Dear Editor:
We are supported by Community Living Guelph Wellington (CLGW). We are pleased to inform you we have been married since 2007.
We have been supported by CLGW since 2001. We have enjoyed being involved in activities organized by CLGW staff, such as barbecues, Christmas parties, out of town excursions, etc. These activities made us feel part of something, camaraderie and sense of belonging.
In the past few years CLGW has taken these events away from us and many others. We are encouraged to participate in these activities in the community. There are still many people that see a disability as not equal. We have not felt welcomed to participate in fear we will feel judged and uncomfortable. This was a change we did not have a say in.
Once again CLGW is making changes, shutting down day programs without asking the people supported what they want. People supported are not feeling heard or valued. We have known two other executive directors that have been able to run CLGW within budget and not be in such a financial crisis.
We are encouraging more transparency from CLGW. We would like to see how the budget for this year has been spent. How did the agency get so far in the hole? And who is being held responsible?
Community Living wants us to be part of the community. However, by cutting supports we feel we are on the path to being at home in our apartment more and more. Soon they may as well lock us up and throw away the key.
Dan and Kelly Jamieson,
Wellington County