2021

It was in the 1980’s when I first heard about Wesway. A wonderful worker, Angela, arranged respite for my brother and sister-in-law. My nephew, who has physical and medical challenges, could engage in sports and develop friendships while his parents had a break to recharge their batteries.

Twenty-five years later, Parkinson’s Disease began to rob my mom of her ability to care for herself. As my family struggled to help her live in her own home, Angela again provided Wesway respite the way we wanted it. We met Lori, who became Mom’s Respite Worker. They chatted, looked at old family photos, and bird watched out the windows. My father was then able to recharge and socialize. My mom also stayed at the Wesway Respite Home while her own home underwent renovations. Here she met person-centred staff and my mom enjoyed the pleasant home-like atmosphere.

And now, forty years later, Wesway is again part of our family. Wesway is helping my husband and I to support my father in his quest to live at home, on his own terms, as
comfort, hearing, memory, mobility, and vision fail. Now it is with the assistance of Suzanne, a woman who I know knows no barriers. Suzanne doesn’t say “We can’t do
that”; she says, “We can find a way to do that” and does.

When my husband and I had the opportunity to vacation in Central America, my dad was welcomed at the Respite Home. Suzanne also connected Dad to Respite Worker Jeanne. Imagine their delight when they realized that he had crossed paths with Jeanne’s great uncle in his younger years! COVID-19 has certainly presented its challenges, yet Jeanne and my dad have continued to spend pleasant afternoons talking about current events and days past, playing games and nature watching.

Wesway provides quality support to people when they need it most, asking nothing in return. Wesway has helped me and my loved ones cope, persevere against adversity, and care for one another in a way most appreciated.