Christy

January 2010

I was introduced to You’ve Gotta Have Friends by Steven Chappel’s caregiver, June Puttuck, a year and a half ago.  Steven had been coming to Y.G.H.F. events and she brought me in and encouraged me.  My expectation was that I would meet new people.  I wanted to be busier and do more things.

Since coming to Y.G.H.F. I feel happier.  I look forward to coming here and socializing with friends.  I have made new connections and have enjoyed participating in many new activities.  I loved riding on the Langley Days Parade float.  I dressed up as a nun for the Halloween Dance and it was a lot of fun.  I go for coffee and lunch with new friends I’ve met here, have invited several people to my home for dinner and gone to new friends’ homes for dinner.  Last summer my caregiver and mom invited all my new friends from Y.G.H.F. to a picnic at our property in Aldergrove.  We played games and took everyone on hayrides and we saw several deer.

I was nervous about trying new things but I am not as anxious now because I am encouraged here and people support me.  I was shy the first time and joined in a meeting at Choo Choo’s.  That evening I began to feel more comfortable and I started coming into the YGHF office several times a week after that.  I’ve made new connections and have had people to my home for dinners.  I keep in touch with new friends by phone.  I’ve gone swimming and had a picnic with Dave and his kids.  I liked talking to Al about religion.  I’ve been to Michael’s for lunch.  The best thing about You’ve Gotta Have Friends is the new friends I have made.  I enjoy the special events like Picnic in the Park, the Langley Days Parade and the Halloween Dance because they’re fun.

If there was anything I would change about You’ve Gotta Have Friends it would be that the office would be open more.

Since coming to You’ve Gotta Have Friends my life is better.  I feel happier because I have a lot more friends.  I feel more confident.