Deafblind Services Society
of British Columbia

Lives of Meaning

Andy

Andy, now 21, receives daytime intervention services from Deafblind Services, and lives at home with his parents and sister.

Andy was born with Down Syndrome, a severe hearing loss and nystagmus. He wears corrective glasses to help with his very limited vision. While he is mute, Andy is adept at expressing himself through gestures and picture communication symbols, sign language, and a few written words.

Through the years, with the help of his committed family and intervenors, Andy has learned many skills to help him live a meangingful life as an integrated and contributing member of his community. Andy works 3 days a week at the Ridge Meadows recycling Centre, where he sorts various types of plastic containers into different bins. He has become very skilled at identifying the different types of plastic contaers he sorts, and takes his work very seriously. He has made some good friends at work, and is well liked by both his co-workers and employers.

Andy enjoys volunteering at the food bank as well as socializing Andy loves going bowling regularly with his dad and is on the Special Olympics bowling team. With his earnings from his job, Andy enjoys treating himself weekly to an A & W meal, and was the first Deafblind Services client to sign up as part of our monthly donor program. Andy is a wonderful example of a young man living with meaning in our community.