Hope's Journey of Resilience, Recovery and Redesign
During a visit to CONNECT Communities in Lake Country, we had the pleasure of meeting Hope, a woman whose name perfectly reflects her journey.
Hope has lived at CONNECT for a year and eight months. Since her arrival in 2022, she has made remarkable strides in her health and rehabilitation. Now, she resides in the transition home, a 3-bedroom house next door to CONNECT. Here she stays on her own, preparing for her life after she leaves CONNECT.
Before arriving at CONNECT, Hope faced significant challenges, including homelessness and addiction. These hardships led to a stroke in 2022, which left in a coma and non-verbal. She spent three months in Kelowna Hospital before learning about CONNECT. Despite feeling nervous upon her arrival, Hope was welcomed with friendly faces and voices, quickly making CONNECT feel like home. Here, she found a safe space with her own room and a coaching team to help her on her road to redesign.
Life at CONNECT Lake Country
CONNECT Lake Country offers a supportive environment for people after brain injury or stroke, with its 42-bedroom, 6-home condo-style residence. Hope appreciates the kindness of the coaches and the various activities available. During her time at CONNECT, she found a new love for paddleboarding, kayaking, and hiking, with Spion Kop being her favorite trail in Lake Country. Art is another passion of Hope's and she attends art classes every Wednesday at a nearby center. Additionally, she has learned many practical life skills and currently participates in budgeting meetings to prepare for her transition to community.
CONNECT’S Life Redesign Model
CONNECT’s Life Redesign Model was deemed Leading Practice by Accreditation Canada. This model promotes personal accountability for those receiving support, focusing on a collaborative "doing-with" rather than a "doing-for" approach. A full healthcare team provides support and coaching to help individuals achieve their personal goals. The Life Redesign Model empowers people after brain injury and stroke at CONNECT to live a life that is fulfilling and meaningful to them.
When Hope first moved to CONNECT, her primary goal was to regain her ability to speak. She recalls the frustration of understanding conversations but being unable to participate due to her speech loss. Today, Hope has fully regained her speech and is now focused on new goals. She is actively seeking employment, and her long-term aspiration is to own her own apartment.
Hope wants to work in a café as a barista, and Work BC is assisting her with the recruitment process. To gain experience, she started an initiative called Lattes in CONNECT, where she serves lattes to the people we support and the coaches every Monday. Hope manages the sourcing of ingredients, offering flavors like vanilla, caramel, salted caramel, and mocha. Her favorite part of this initiative is the social interaction; she loves engaging with people and bringing smiles to their faces.
Hope's Journey Beyond CONNECT: Embracing the Next Chapter
As Hope prepares to leave CONNECT, she feels a mix of excitement and nervousness. Reflecting on her journey, she is proud of her progress and grateful for the support she has received. Hope describes CONNECT as a unique and caring place filled with opportunities, and she looks forward to the next chapter of her life.