Success Stories

“In the 1970s I was a physiotherapist at the Glenrose. Many families I worked with then were involved with Gateway Association.

In 1985, when my son Adam was born, it was difficult to get information, resources and medication. Everything was outdated and I did not receive much help.

I contacted Gateway to get help because I wanted answers. I talked to many different people.

My husband Brian eventually became the secretary on the board alongside some cornerstone members of the association.

I went from being able to help others as a physiotherapist, to getting help from Gateway as a parent. The meaning of the word “Gateway” is an open door, going from a closed space to showing the path.

There were many concerned families that were struggling with the realities of life, but they came together to help each other.

In 1986, I felt the incentive to try and push others toward supporting families. Gateway provided a strong foundation.

Gateway members have been facilitators. They have built community capacity for families. Family support is a key element of the organization.

I went from being able to help others as a physiotherapist, to getting help from Gateway as a parent. The meaning of the word “Gateway” is an open door, going from a closed space to showing the path.

Through Gateway people experience similar challenges and connect to other families on the same journey. You need other families for support at one time or another in life.”

“In the 1990’s and 2000’s the world was frustrating and slow. The government denied my son funding for education after high school. PDD was in turmoil and drastically underfunded. I was scrambling to assist my son in finding a meaningful and full life as an adult.

It was scary and confusing. There was no acceptance from the government, no employment. My son was angry. I was facing budgetary and family pressures.

In efforts for him to become independent my son went to a group home. It was not a good experience. He, we, suffered greatly.

In keeping with our desire for a good life for him, we purchased him an apartment of his own. He has been living there on his own since 2004.

When I was grasping at straws, one of the straws I pulled out was Gateway – as an option; as an opportunity.

Gateway Association helped with our appeal for proper supports from PDD for independent living in his own home. The government denied that too. Gateway was a big support. I wanted to advocate stronger and harder after the government’s denials. Eventually our request for proper supports was accepted but only after too much hardship and unnecessary stress.
I couldn’t have done a lot of that on my own.

When I was grasping at straws, one of the straws I pulled out was Gateway – as an option; as an opportunity.

Through Gateway I met others who had similar concerns and aspirations. There was emotional support and Gateway gave me concrete ideas. Gateway provided avenues for advocacy and sharing. It was such a positive experience. It was wonderful to be able to share things with other families.

My advice to other parents: Don’t take “no” for an answer.”

In the early 1980s we were referred to the GRIT program. That is when I learned about Gateway and the family support meetings.

We still maintain contact with the parents through Gateway and they were always very supportive of us.

At that time, the concept of integration was new. Parents had to be strong advocates. It was different when I was growing up. I didn’t see people with disabilities out in the community.

I didn’t feel alone as a parent because there were others in the same boat. Parents supported parents.

Gateway helped build a strong, solid foundation of support and information.

There was a lot of learning in terms of listening to other parents’ experiences, emotional ups and downs, and growth. It helped reassure us that we weren’t the only ones having those feelings.

We still maintain contact with the parents through Gateway and they were always very supportive of us.

Gateway was successful in getting public schools to fund GRIT and we started seeing more children with disabilities in communities and in schools.

The world wasn’t ready but had to become ready.

It was quite positive. All the people at Gateway were and still are a very positive group. They have to be to motivate and inspire parents.

Never give up on a child. There are always ways to cope with challenges.

We were touched with the idea that everyone needs to belong because we were accepted when no one else would accept us. It had a trickle effect on our relationships and on our world entire.