Brad

December 2009

Someone invited me into You’ve Gotta Have Friends and I was looking for new friends.  I had a lot of friends in Aldergrove but I lost touch with them after moving to Langley.  I am physically limited because I use a scooter to get around.  I wanted to establish a circle of friends here.  When I first came in I felt warm.  Everyone warmed up to me and then I brought Mary and everyone warmed up to her.  Now we have a spot to hang out instead of sitting at home.

Getting to know new friends, having them over for coffee has been good for me.  Janice treats me like a Christian mother – she’s always there when I need her.  Janice has attended several meetings with my group home to discuss my living arrangements with my workers.  Janice put on a big Christmas party for me last year and no one has ever done anything like that for me before.  That really lifted me up from being down.  It took the whole Christmas season to a level that carried right through the month.  This year my girlfriend and I will do the Christmas party ourselves.  I feel they are letting me “do my own thing” more and I feel more independence.  I have more people in my life and I have an opport6unity to socialize more with people in the office.  If I have a problem I can talk to Janice or Pat ad I know they will help.

I personally feel part of You’ve Gotta Have Friends.  I was abused, I felt hurt, I hated my life.  Now I have new friends, a support group and I feel happy and wanted.  I get a great welcome when I come in the door, I feel like I’m welcomed with open arms.

I really enjoy going to the dances…they’re the best!

I would like to be involved in organizing and planning activities.  I want to be a helper and to contribute.  You’ve Gotta Have Friends has been a big part of my life for the past three years.  I want to contribute here and be useful.