Re: Turning 18 means end of dream for Joe Chauvin, by Sharon Hill, March 18.
Joe is a special needs teenager. Actually, he is just special!
I work for Joe a couple of mornings a week. Joe cannot see, nor walk, nor speak.
He cannot even pick something up. Yet, he is happier than most people I know.
Joe smiles and openly laughs. He frowns and moans, too. He communicates.
I am convinced that Joe’s happiness simply comes from being with mom and dad his brother and two sisters. The meaning of a happy life is love and family, is it not?
Well, Joe was blessed to have family and to reside at home with them.
Then his 18th birthday arrives. This is a time one would look forward to. In Joe’s case, however, his funding has ceased just because he is now 18 years old.
Did he miraculously become independent? Does he now not need care? Of course not!
Our government has decided, with a closed heart, to pull his funding. Through all of this, his family had an open house to celebrate Joe’s 18th!
This young man humbles me. Thank you, Joe, for being you! Despite everything, happy birthday, Joe.
COLLEEN CAMPBELL, Stoney Point, Ont.
