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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2000-05-17, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 2000. Families provide loving homes for challenged Giving of themselves and their home Jim and Lorraine Main, centre, of Ethel opened their home 15 years ago to provide a family environment to developmentally challenged adults. Robin, left, has lived with the Mains for 11 years and Steven has been with them for three. By Janice Becker Citizen staff Though Jim and Lorraine Main of Ethel were recently recognized for 15 years of giving, they say they have received just as much in return. The couple has offered their home to developmentally challenged adults, giving them a home environment in which to flourish as well as helping them maintain the link to their biological families. Involved in the federal government’s Familyhome Program since 1985, Lorraine says their motivation came from the loss of two of their own children to heart disease. “We had extra love to give,” she says, but they were not interested in the heartbreak which can be a part of short-term care programs. “We didn’t want to keep saying goodbye.” Lorraine began by driving a bus for developmentally handicapped adults, admitting she was at first afraid of them. Soon she realized that they were just people and that they are often devalued. She and her husband were soon applying to the special care program which matches challenged adults with a family home environment that works well for all involved. Their first new family member, Harold, had lived in an institution for 50 years. The Mains’ home would be his first family setting. Harold was deaf, legally blind and had Down’s Syndrome. “He was a neat fellow,” says Jim. Harold lived with the couple for 10 years during which time they developed a “mutual love relationship”, Loraine says. “He was a blessing. He had an amazing personality.” Though the Mains say Harold had his little idiosyncrasies, as a family member they didn’t see them. “That was his personality. It was part of the package.” Harold succumbed to Alzheimer’s. They provided a home to Anna for a shorter period of time until she died tragically in an accident. In 1989, Robin arrived then just three years ago, Steven was added to the family. Having visited the Main home previously, Steven chose to live with the family when his caregiver passed away. “I like it here,” he says, with a smile. A real animal lover, Steven loves the dogs and cats which add to the liveliness of the home. Able to venture throughout Ethel on his own, Steven can often be seen cleaning up the park by the ball diamond or shoveling a neighbouring drive during the winter. “The neighbours have been very sympathetic,” Lorraine says. “We met a new neighbour through Steven’s kindness.” Steven smiles and agrees when Lorraine says everyone is very good to him. Robin, not able to wander the community like Steven, sticks close to the house. “I’ve gotten used to these fellows,” Jim grins. “It is amazing how easily they become part of the family. They are not an intrusion at all.” Though many have commented on the wonderful contribution the Mains are giving, Jim says he has learned both patience and empathy by welcoming these adults into his home. “They have made me a different person, probably for the better.” Lorraine agrees that she has received a lot by opening her home. “They helped heal the losses in my life. They gave my life meaning and purpose. I have shed a lot of tears, but have had as much laughter.” When asked about the type of people who become involved in Familyhome, Lorraine says participants must open their minds, look beyond the disabilities and have AFP Wealth Management HELEN M. HETHERINGTON, cfp Financial Planning Consultant WHEN CONSIDERING YOUR FINANCIAL FUTURE, RETAIN PROFESSIONAL ADVICE. Call me at 887:9964 or 1-800-869-8922 Head Office: 800-20 Erb St. W. Waterloo. ON N2L 1T2 519-886-8600 ING Ai) Group Leaves and yard debris will be picked up on any regular pickup day, free of charge or no bag tag; providing they are placed in a dear plastic bag, being clearly visible of the contents of the bag. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CALL - THE MORRIS TOWNSHIP MUNICIPAL OFFICE - 519-887-6137 a sense of humour. “You have to laugh at stuff.” “People forget what they give us,” she says. “I don’t know many (people) that love you unconditionally.” Another family who provides care for two women received recognition for more than five years of involvement. Elizabeth Leuenberger of Jamestown, finds Isabel and Betty to be great company when her trucker husband, Beat, is on the road. After seeing an ad in the newspaper in 1991 for support families, Leuenberger says she decided to participate. Betty has been with her since December of that year. Though Betty is unable to do many things on her own and cannot talk, Leuenberger says she is “really cute”. Isobel, who arrived three years ago, has Down’s Syndrome and a very short memory, but is able to help out with the cleaning at some local shops. Leuenberger says it is a very nice job even though there can be a lot of work. New to the program, Francine and Michael Bechard of Ethel added Familyhome to their community service two years ago after several years in the foster care program. Having provided homes for infants to teens, Bechard says it was time to try something else. Bechard knew the Huron-Perth social worker for Familyhome, Barb Barton-McMillan, and soon had Wendy in her home. Though Wendy is non-verbal and of low functionality, Bechard says she is a joy and gets along wonderfully with the two Bechard children who are seven and 10. Part of the decision to move to the adult program was for the sake of stability for the children. Bechard says it was difficult for everyone having youngsters leave the home after they had been there for a year or more. “Wendy is marvelous,” Bechard adds. “She is very hands-on with a happy disposition. She is a breath of fresh air. She loves to hug. Wendy is smile therapy.” Now with the Bechards for almost two .years, Wendy has settled in, attending the Jack Reavie Centre in Wingham as well as a seniors group in Brussels. Bechard says she and her family have benefitted from involvement in both foster care and Familyhome. The children have become accustomed to seeing handicapped people, children from every ethnicity as well as those who are dealing with drug, alcohol or other problems. “It is a great opportunity to discuss the issues with your children,” she says. With her own children in the home, Bechard always involved them in the decision making when it came to welcoming new members to the family. “It is a family decision as they have to share their home with (someone else).” Bechard also suggests that anyone interested in becoming a home provider should do some “self­ searching” first. “What are your abilities and what are you able to handle. Can you bathe someone? Can you change an adult diaper? What are your strong points and what works with your family?” Familyhome Program, which began in 1976 from the Midwestern LARGE ITEM PICKUP IN THE HAMLETS OF “MORRIS TOWNSHIP” FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2000 The Township of Morris is hosting a “Large Item Pickup” or “Treasure Swap” Day for all of the residents of the Hamlets in the Township of Morris on FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2000 If you have any large items you would like to give away or dispose of, set them out at the curb by 9:00 a.m. on Friday, i/lay 26, 2000. Please identify items that are available to be “swapped" by tying a piece of material on them. All those looking for items must remember that only the items identified with a piece of material are available for the taking. The Township is not responsible for items accidentally removed by error, so all residents should ensure that all items are correctly labeled or removed from the area. Any items not “swapped” on Friday, will be collected by Carter Waste Disposal on Saturday morning - May 26, 2000, commencing at 9 a.m. and transferred to the landfill site. If you wish to save any item not taken on Friday, please remove them from the curb before 9 a.m. on Saturday morning. Items that are available for collection are: • Household furniture • Appliances • Barbecues • Rototillers or other gardening tools • Lawnmowers • Lawn chairs and tables • Clothing • Refrigerators, freezers or air conditioners - only with a “Freon Free” sticker. The following items WILL NOT be picked up: • Regular household garbage • Recycling materials • Construction or Demolition Debris • Tires • Agricultural Waste NOTE - LEAVES & YARD DEBRIS: Francine Bechard Regional Centre in London, placed children through the Approved Family Home Program. It eventually changed as these children grew to adulthood and needed homes. Lorraine says the program is more of a partnership as families are never alone. “There is so much support. Barton-McMillan says they are always looking for respite families to assist the full-time families. The families which provide permanent homes to the adults as well as those who offer respite care grow together as a family as well, says Barton-McMillan. They provide each other with off time, gather for meetings and outings. The most important part of the program is matching the client with the family, says Barton-McMillan. “We do a home study and get to know the family really well. These are long-term arrangements. They come to love and care for each other.” You Can Make Difference HUNTINGTON DISEASE HUNTINGTON SOCIETY OF CANADA 1-800-998-7398