Take a look at the picture below. What do you see? An expanse of grey clouds? A big machine? The demolition of a house? I see all of those things but most importantly for me, this pictures symbolizes the end of an era.
Forty-odd years ago when it was built, the building in the picture was one in a cluster of low units called High Point. They were connected to a center core by wide covered sidewalks, and each pod in this brand new facility had several home-like bedrooms and bathrooms. The central building housed the kitchen, dining room, and a large activity room.
This was the beginning of a very progressive time for those with intellectual disabilities and High Point was a giant step away from large, hospital-like institutions where many people with those kinds of challenges had lived. The only problem with High Point was that it stood all alone in a large field and the only close neighbour was a facility for those with heavy physical needs. It was a progressive building and concept, but completely cut off from the larger community. Continue reading “And the Walls Came Tumbling Down.”
We’re deep into autumn now, so I’m going to throw out a little-known fact for all you Americans. Up here in the wilds of Canada, we celebrate Thanksgiving in October, and it’s not because we don’t know how to read a calendar.