08/26/2019
Thank you Lowyn for embracing the Cottage as your cause. ❤️If you’re asking what you can do to help...stay tuned... but you can start by sharing the heck out of this post.
Lo's Letter Unleashed...
12 year-old Lowyn Weber has written a letter to advocate for the “most amazing place”. Unprompted, she has sent her letter to multiple media sources and will be meeting with, MP Karen Vecchio and hopes to present at the next St. Thomas Council meeting, on September 9th, (yes, on her own). She is a fearless leader.
She appreciate all feedback and support. Let us know if you have any ideas.
Every Community Needs a Kaleidoscope Cottage:
A letter written by Lowyn Weber (age 12)
I still remember that morning like it was yesterday. I answered the phone to hear my mom crying on the other end. “Mom, what’s wrong?” Between her tears she said, “Tata passed away. LoLo, he’s gone.” Her words are still etched in my mind. I couldn’t believe that our amazing grandfather, our Tata, was no longer with us. I can still hear his proud clap at my soccer games and his infectious laugh when I told him about my hockey feats with the boys. He was proud of my brothers and I and loved us beyond belief. His wife, our grandmother ‘Kia’, was his best friend.
What I didn’t understand was how his Alzheimer’s took him from us and how our Kia, who was living with Dementia, was going to live without her best friend of 45 years. Nothing made sense to me. I wanted to help my mom feel better but I didn't know how. My uncle and my mom spent a lot of time by my Kia’s side at her long-term care home. Living there is a very lonely experience. I had to understand that they all needed each other in order to heal and to keep her from feeling lonely and sad but still, I missed my mom.
One month later, the most amazing thing happened! Kaleidoscope Cottage opened its doors in October 2017. It was like our Tata was looking out for our family, especially our Kia. He knew what we needed…he was our protector. At the heart of Kaleidoscope Cottage are Charlene Hanson and Suki Held, the owners and operators, also known as the ‘Cottage Keepers’. My younger brother Bro and I call Suki and Char the “Dementia Whisperers”. We have learned a lot by observing their warm and caring approach.
In keeping with the Kaleidoscope belief that their door swings open for everyone, Bro and I have started helping at the Cottage every Saturday morning during Coffee Group. The fun and friendship shared during this time I can’t put into words other than to quote my Kia, “We laugh a lot!” The Cottage has made an incredible difference in my grandmother’s life. It’s a very hard place to describe but in a few words, it is a safe and inclusive place where Kia feels confident and relaxed. It also brings her some normalcy in contrast to her life in the long-term care home. She enjoys doing some of her favourite things like ironing clothes, setting up for dinner parties, listening to music, making crafts, feeding the birds, watering the garden, baking and helping others who visit. She tells me that social game time is her favourite. We have so much fun interacting with the Cottagers during our weekly visits. Their genuine comments and laughter is the cherry-on-top.
Sadly, Kaleidoscope Cottage is in great danger of closing at the end of September due to lack of understanding as to what makes them different and invaluable as a resource. Those who visit the Cottage on a regular basis say they love it. There has not been any government support or funding and yet there are wait lists for day programs throughout our city and the surrounding area. My grandmother was on a waitlist for two years for a day program that took place from 9am – 4pm once per week. Both the ride and the day were too long, and the activities took place in a conference room, which was not ideal to her needs, and it was understandable why she did not want to return.
I want to spread the word about how amazing Kaleidoscope Cottage has been for my family and what is has to offer to a family living with Dementia or other cognitive challenges. Kaleidoscope Cottage saved our Kia’s life. She went from feeling lonely and frustrated with her memory loss, to living life with purpose and meaning. I believe that one kid writing one letter can make a difference. I can’t imagine my Kia and many of her new friends never being able to go to the Cottage again. Please join me in keeping the doors of Kaleidoscope open for many years to come but we have to do something now!
Thank you for listening/reading.
Yours Sincerely,
Lowyn Weber
[email protected]
519-636-0094
