Earlier this year, a teacher from Wallaceburg District Secondary School (WDSS) contacted Community Living Wallaceburg’s Outcome Facilitator, Janice Tulloch, hopeful for a presentation to their Professional Support Worker (PSW) program students. Seeking insight into the developmental services sector field, Janice provided expectations of personal care, daily in-home responsibilities, support with medical appointments, community activities and events, grocery shopping, budgeting, skill building, offering choices, meal planning and preparing.
To further educate students about the people they would be working with, the school was connected to one of the Agency’s Direct Support Professionals, Madison Clarke hopeful for a presentation from Marie Andree, a person who is supported by CLW who is unable to communicate with words but has her own form of communication.
Having supported Marie Andree for more than two years now, Madison would describe her relationship with Marie Andree as “great from the very beginning.” They love to laugh and have a good time together and can pick up on each other’s cues and anticipate needs moment to moment.
With the support and encouragement of both Madison and her father, Marie Andree readily and excitedly stepped up to the challenge. With her first ever Vision Board in tow, Marie Andree did a wonderful job of sharing who she is and what’s important to her. The students thoroughly enjoyed the presentation.
This is a story of unlocking potential for Marie Andree certainly, but because of her generous sharing she is also helping to unlock the potential of these eager students. It’s a win- win for WDSS and Community Living Wallaceburg!
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