For me, The Independence Program (TIP) offered through Holland Bloorview was absolutely life changing.
In August 2020, I suffered from a brain bleed that had led me to spend the next 10 months in hospital. It was nowhere near an easy time for me or for my family. For months following my discharge, I relearned how to do everything with the support of my family and staff at my high school. I had very little independence as I had been so ill. I graduated high school in June 2023. TIP helped me gain the skills and confidence I needed so I could thrive at college independently. TIP was crucial to my journey. The liberation that it gave both me and my parents is what changed everything.
TIP is a 3-week residential immersive life skills program for youth with disabilities. While living in a college residence setting together, participants strengthen their independence skills and prepare for future life as an adult. Getting ready for post-secondary school is usually a challenge for every young person. Being a person with a disability, I was able to learn how to live independently, budget, shop for myself, and keep a well-kept dorm.
During my time at TIP, there were about 12 participants who lived in 2-bedroom dorms with a common kitchen and bathroom. We learned how to live in a shared space and divide responsibilities, like meal planning, taking out the trash and making sure the food in the fridge hadn’t gone bad.
When I had asked Heather Keating, Clinical Operations Manager of Transitions & Community Partnerships, what have been some of the most impactful moments since being a part of this program, she responded with a words that really resonated with me: “Some of the most impactful achievements are often the milestones that many people take for granted but represent significant accomplishments for our participants.” A person without a disability or developmental difference may take everyday things for granted—like learning how to take public transit.
Learning how to navigate the TTC, especially with a mobility aid, was pivotal for me. At TIP, we went on weekly outings, and we had the opportunity to choose where we wanted to go. We had to budget and plan the trip all on our own. By the end of the program, I was gladly able to say that I could get from point A to point B in one piece and with a smile on my face.
Another outing I remember fondly is our day at Able Sail, an accessible sailing program for people with all abilities. After being restricted from so many activities that I used to take part in because of my brain bleed, it felt so freeing to sail— something I didn’t think was possible.
But the most important thing from my time at TIP was making friends who faced many of the same challenges as me. Michelle Halliday, Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, puts it best: “Beyond the practical skills, we’ve watched participants develop lasting friendships and gain a sense of independence that carries into college, employment, volunteering, and life at home. Those moments show that success looks different for every individual, and each achievement is worth celebrating.”
I will always be grateful and proud to have been a part of TIP. We were all young people striving to achieve the same goal: independence. To this day, I have kept the friendships I made.
— Katie, former Holland Bloorview client