The People We Support

In 2001, DCLS provided support to 126 citizens of Delta ranging in age from 19 to 83. The number of individuals accessing our services is quite stable from year to year, although many more people are on waitlists.

The kind of services provided varies greatly according to individual needs and circumstances. To some people supported in residential services, DCLS has become their home and extended family, whereas others live semi-independently or with their parents and only access specific recreational or vocational programs. Some individuals require extensive assistance and care for daily living, while others are quite autonomous.

All the people we support are individuals with unique gifts to offer, coping with particular challenges. Like all of us, they have hopes and fears, needs that can only be met with the help of others and dreams they cannot fulfill alone.

Each of the people we support has a story. Here are just a few.

__________

After leaving high school at 19, Jeremy was lonely and bored. He moved from his parents' home into a group home where he could share in more activities, but the first year, he found it difficult to adjust. Rather than go out with staff and housemates, he preferred to stay in his room alone. When visits to his childhood home came to an end, he found it hard to leave. But gradually he adjusted, and with support from his DCLS caregivers as well as his parents, he took on new challenges.

Jeremy (second from the left) receiving his achievement award
from the Duke of Edinburgh.

Jeremy has now earned the Bronze and Silver Duke of Edinburgh achievement awards, and is about to receive his Gold. And after a good visit with his parents, he usually says, "Dad, can I go home now?"

__________

Donald had come to DCLS many years ago as a mature adult from a provincial institution. He had no family but over the years had become very close to the group home staff, especially Vicki, who would always bring him home to spend Christmas with her family. When Donald became ill at the age of 69, Vicki and other staff were able to stay with him at the hospital day and night. They were with him when he died.

__________

Kenny, an active man in his 30s, lives in a group home with three other people, including his best friend Peter. When Kenny was diagnosed with adult diabetes, DCLS staff educated him to manage his condition. With supervision, he takes his own glucose levels, which are charted by the staff, and gives himself the required insulin shots. He works in the community one day a week and also at the DCLS workshop. His family has moved away from Delta but he visits them on holidays.

__________

At 84, Joan is one of the old timers with DCLS. Several decades ago, she was moved from a provincial institution to the Variety Farm in Ladner. When the residents moved from the farm into group homes, Joan was very apprehensive because she had never lived in the community. She adjusted very well. When she is not out walking or visiting the local shops, Joan is probably knitting her afghan squares. She recently celebrated her birthday on a cruise with her brother and sister-in-law.

__________

Stuart had always loved airplanes and his lifelong dream was to fly to Disneyland. He was in his 40s when at long last, he was able to go, accompanied by several housemates and their staff. They had a wonderful time, and Stuart's dream was fulfilled. On the flight back to Vancouver, Stuart died of a heart attack. At his memorial service, there was standing room only.

__________

Margaret is in her 40s now. She lived at home until both her parents had passed away. When she first came to live in a group home, she was grieving. Through the day program, she has gradually started talking to people, made friends, and she enjoys drawing. __________ Leigh, in his 50s is a long time DCLS resident. He worked at the workshop and in the greenhouse for years but recently decided to retire. He still volunteers at a hair salon and attends Aquafit one day a week at Winskill Pool. His passion is local government, and he tapes council meetings, reads the local papers, and is very well informed about developments in our community. Leigh's dream to meet a Delta Councillor actually came true.

__________

Elaine was born in 1950 and was placed in an institution at a very young age. When the institutions were disbanded, Elaine spent 10 years in a group home. For the past several years, Elaine has lived in family care and she has blossomed in this environment. People tell her she is a new woman.

__________

When Eileen came to live in family care with DCLS, she could not speak and she was very frightened. Already in her late 60s, she had spent many years living with an aging caregiver when she was finally placed with a loving family. Today, at 77, Eileen has been helped to reconnect with two sisters. She likes to do pottery and sends her sisters gifts she makes. And she can talk. Asked what she would like in her life, she answered, "A tall man with black hair and a moustache!"

__________

Rights and responsibilities

We respect the rights of the people we support, and assist them in understanding and fulfilling their responsibilities to best of their abilities. Their individual rights include:

RIGHTS STATEMENT

• The right to food, clothing and shelter
• The right to medical and dental care
• The right to be protected against any form of abuse, neglect, humiliation, exploitation, retaliaton and or ridicule
• The right to be an active member of society
• The right to freedom of thought and expression
• The right to stand up for yourself
• The right to receive support to exercise rights
• The right to receive information about rights and responsibilities
• The right to access inclusive services and activities
• The right to make choices about your own life and have them honored
• The right to be informed of the consequences of choice
• The right to be treated with dignity and worth
• The right to be spoken to in a respectful manner
• The right to learn
• The right to pursue happiness
• The right to have and make friends
• The right to privacy
• The right to receive or refuse service
• The right to choose what happens to your body
• The right to receive information in a way that you can understand
• The right to access your own information
• The right to formally complain and have your complaint responded to in a reasonable time frame
• The right to your religious or spiritual beliefs

We all have the same rights regardless of our race, gender, origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability or family composition.

With rights come responsibilities, for example home maintenance, health and safety rules, managing finances, accessing community resources and cooperating with others. Each individual's ability to understand and accept responsibility is different.

Respecting rights and responsibilities does not always have clear rules. Each relationship will have its own interpretation of how a right is realized and to what extent the corresponding responsibility is taught or expected. However, it is important never to make assumptions when assessing what an individual can and cannot do.