Community Living

Brian Robertson | May 17, 2023

Community Living’s Dean Walsh and his dedicated team of employees are to be congratulated on their Shine a Light Campaign and their inclusive message that people with disabilities have the same desires as all of us. A case in point is David Yerxa, a disabled person living independently with his wife, Ann Bertrim, also disabled, thanks to the CL-NF programme, “Supported Independent Living”. Proud and successful in managing their own household, David and Ann have been able to develop well organized routines and approaches to living that work for them. And with CL-NF’s Passport Funding service, David can hire drivers to transport him to his many destinations of work and play, allowing him full engagement with his community which heartily welcomes his presence and his varied initiatives. Poised to do yet another swim-a-thon of thirty lengths in the Perth Pool (with proceeds going to the Sharbot Lake and Perth Food Banks), David had an unfortunate fall that resulted in a trip to the Perth Hospital. Unperturbed, David immediately cancelled and rescheduled his swim for “a few weeks down the road”. Talk about inspirational grit and determination! Happy Community Living Month, everyone!

Brian Robertson