Harmony

      Ever since our daughter was old enough to put it into words and action she has been doing one thing: saving her money. First she was saving for a purple Mini Cooper and then when epilepsy made driving impossible, she kept working hard and is now saving for a home, saving for her future. Our daughter has an intellectual disability which means that she would need to live in a very special place; a place that was affordable, accessible and supportive. A place like Harmony.

     Unless you have a relative with a disability you probably do not realize how lucky we are to live in Surrey. Here we are fortunate enough to have UNITI. According to the website:

 "UNITI is the partnership of the three affiliated societies that have provided important community services for decades. Semiahmoo House Society provides quality services and supports to people with disabilities and their families in Surrey and White Rock. Peninsula Estates Housing Society provides affordable and inclusive housing that reflects the diversity of our community. The Semiahmoo Foundation ensures that UNITI has the recognition, relationships and resources to support an inclusive community." This combination of these three vital organizations in our community makes us unique. 

     Since she is now an adult, our daughter realizes that she will not always live with us, her parents. We are already older than most of her peers' parents so time is important. Every day is an opportunity for our daughter to add to her skill set and knowledge base in order to become more independent. Disabled folks like her have the right to live independently in a community that lifts them up and supports them. And as their literature explains, Harmony is a 91 rental home, 6-storey inclusive building which will be affordable and inclusive housing for the life of the building. It will house families, seniors, people with disabilities and others. 

     If you want to help, this is what you can do:

1. Please email Surrey City Planner Christa Brown at Christa.Brown@surrey.ca  2. Follow us on @uniti4all on social media for updates. #3. Sign the petition. #WeNeedHarmony. Our daughter is counting on you!

Life 2

     It feels trite and silly to be posting photographs of cabbage recipes and bearded irises when three thousand miles away family members are mourning the loss of their daughter, granddaughter, cousin and niece. But that's what I am doing. It feels pointless and even reckless to be shopping for groceries when even little ones are now losing their life to COVID. But that's what I am doing. It feels sad and selfish to attend video taped church services when so many feel hopeless. But that's what I am doing. It feels like a waste of time to have a zoom meeting about our RESP when our younger daughter is so full of anxiety and dread. But that's what I am doing. It feels ridiculous to write about resilience and strength when our daughters are worried and scared. But that's what I am doing. I am working and sleeping and cooking and cleaning and driving and walking and sitting and watching and singing and praying and sewing and weeding and raking and talking and listening and fetching and thinking and feeling and living every day. Because that's what you do.