kathy_mac

Kathy was born on January 30th, 1956 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. For four days my parents were not able to see Kathy, nor
were they told that anything was wrong with Kathy. I, Sandra was born 18 months later. Kathy was still not walking. My
parents knew something was obviously wrong with Kathy, but no doctor would say. Eight months later, I was walking,
Kathy was sitting up. My mother kept us together in our play pin so that Kathy would be encouraged to walk. Soon after
she did start.

Eight years later, when living in Toronto, my parents were running out of solutions for Kathy at home. The Toronto
Hospital for Sick Kids, told my parents the only place for Kathy was Orillia's Huronia Regional Centre. Reluctantly my
parents had to make a very painful decision, a decision they knew in their hearts was best for Kathy. When Kathy
arrived at Orillia, she was assessed. For the first time, my parents had answers. H.R.C. Investigated and tested Kathy.
My parents heard for the first time that Kathy was without oxygen for 2 minutes after birth. Additionally, her umbilical
cord was tightly around her head, causing severe damage to both sides of her brain. Kathy has the mental capacity of a
two year old at best. She cannot talk, cannot dress by herself and has no concept of danger. Not too mention she is
very strong and determined. When she wants to go somewhere she wants to go.

Six weeks after having Kathy at HRC, our family eagerly to see her drove to Orillia. We were frantic that she would be
unhappy and miserable as we were from missing her so much. But amazingly enough, when we got there, we saw her
outside in a large playground playing with other residents, smiling, she was happy and free. Something she was not
able to do at home. She was safe playing outside and for the first time had friends that would play with her. We were
all so relieved. My mother took a picture of her that day and put it into her Cu rial cabinet in the living room so to
always remind her that they had made the right decision.

Throughout the years, Kathy has enjoyed picnics, barbques, birthday parties, Santa clause parades, the summer
festival, camping, bowling, going out to get her haircut. Kathy loves to go to the beach, play in the water, ride on the
swings, go to the pool and take walks with the staff and friends. She has enjoyed so many programs that she has
attended through the years.

She loves her home at HRC, where her bed is piled with stuffed toys. She loves her rocking chair in their 40 by 40 foot
living room and she loves to watch the staff cook her meals.

Kathy is now turning 48. She has a serious bowel condition that requires constant daily monitoring, special diet, and
exercise. Should her condition flare up, she has a very small window of time to survive. The Huronia staff have been
absolutely instrumental in her survival and quick recovery. One key item to Kathy's survival is stability in her life,
surroundings, routine, diet and overall well-being. Kathy is easily disturbed from changes. During the last move due
to downsizing by the government, HRC staff made sure that Kathy had the same roomates and staff. Kathy still took time
to adjust, but she is now so very happy and loves her home and caretakers.

Every time that Kathy has been rushed to the hospital, she is accompanied by one of the HRC caretakers. They are with
Kathy 24 x 7 when she is in the hospital. The staff are very caring and know Kathy so well that when they saw Kathy in
the hospital was missing her favourite stuff toy ducky, Kathy's caretaker on her time off took the time to go back to the
centre, pickup her stuffed toys, including her favourite ducky back to the hospital. When my mother cannot make it up
to the hospital, the HRC staff called her several times through the day to give her an update. Not to mention that the
hospital in Orillia has had 50 plus years in dealing with the developmentally disabled with multiple handicaps. The staff
at HRC are so personable to Kathy, that the staff noticed something not quite right with Kathy’s facial expression, that
they called her mother, so Kathy can hear her voice and be instantly cheered. Huronia Regional Centre staff, was able
to save Kathy’s life several times through, dedication, observation that just does not exist in the community living.
Kathy would surely be dead if she were presently in community living. Her condition requires, constant and diligent
observation, as she has a very small window to get to the hospital, should her condition be activated. Any move would
seriously upset Kathy. Her bowel condition would definitely flare up and I absolutely shutter at the thought of her
suffering without the comfort of her caretakers who she knows and trusts. You see when Kathy is in the hospital
without the caretakers she is terrified and extremely difficult to handle.