by Terry Slama, South Richmond Home

My name is Terry. I am thirty-four years old and ready to share my story to help others come out of the shadows. I recently moved to Bethesda’s South Richmond home from Kelowna. Making the move was not easy for me. I was scared, but I know big moves like this are scary for most people. The staff who work with me at my home are very nice and they make me laugh. Bethesda hires some of the best people. They ask me questions and they also listen to my ideas on how to make my care better. But in reality, no home is perfect, so what I mean to say is, I am happy. I feel at home here at South Richmond and I have my own space. My name is even on the answering machine message!

I have Cerebral Palsy from a brain injury I got when I was born. Growing up, my Mother and Father cared for me at home. I’ve had doctors, nurses and numerous therapists helping me as well. But now I’m living on my own as an adult in the South Richmond home. I am living my life every day and am grateful to God for it. I think people should be grateful to God.

I got inspired to come forward with my story after I saw the video of Chantal Huinink speaking to Self-Advocates at Bethesda. Like me, Chantal has Cerebral Palsy. She was honest as she talked about what it was like for her growing up and that she didn’t let things stop her from doing the things she wanted. Listening to her tell her story, and how it made me feel, I felt like people have to know my story. And that’s why I am sharing it. 

Chantal Huinink works at Christian Horizons in Ontario and is a highly inspirational Self-Advocate. You can find her blog where she describes her visit in September to Vedder Terrace at:

Story about Self-Advocates

Chantal Huinink, a Self-Advocate from Christian Horizons in Ontario, traveled to Bethesda in September and while she was here she spoke to a group of Self-Advocates at a luncheon meeting.