My Life

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         As a child, I was placed in  a group home  and went to segregated schools.

Many different labels were applied to me during my life and I never felt that I was wanted, needed or loved.

         As I grew up, I always believed that nobody would listen to me and that all the "professionals" were out to get me. I eventually made it through a vocational grade 12 program and started my many community job searches.

        I look back on that period as a  rough time in my life. I felt I didn't fit in. I couldn't read or write and I didn't think I was getting the support I needed from people I thought were my friends. Due to a doctor's report that said I had a low tolerance for stress and could only work in a controlled, low pressure setting, I ended up in  ARC Industries, a local sheltered workshop. However, being at ARC Industries put me under a lot of stress. I knew I could do more and wanted the chance.

       I wanted to show people I could work in the community, but, I was afraid to go against what they said. In the past, most of my decisions had been made for me and I believed  that the ones I made for myself were usually wrong.

        Luckily, I met staff at the local Association for Community Living who became my friends. They believed in me and helped me set up a network of other friends, family and neighbors. This group made me more aware of myself and helped me to realize I had goals and how I should go about reaching them. Because of that group of friends I gained a greater sense of self-confidence and knew that things would get better.  I left ARC and began a new life.

        The turning point in my life was when I was asked to sit on the Board of Directors of my Association for Community Living. I started going to board meetings, meeting other families, lawyers and accountants who asked me for my opinions. I was called the "language cop" because I challenged people not to use jargon. I did not want to be a token and people became more aware that I needed to be involved.

          Then, in the fall of 1991, three friends asked me to start a formal People First group in Windsor. We started off with four members and the numbers have increased tremendously over the years. I was President until 1999 and now serve on the Executive Committee as Past President.

       I'm happy, successful and believe I have a good future ahead of me.

      The ACL movement gave me a voice and people started listening to me. It's amazing how I've grown. I am where I am today because people gave me the chance to follow my dreams.

The chain begins with "one" and many more will follow.