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 Centre for Addictionand Mental Health |
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Your Gifts: Helping meet complex needs
When the temperature dropped and the snowstorm began, addiction therapist David Law wasn't surprised when many of the members
of Getting Started, his weekly therapy group at CAMH, began to call to say they couldn't get there. The last person David
expected to see was Aaron Shelbourne, who was scheduled to attend the group for the first time. Aaron has cerebral palsy. He communicates using alternative and augmentative communication, and uses TTC, Wheeltrans and his wheelchair to travel within Toronto. Imagine David's surprise when he looked out the window to see Aaron and his care facilitator pushing through the deep snow,
making the long, six-block journey from the bus stop to CAMH's Brentcliffe Road site. Even though Wheeltrans was unavailable,
Aaron had insisted on making the journey on the subway and regular low-floored buses. He had waited too long and worked too
hard to get into the program to miss his first session. Aaron began drinking at 16, and continued until it began to get out of control about five years ago. Drinking helped to control spasms, he says, and helped him to block out traumatic events from his past. When his attempts to quit on his own were unsuccessful, Aaron set out to find professional help. He wanted to attend withdrawal
management and the 21-Day/Residential Program at CAMH, but CAMH staff were concerned that they wouldn't be able to meet his
complex needs. Once they met Aaron, however, they began to share his commitment. Together with Aaron they began a long process
of learning, discussions and negotiations with other agencies about funding for care facilitators and making environmental
accommodations to meet his needs. Aaron sometimes grew frustrated and angry about the "red tape," but he never gave up. It
took 16 months, but everything finally came together and Aaron entered the residential care program. Today Aaron has been sober for almost five months. He has never felt better, and he is tremendously He has also become an advocate. "There is a higher rate of substance use among people with disabilities," he says. "I'd really like to use my experiences to help people access the services they need."
"Aaron was an inspiration-more than he knows-to the other clients." CAMH's 21-Day/Residential Program helps clients to learn lifestyle changes. The focus is on using a variety of disciplines
to treat the whole person, rather than just the problem of substance use.
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Last updated: Dec 11, 2005 7:04 PM Published: Jul 01, 2011 5:30 AM ID#P16561 |