Global National spent a day with TIP participant Cyle as he prepared to head to college
Do you remember when you first moved out on your own? You were probably excited but perhaps a little nervous too. For youth with disabilities and medical complexity, taking this big step can go beyond nervous to overwhelming. Many of these young people, and their families, share that they don’t feel ready to handle the responsibilities of living on their own and managing aspects of their medical care.
The Independence Program (TIP) is a unique three-week residential immersive life skills program offered by Holland Bloorview for youth with disabilities ages 17 – 18 (up to 21 if still in high school). While living in a college dorm setting, participants, who are also current or former Holland Bloorview patients, participate in workshops and hands-on learning to strengthen independence skills and prepare for life as an adult including: budgeting/shopping for groceries, preparing meals, using public transit and learning to advocate for self and direct personal care.
Global National recently spent the day with TIP participant Cyle DaCosta, 18, (pictured above) who is heading to college in the fall to study broadcasting and communications. They spoke with the teenager, who lives with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy, on his hopes and dreams for the future. TIP program lead, Michelle Halliday, and registered nurse (RN) Nicholas Joachimides also shared what makes this longstanding program—one of only handful in the province with a multidisciplinary team of clinicians including a registered nurse, social worker, occupational therapists, and others—about what makes this program so special.
