Nick’s TIPs for Transitioning into Adulthood
“The Independence Program gave me a taste of what it would be like to live away for three weeks. I learned how to budget my money, shop for food, meal prep and TTC skills,” – Nick.
For many of us answering the question ‘what do you want to be when you grow up’ can only be answered by taking chances and making plenty of mistakes along the way. Unfortunately, youth with disabilities often aren’t given the same opportunities to develop the skills needed to ease into adulthood and foster independence.
That’s why Holland Bloorview developed The Independence Program (TIP) – a unique program that is truly a game-changer for youth with disabilities. The program equips youth with the skills needed for adulthood by providing them with an opportunity to live away from home for three weeks in a collegedorm. During their stay, youth learn and practice skills like grocery shopping, budgeting, using public transit, and coordinating personal care. This real-world experience connects participants with youth mentors andcommunity-service providers and sparks meaningful friendships.
“Each individual joins the TIP program after identifying their own personal goals for participating,” explains Heather Keating, clinical operations manager of TIP. “It is our role as a team to meet them where they are at and facilitate learning that best meets their needs. Often clients leaving the program have learned more about themselves then they ever imagined and are eager for the new opportunities awaiting them.”
Heather adds that it’s also important that parents and caregivers are “prepared to embrace and support the new level of independence/interdependence their youth brings home with them.”
For Nick, a client of Holland Bloorview, TIP and other programs like Project SEARCH Toronto, helped him transition from school life to work life.
“My teachers and job coaches helped me on my journey of career exploration. They taught me the skills I needed to be a good employee,” shares Nick. TIP empowered Nick to develop professional relationships and implement daily routines that would help him prepare for a successful day at work.
“I like being on time and I make sure I build in extra time so I can be punctual. I am good at setting reminders on my phone to help me achieve this. When I have to wake up really early for a morning shift, I make sure I go to bed early.”
Before Nick heads into work, he makes sure to make a good breakfast. “I like to make egg and toast. I usemy cookie cutter to make a hole and put it into the pan and crack the egg. And then flip it!”
Nick’s advice to fellow clients transitioning into adulthood is to seek out new experiences: “The more you do something the better you’ll get at it. So start early and don’t be afraid.”
Nowadays Nick works two jobs, both of which cater to his love of food. He works both as dietary aid at a hospital and part-time at a grocery store. When he’s not working, Nick spends his time planning excursions, watching sports, and getting together with his friends.
Looking back at his time at Holland Bloorview, Nick says his favourite part about the hospital is the staff and community.
“My favourite part about coming to Holland Bloorview is that people really take the time to understand and listen to me. I feel like my feelings and opinions count. This is not always the case out there. Holland Bloorview is a very special place.”
