To Janis, her friendships are very important. She met her best friend Sylvia (and her worker Thelma) in 1995 at the Special Olympics. They enjoy walking and talking and sharing time together. Janis met her new guy, Merle S. at the Hitching Post in June of 2003. They are planning to get married in summer of 2004. Of course her best friend Sylvia will be at her side as a brides maid.

Janis was born at a hospital in Edmonton in 1970. As a child her family moved around and she went to school in Edmonton, Penticton B.C., Oliver B.C., and Kelowna B.C. She graduated in 1990 but still takes courses, upgrading at the Westlock Library.

Janis started to go Pembina Bible camp in 1990 and still goes there every summer. She met the people at W.I.N. (Westlock Independence Network) in 1992.

Janis moved out on her on in November of 2003. Carole and Elaine are staff that come to visit to help her get groceries, pay bills and stay over-night to help her get ready for work in the morning.

Janis enjoys bowling, floor hockey (coaching), going bike riding, walking with friends, her boyfriend and family. This year Janis will celebrate Christmas with her mom in Calmar, but next year is planning a trip to Mission B.C. to be with her Dad for Christmas.

Janis works at IGA once a week and at the lunch cart that delivers food to businesses. She also checks the water meters. She volunteers at the Auxillary Hospital in Westlock, AB where she waters plants and shreds paper. Janis is hoping to get more regular hours at IGA.

She attended the PDD conference last year and this year and hopes to come back next year.

2005 Update

Janis and Sylvia shared a birthday party on April 14, 2004.

Janis met a guy at the Hitching Post in June 2003. She broke up with her boyfriend in September 2004. She went to her mom’s place in Alberta in October 2004.

Janis says she is looking for the right guy to fall in love again. Age between 35 and 66 years old, 5 feet 8 inches, and weight 150 – 170 pounds. She met a new guy on Nov 5, 2004. They gave each other their addresses.