A perspective from a potential CoHabit “Neighbour” ...

It’s a well-known stereotype that people with disabilities have isolating lives from traditional society; however, to actually live with a disability as I do, “isolating” isn’t the word I would explain to people of how it feels to live with a disability or care for someone with a disability. The term is “stuck in a frozen space” where you keep growing older without actually moving forward with your life. As a person with a disability, you see your friends or siblings getting jobs and buying houses and knowing their future in the world; on the other side of the coin, our parents and caregivers are frozen in time, too, because they can’t afford to live their lives without always having to worry about us like we are still children needing them to protect us. Well, I don’t want my mom and loved ones to worry about what will happen to me if tragically they can’t care for me anymore or even if they want to go on vacation for six months. Truthfully, without CoHabit, I don’t see a future for myself, but with CoHabit, I could say that I wouldn’t be “frozen in time” looking at people going past me. I would be rolling beside them, just living my life.

Hello everyone. We are the McLennan Family. Keith, Sandy and our 2 sons, Derek, 31 and Trent, 27. Derek was born with Cerebral Palsy and is confined to a wheelchair and needs assistance with most basic functions as well as 24/7 care. He is a popular man and our large circle of family and friends has helped us make his first 31 years as good as possible. As Sandy and I move well into our 60’s many of those issues become greater and become much harder for us to accomplish. CoHabit is a future dream that would put Derek into a group setting with 24/7 care and many functions and friends that would benefit everyone for many years to come. This is long overdue for disabled adults in our province. We need to have this come to fruition so we can relieve many years of stress and anxiety worrying about our son Derek’s future.

— Keith & Sandy McLennan

As a mom to a special needs 18 year old boy the question that I think of daily is, what’s next? What does the future hold for my boy? Who’s going to care for him once I’m gone? These are tough questions that weigh heavily on all parents of special needs.

As Nicholas is growing into a man it is becoming increasingly challenging to care for him on a daily basis. I know that I can’t do this forever. It’s exhausting! And he honestly doesn’t want mom around all the time either.

All parents want their kids to become independent, healthy adults and have the opportunities to create the best life possible!

We desperately need this facility here in our city! It will allow our kids to continue to grow and thrive and be given all of the opportunities to become as independent as possible!

The intense therapy that Nicholas has had over the years has made such a huge impact on his quality of life and I truly believe that with a facility like this it will carry on with him into his adult life.

The level of care and support that CoHabit will provide will ensure they are able to live their best life!

So Will’s plan is to always be at his full potential for his entire life. Even after his dad is gone...He’s a fun loving, very sociable guy, always charming the ladies and never has a dull moment.

We’re saying hello to you all because you may be helping him carry out that plan to maintain his full potential by living in a caring, loving and respectful home. He’s 22 in September, time is rolling on and he’s looking for that place to live “just like home”.

When the time comes when dad is unable to care for him CoHabit is the answer to both of our hopes and aspirations for those “later” years...when even dad may need a home.

Thanks for your attention. — Joe and Will

When your child is disabled and is not able to care for himself, we need to know that there are options for him to live in an accessible, supportive, and socially appropriate environment to feel safe, cared for, happy, and like he belongs, so he can fully participate in his life alongside his peers!

As my husband and I age, caring for our son who has a significant physical disability, on a daily basis, becomes more difficult. We are slowly wearing out and have less energy after a day of caring for his physical needs, to also give him opportunities to participate in an active life, to his best ability. We are concerned about the care for the well-being of our son in adulthood, and what would happen to him if suddenly, we can’t be there for him. We all want what is best for our children, regardless of age or capability.” — Cindy

“My daughter and I need better support, better funding, and a place for her to call her own; a place where she can shine like the bright star that she is.

Being told that the only option for my daughter, who has a significant disability, to move out of our home would be to put her in an assisted living senior complex, was devastating. When she turned 18 and transitioned to “adult services” it was like a slap in the face as we found out that she didn’t qualify for any support programs other than Employment Insurance Assistance, which doesn’t even cover her basic needs.

As a single parent, I have to take 100% of the responsibilities for my daughter’s care and well-being. I have medical issues and have a disability of my own that grows worse each year and now inhibits my ability to care for my daughter. I’m scared for her future and worry about what will happen as I age, get sicker or die.

I think about where she will live that would a be safe, secure and positive environment. Stuck living at home with her mother is slowly ripping the joy from her life as she watches her siblings and friends move forward to engage the world and its many opportunities, albeit opportunities that don’t include her. My stress level is maxed out, my sleep suffers, my heart aches. I don’t have enough time in the day to work, care for my daughter, take care of my home, or take care of myself so that I will be a positive person in society." — Paula