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Happy Life

A person with shoulder-length hair and glasses smiles while wearing a floral-patterned top, embodying the spirit of DiversAbility advocacy. The background is a plain, dark curtain.

By Cathy Hogewoning

 

A person with shoulder-length hair and glasses smiles while wearing a floral-patterned top, embodying the spirit of DiversAbility advocacy. The background is a plain, dark curtain.My name is Cathy and I’d like to tell you about myself. I am forty-four years old and I live in a group home in Fraser Heights.

I’ll start by sharing some of the things I do. Every Monday I go to a Circle Group in Abbotsford with my friends. I attend a Day Program on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I like going to the Chuck Bailey Recreation Centre to listen to music with my day program’s peers and staff.

Twice a month on Tuesdays and Thursdays I participate in many activities at the program such as swimming, bowling, and playing mini golf. We explore many places such as the Surrey Museum, different parks, Grouse Mountain and we also go on seabus outings.

I like to go on the sky train and on the seabus. But I do get anxious sometimes when my ride is late.

When this happens, the staff helps me to do deep breathing exercises. I planned a seabus trip in March with my day program staff. I was excited for that trip.

I really enjoy being busy doing arts and crafts at the program. I like socializing with my friends and helping them when they need help. On Fridays I go for a long walk and I also go to Tim Hortons with my group home friends.

On Saturdays I stay home, and sometimes I go for short walks. Then on Sundays, I go to church with my dad, and I also stay overnight with my family.

I am a healthy lady. I need help in the morning to get ready. I also get help from my staff with managing money. The staff from the group home also shop for me.

I like remembering birthdays. Remembering my family’s and friends’ birthdays is very easy for me. The way I spend my time with my friends at home is watching TV and playing board games.

I like to go on vacations. I’ve got something exciting planned. I am going to go to my sister’s wedding in Tofino this September, 2024. I am very excited about that.

As you can see, I live a full and happy life.

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