Share A Home

Simply put, Sharing a Home is how most of us live the majority of our lives. People who share our lives, accept us for our talents and our faults and will stick by us no matter what - this is what we all wish for.

On top of this, a comfortable home, a safe place to be, interests and hobbies to enjoy and friends to share those moments with, all are things that create a rich and healthy life.

If these are the things that are valuable and the "norm" for most people, shouldn't we offer that same option to people with disabilities as one of the choices for community living? YES!

 In 1995, Community Living St. Marys and Area provided this kind of opportunity for a man who was residing in a hospital.  A quick admission to hospital was made after his parent had recently passed away. Obviously, this was an inappropriate place to live and since he had always lived with his family, he agreed that another family would make him feel the most secure and happy.

Today he shares a home and his life with Susan and through the years, he has lived with two families. They share her home, a home filled with laughter, where the good is shared with the difficult and most of all where both people feel they belong- together! "I knew having a roommate was a good decision but family and friends were concerned that I would be limiting my lifestyle. Well, we proved them wrong! My roommate and I have expanded both our lives and have been able to enjoy so many opportunities-both together and apart. Now I often hear that my roommate is good for me and I am good for him-just took a little longer to realize this!" A quote from Susan.

Today four people share a home with families on a full time basis, and many others spend an occasional weekend away. Natural families, families who share their homes and especially the person with a disability all welcome the weekends away as a means to recharge batteries and have some fun!

Families are unique and may consist of a single person, a couple or parent (s) with children. They are found in a variety of ways but by far the most effective is word of mouth. While comprehensive screening is completed for everyone, nothing compares to a referral from someone who knows someone who...

Anyone who is eligible to be supported by Community Living St. Marys and Area is accepted. Age does not matter, the youngest child who shares a home is 8 years old and the oldest is 68.

For more information please call Don Dingwall - 284-1400, ext. 223 or e-mail: don@communitylivingstmarys.