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Disability Supports
Brenda Lea Tully's Story
Like many people with disabilities, Brenda Lea Tully has become a highly skilled navigator in her efforts to find the disability-related supports she needs. Diagnosed in early childhood with progressive spinal cord muscular atrophy, Brenda Lea, along with her family, became acquainted early on with the complex and often multi-faceted approach to service delivery for persons with disabilities.
This spirited and highly articulate young woman describes the road to getting disability supports as both challenging and rewarding. In November 1999, Brenda Lea moved from her rural family home to an apartment in the city. This move did not come easily, as Brenda Lea faced another set of barriers in addressing her attendant care support needs at home and in the community.
Brenda Lea is currently employed as a resource worker in a summer program for children with disabilities. After graduation, she plans to obtain her Master of Social Work degree and work with chronically and terminally ill children in a hospital setting. Undoubtedly, her desire to use her skills and life experience in her future career will have a positive effect on others and will contribute to continued positive change for herself and her community.
Horst Peters' Story
Supportive services can make a tremendous difference in the quality of life and community involvement of people with mental illness. By the time he was 43 years old, Horst Peters had held 45 different jobs and had moved 25 times in search of a "brand new start." Performing as an amateur violinist, Horst found himself experiencing cycles of depression and panic, which grew in intensity and duration as time went on. In April 1990, he experienced a severe bout of depression, leading him to consider suicide as an alternative to the pain and turmoil.
With ongoing therapy and medication, Horst has been able to address the symptoms that once overwhelmed him and to regain a sense of control in his life. He has received support from the Canadian Mental Health Association, Salvation Army Crisis Services, a psychiatrist and nurse therapist, and most importantly, from his peers. Horst participated in training as a mental health worker and as a group facilitator in a program designed specifically for consumers of mental health services.
After 18 months working as a peer counsellor in a mental health respite shelter, Horst became coordinator of a provincial consumer empowerment program, where he has remained for more than two years. Horst has facilitated over 100 workshops, presenting a consumer perspective on the impact of mental illness and the potential for recovery. He remains active as a member of several boards and working groups, a consultant for service organizations, and is currently the chairperson of the regional Canadian Mental Health Association.
Horst attributes his success to the timely and effective supports he received and notes, "It's so gratifying to me to share the tools, insights and experiences I have to help people gain control of their lives." His perspective highlights the need for available and accessible supports to assist citizens with disabilities in achieving their goals and in contributing fully to the community.
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Brenda Lea requires an electric wheelchair, a speaking valve, a permanent tracheotomy for continuous oxygen flow, and a range of other accommodations to support daily living. She attends university and is nearing completion of a Bachelor of Arts and Science degree. She receives support from an adult services vocational rehabilitation counsellor, from campus disability services and from a federal government Canada Study Grant.
