Tammy Doughty

541 Days Road, Kingston, ON K7M3R8, CA

The Reclamation Project: The Value of Living Life at the Helm

Stories of life in an institution and the voices that closed them

Tammy Doughty

I went to live at Rideau Regional Centre when I was 4 years old. I liked it there. I had lots of friends, did exercises, and watched TV. I went to school there and learned to read and write. It was fun and I liked living there.

When I was 17, I moved to a ward at Prince Edward Heights (PEH). I shared a room with 3 other people who were also in wheelchairs. I had my own possessions but they were mostly locked in my closet. Any time I wanted anything I would ask the staff and they would help me to get it. In my spare time, I would sit in the activity room. There were about 20 other people in there with me and we would watch TV, or do crafts and colouring. During the day I would go to an educational program where I learned stories. Staff would take me for walks and I would go to church on Sundays. Sometimes I would go to the canteen to buy treats.

There were big washrooms on the ward that I shared with everyone else. I would be assisted by mechanical lifts into a big tub. I didn’t have any privacy during my baths because there were no doors, and people would come and go.

I had some friends and I had a boyfriend named Pat. I liked living at PEH.

I left PEH and moved into a supported home in the town of Picton. I lived with several other adults who were also in wheelchairs. I shared a bedroom with one other person. I liked it here, too.

Now I live in a supported home in Belleville with 5 other people. Here I have my own bedroom, which I never had before. I have the ability to make lots of choices here. I often watch my own TV in my bedroom, or I hang out in the living room watching TV. I also like to spend time on my tablet on Facebook or playing games. In the summer, I like to go camping at Grippen Lake where we go boating, swimming, and fishing. The cabins are cool.

My boyfriend Joe lives in his own apartment in the basement of my house, and he spends his evenings upstairs watching TV with me. Sometimes we go out on a date for dinner or a movie.

During the day, I attend an adult educational program called Connections, with many other people who are supported by Pathways to Independence. I do a variety of activities here. I worked at the bakery until it closed down.

My favourite place to live was PEH. I liked the social aspect of being with many people. Right now I am not very happy in my home because I am having trouble getting along with one of my housemates. But I like having my own room.

I really miss a lot of my old friends from PEH, and would love to see them again.