Love and Acceptance for All
“When I began my journey 32 years ago of raising a child with Down syndrome there were questions and stares, anxiety and fear,” says Marietta. “My daughter, Mary Jane, blossomed under those who loved her, and deteriorated under those who tolerated her.
“Her support varied from location to location. It usually involved therapists and special educators whose goals were to develop motor skills, language, social skills and self-help skills.
“Today, thanks to The Salvation Army, Mary Jane’s successes go far beyond anything we could have imagined. Through its Community Venture Services in Winnipeg, which maximizes potential in individuals living with intellectual disabilities, her days are filled with excitement, productivity and great satisfaction.”
Celebrating Success
Offering tea and coffee to residents at a nursing home makes Mary Jane happy and gives her a sense of purpose; learning how to bake and read a recipe gives her independence; sorting and displaying clothes at a Thrift Store gives her confidence through positive feedback. “Sometimes we have interesting clothes that come home,” Marietta chuckles.
“The Salvation Army recognizes that each child with Down syndrome has his or her own talents and reinforces them,” says Marietta. Mary Jane loves to sing, dance and dress up, and performs in the annual Community Venture Idol contest. She proudly calls herself a diva and feels like a queen.
Last Christmas, the Community Ventures staff learned that Mary Jane liked to play piano. Unbeknownst to Marietta, they taught Mary Jane to play Silent Night. “Tears flowed down my face when she got off the stage, looked at me with a smile and said ‘I did it.’”
“It is priceless what this program has done for her,” says Marietta. “Waiting for your child to talk to you can be exasperating. Teaching Mary Jane words and sentences has stimulated her will to communicate and be understood. Story telling has given her increased time to listen and process what’s being said. She has learned to abide by rules such as storing her phone in her locker. Computer training has taught her to persevere and overcome obstacles. Now she wants an iPad!”
Value, Acceptance and Inclusion
“As a parent my job is to love Mary Jane and help her reach her potential. The Salvation Army is helping make that happen.
“When you see that other people care about your child as deeply as you do, it means a lot.”
