My life is different because my disability and me were misunderstood. It is as though people think because I can talk well, so I should be able to do the job without much supervision and instruction. That is where they were wrong! I needed to be taught in a way that I could have understood, which means being shown how to do it. Then having them actually watch while I performed my task.

Other adults go on to College full of confidence about their future. Me, it would take forever just to grasp the ideas of what was being taught. It has taken me years to understand what I have already learned.

When my mom brought up the idea of getting support, she explained they would help me with my showering and other things like that. My response was, "I DON'T NEED THIS AND I'LL LIVE MY LIFE THE WAY I WANT TO!" We never discussed it again.

One day I decided that I needed counseling help. I talked to E.C.H.O Society about it. They gave me an application to fill out and to bring back. They informed me that they don't do therapeutic counselling. At the time there was no funding for me so I was on the outreach program at E.C.H.O. Society.

In November 1996 my doctor decided that I would go and live in Morinville in an approved home set up by Social Services, because my mom and I could not live together in the same house.

I lived in Morinville with an older man, his wife and their son as well as a man in his early 60's. I was treated as a person who could not do things for myself. I had a curfew, no house key and no friends. I would sit around in my p.j's, and not get dressed or shower for days. Some days I was so bored that all I would do is sit around and watch T.V. I even tried to learn French but it was too hard.

I tried to get counseling at the FCSS in Morinville but they wouldn't help me because I didn't know how long I was going to be there. My landlady told me whenever I was upset that I was not allowed to call home. We would have timed fire drills. We had to walk to town because she didn't drive. I did go to church.

In March 1997 I WENT HOME! Once I was home things were good for a while until my mom and I started to disagree big time. I stopped showering. I had no job. I ate only one meal a day and most of it was junk food. All I did was watch T.V. and sleep. The only thing I looked forward to was Skyline Social Club and Life Skills twice a week and craft classes. I became deeply depressed. I tried all the agencies I could for counseling. Then I just quit going and I wanted to deal with it on my own.

Once I was diagnosed with Borderline Development Disability it was a relief to know that there was a NAME. All my life I was called a slow learner.

My school years were difference because I could talk well. The teachers didn't have time to teach one slow learner as they had other students to teach. So, I pushed through school, only repeating one grade.

I was put into a special education class because I was a struggling student who didn't understand the subjects being taught. People misunderstood me because I could read and write. Following verbal or written directions given to me were hard for me to understand because I didn't always comprehend what was being said. Reading something didn't necessarily mean that one understood what was being read.

In high school I did better from grade 10 to grade 12 because I wanted to get out and start a life of my own. School was not my favorite place to be but that is not why I failed at it. School was a BIG challenge but I did receive a High School Diploma.

E.C.H.O. now had the money they needed to help me to become the person I wanted to be. They helped me find 2 roommates and move into the first 24 hour residence in Whitecourt. I got a job as a janitor in the building that I was living in. I returned to Life Skills and craft classes and Club meetings.

I now work Monday to Friday for 5 hours a day washing dishes, mopping and preparing veggies for a restaurant. My boss says that I am not allowed to quit. He calls me in when he needs extra help, and gives me time off when I need it.

I now have a new home with one roommate, a lot of freedom to come and go as I please and support when I need it. This means I have come a long way over the past 5 years that I have been with this organization.

I am vice-president of Skyline Social Club. I am also on the fund raising and activities committees of the Club. I am also President of the Whitecourt Community Council as well as being on the Sub Committee for getting a handi-bus for Whitecourt. In May 2003, I was selected to be a Delegate to the group planning the Alberta Self Advocates Summit, a huge conference being planned by Self-Advocates for Self Advocates.

If it wasn't for the support E.C.H.O. gives me I would be fired from jobs, trying on my own to support myself or moving back in with my mom. E.C.H.O. and the staff have given me self-confidence, self-esteem and have helped me learn my rights as an employee, but most of rights as a human being. If it wasn't for this organization, I would be the happy, healthy, goal-oriented person that I have become today.

E.C.H.O. is a Gift from above. I don't know how else to explain it.

I am looking into attending college or doing some courses through Pembina Educational Consortium.

I have learned to look forward instead of backwards. My future looks so much brighter. Thanks to E.C.H.O. there is alight at the end of the tunnel. My life will only get better and brighter with E.C.H.O.'s continued support.