My name is Roland Swityk, I have Down Syndrome, and I’ve lived on my own for a long time. First I moved out to Kiwanis Park Place in Ocean Park. I did my own cooking grocery shopping with some support. The best part about living at Kiwanis Park Place was that I proved to myself […]
A year ago, I was trying to find activities outside of the house. I don’t let my limitations get to me. But my diversability does get in the way at times, and limits me to what I can do. I am extreme when it comes to living my life, and when I say extreme, I […]
By: Chantal Martin (Port Coquitlam B.C.) When I think of art, I think of the word happy. That’s because art has brought me a lot of joy in my life. When I create art, I feel calm and relaxed. When I feel stressed out, I get out my colouring books and it can […]
By: Lee Kissinger (Victoria, B.C.) I had a very difficult matter happen in my life recently. My mom passed away and many things in my life changed. I needed help setting up my new life. First I had some testing to see if I could get support. Then I met with a social worker […]
By Stacey Francis (North Vancouver, B.C.) What is it going to be like when I get older? Will I be weaker? Will I live to be old? Will I have any medical complications? I was a 20-year-old woman with so many questions about ageing with cerebral palsy. In an effort to find […]
By Pete Hoogenraad (Cloverdale, B.C.) Hi, my name is Pete Hoogenraad. I am 60 years old. I live in Cloverdale BC and I’ve lived in the Lower Mainland my whole life. I lived with my mom for 30 years as an adult, until she got sick. She passed away last March and I visit […]
By: Sherwin Strong I live in the beautiful Comox Valley. As a 13 year resident and 5 year Advocate Liaison, I am all for Equality. In my role as an Advocate Liaison, I have become involved with the young adults in the Valley by supporting their community inclusion, employment and better quality of […]
Hi, my Name is Krystian Shaw. Wow, I can’t believe that it’s been over 5 years now since I started running my own newsletter business. The Kamloops Self Advocate newsletter is growing bigger than ever. I now deliver 140 newsletters to 45 businesses around Kamloops. As a result, I now have had to hire another […]
It all started in my early years when I lived in Toronto Ontario. It was very difficult growing up in school, being bullied by the kids. I can recall the times when I attended Tabor Park Vocational School and found myself hiding in the bathroom stalls until everybody left for home, in order […]
By Lillian W. (B.C.) Travelling can be a rewarding experience whether exploring new places in our province, our country; or experiencing other cultures and countries. Although I had a great desire to travel, I also had a great deal of anxiety about how I would manage. On some of my travels I […]
