By Adam Brazeau
CORNWALL, Ontario – After 32 years, Jeff Wright finally has a place to call home and a family to share it with.
Wright was welcomed into the Bojarski family as part of the Open Hands’ Home Share program. The 48-year-old was diagnosed with Down syndrome at an early age and has lived in a group residence since his teens.
“He makes you appreciate the little things in life, ‘cause he does, and he let’s you know,” said Beverly Bojarski.
Open Hands is looking for more community members to open their doors.
The Cornwall-based government-funded organization is a division of Ottawa- Carleton Association for Persons with Developmental Disabilities (OCAPDD). It specializes in housing and residential care for people with intellectual disabilities.
Andrew Kennedy, program manager for both SIL (Supported Independent Living) and Home Share, said there are at least half a dozen matches waiting to be made.
“If we could get more people to fit into a loving family it would be a win-win situation for everybody,” added Kennedy.
Joseph Geneau, a quality assurance manager with Open Hands, is working with Kennedy to build the program into a solid support system that integrates people with disabilities into the community.
Before any individual is paired up, there’s a nearly four-month process to make sure that the home share provider understands their role. A potential match has their background, references, and medical history checked as well as fire and safety issues at the house.
“That’s the thing, it’s finding the people who have the qualities the Bojarskis have,” said Geneau. “Because we need people who are dedicated to improving the life of another person.”
Since Oct. 2014 the program’s first match has been inseparable.
“He became family,” said Beverly.
Meanwhile, Wright hung on her every word.
His sister resides in Ottawa and was involved in the selection process.
Open Hands-operated group homes range from three individuals that live together up to eight in some of the settings.
“That’s the importance of getting people into a home share environment – so that they don’t have to base their whole lifestyle on their peers that live in the home,” said Kennedy.
Wright still partakes in the activities hosted by Open Hands through various programs, including movies, bingo, swimming, gymnastics, and even a pub night (with root beer).
“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for him,” said Daisy Miklos, a counsellor who has been working with Jeff for about 12 years.
She described Wright as funny, charming, and generous.
For more information, e-mail akennedy@open-hands.ca or call (613) 933-0012.
