Margaret Pike awarded Order of NL for volunteer work

After 30 years of helping people with intellectual disabilities, Margaret Pike received praise in the highest form. Pike was one of eight people this week to receive the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador. The medal was presented by Lieutenant Governor John Crosbie in a ceremony at Government House on Friday, Dec. 11.

The Bloomfield resident says even though she learned about the nomination back in June, it's just now sinking in.

"I've got butterflies and I'm nervous," Pike said in an interview a few days before the ceremony.

Pike moved with her family to Labrador City in 1979.

Two years later she became a member of the Labrador West Association for Community Living (LWACL), and has also worked with Newfoundland and Labrador Association for Community Living.

That group's goal was to lobby for full inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities.

Pike credits her daughter, Kelly, who has an intellectual disability, leading her to become a volunteer in the first place. One of the main reasons the family - including two daughters and her husband, Everett - moved from Churchill Falls, Labrador, to Labrador City in 1979 was because of the possibility of more educational opportunities for Kelly.

But while Kelly, who is now 35, was taking part in community activities, Pike said that because of her disability, she was placed in a classroom with just one other student.

After 10 years of lobbying with the Department of Education and the school board about the issue, Pike said she took part in a court case in 1989 where 15 children with intellectual disabilities, and their families, won the support they needed.

"My belief is, that with the right support, it doesn't matter what your disability is. You can do what everyone else does, just that you need extra help," explained Pike. "And the student assistance and teacher assistance in the school system were just as important to people like Kelly as a science group was to my other daughter, Connie."

A press released issued by the province on the day of the awards, noted, "With Ms. Pike's guidance, the Labrador West Employment Centre Corporation has successfully employed over 100 individuals with meaningful employment."

She is also responsible, in part, for the creation of the CACL/Ken Gage Memorial Bowling Tournament, the LWACL's primary fundraiser, which has raised over $200,000.

"Guided by values of equality, honesty and compassion, Ms. Pike has travelled the province advancing the rights of people with developmental disabilities," the release continues. "Her work has positively affected thousands of people, their families and their communities. It is Ms. Pike's belief that all people have value, a principle that is a cornerstone of this province.

"The act of giving is a demonstration of love and a priceless gift to the recipient. Ms. Pike is the epitome of selfless giving, and symbolizes the good that we can all achieve if we put our hearts and minds to a cause and see it through."

Pike is still involved with the Newfoundland and Labrador Association for Community Living. However, she says her favourite part of the job has always been talking with families and those with intellectual disabilities, listening to the issues they face.

"I didn't see it as work. If everyone enjoyed their job as much as I did with the advocacy work, then they're very blessed in having a job like that," she explained.

While Pike says it's nice to be getting the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador, she never expected it.

"It's hard to talk about it personally, in terms of my involvement," she said. "I just enjoy what I do. It's just a way of life for me."