CHICKADEE AND THE DOVE
One day, a chickadee meets a dove.
The chickadee asks the dove:
– “How much does a snowflake weigh?”
– “Nothing, nothing other than nothing” said the dove.
The chickadee then tells him this story:
“I was on a fir branch when it started to snow. Not a storm; no, just like a dream, gently, without violence. Since I had nothing better to do, I started counting the flakes that fell on the branch where I was standing. 3,751,962 fell. When the 3,751,963 fell on the branch, nothing but nothing, as you said, the branch broke.”
With that, the chickadee flew away. The dove thought for a moment and finally said to herself: “Maybe only one person is missing for everything to change and the world to live in peace?”