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Client Stories
In their own words, individuals and families speak about CAYA
Ashleigh Dukoff a CAYA client, Victoria, BC
“I am 23 years old and have been using a speech device for 8 years. I purchased my Pathfinder device when I graduated. I first heard about CAYA from my friend and prior consultant, Lois. My device is working well right now. I have met with the CAYA SLP to discuss plans to continue my vocabulary building and get help to program the device.”“It’s awesome to have help when I get frustrated and to know that there will be someone to help me during these next few years as I work towards my independence. I hope CAYA continues.
Yours sincerely, Ashleigh Dukoff”
Esther Paterson, mother of CAYA client Andrea, Abbottsford BC
“My husband and I were elated to hear last August about a unique opportunity for upgrading our daughter’s communication system. CAYA seemed too good to be true. In 1999 Andrea acquired a Lightwriter through the I Can Talk Too Program (for children) at Sunnyhill. It has been well used and very much appreciated, but now we are facing repairs. In August 2005 we heard about CAYA. We feel so blessed that the timing is right for Andrea to be a part of this program. There are numerous times when Andrea is totally dependent on a communication device for people to understand her. She gets a look of desperation when she cannot maker herself understood; her frustration changes to relief when a device is used. For these reasons we wholeheartedly recommend that CAYA be funded as a continuous program. This would enable other young adults to benefit after leaving grade 12.
Sincerely, Esther Paterson”
Terry and Gord Robertson, parents of Bree-Anna, Prince George BC
“Our beautiful daughter Bree-Anna is 19 years old. Bree loves to talk to her family and friends about real girl stuff, going shopping at the mall, cute boys, and the latest movies. We have been able to secure funding at our local college for her and 11 other students to attend a continuing education class. They do math, language arts, history and science along with community activities and social functions. Bree uses her present communication device, a Tech Touch provided to her by CAYA, in all aspects of her daily life.
We are grateful to SET-BC for providing Bree-Anna with the ability to communicate but as you know, it only supports students up to grade 12. It was last spring when we stumbled across the information on the CAYA program on the internet and were thrilled by the idea that we may be able to have ongoing technical support for Bree’s communication device after she left the public school system. Also, to know that there was a program that would cover the prohibitive cost of purchasing an augmentative communication device relieved tremendous pressure from us financially. She finally has a true voice of her own and we are very excited to see where this wonderful opportunity will take our daughter.
We know that this worthwhile program will not only benefit our daughter but many of her friends in Prince George and around the province. Many of these young adults have benefited immensely from SETBC and augmentative communication. To lose that ability can be devastating, so we are very grateful to the visionaries who conceived of this project.
Thank you so much for this fabulous chance to truly expand Bree’s world. We believe our daughter can be a life long learner and it is our hope that her new system will provide her with the tools to express herself and truly make her own choices in her life.
Sincerely, Terry and Gord Robertson”
Rachelle Pelletier caregiver for CAYA client Catherine in Vancouver
“Catherine is thrilled that CAYA is expanding the vocabulary on her Dynavox and opening the door for her to communicate with more people. To be able to enhance her communication with a vast array of people is gift for Catherine.
Many thanks, Rachelle Pelletier”
Robert Seline father of CAYA client Hayley in Bowser, BC
“Hayley is 26 years old and has been without a voice since she left high school at age 18. (At graduation) she was very happy and expressive. When she graduated we were unable to afford to purchase her equipment. It was like graduating from mountain climbing school and having your rope cut just as you were finishing the final exam. We explored various methods of securing equipment and were unsuccessful as a result of the prohibitive costs and lack of resources.
Recently we have been working with CAYA and are in the process of giving Hayley a new voice. She is ecstatic to say the least! Hayley will have a new voice after so many years of silence only because of the efforts of those who listen and understand the needs of disabled people.
Thank-you for your efforts and generosity, Robert Seline”
Garry Sigouin father, and family of Levi in Sidney BC
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for providing Levi with his Pathfinder provided through the CAYA program. Not only has this communication device been provided for him, but ongoing support by CAYA staff has been invaluable. Levi did have a very full life with school, friendships and family and community involvement. Levi received his school leaving certificate after having participated in most of the school curriculum, except for Math, including two years of Spanish classes and two years of French.
All supports ended when he became an adult-even though he still has the identical needs, perhaps more so, as now he is more involved with individuals who do not understand how he communicates. In the spring of 2005, Levi's communication device, the Liberator "died". Fortunately for Levi and us, he qualified for CAYA and has received his new "voice". I would sincerely like to thank CAYA for your commitment. Finally, someone has recognized all people can be included and do not have to exist in isolation, and are committed to ensuring programs and supports will be provided. I can only hope those who hold the purse strings to fund this program can try to understand the importance of this program to not only the Levi's of our world, but us, the families caring for each other. Thank-you again!
Sincerely, Tavis, Levi, Nyleah, Penny, Garry Sigouin”
Gail Gaudry mother of CAYA client Marcel in Lillooet BC
“My son had a Deltatalker for approximately 6 years; once he turned 19, we had no practical communication support at all. Marcel has had his Vantage through CAYA for only a few months but there have been very obvious improvements. The device was delivered to my home by CAYA staff and by the time they left his device was programmed with functional personal vocabulary. When (the programming of) all his personal vocabulary was lost I was able to send the device to CAYA who reprogrammed it in less than 10 days in time for our Christmas trip to Winnipeg. To say I was relieved and impressed is an understatement!
For adults with developmental delays, it seems that learning and quality of life deteriorate when they turn 19, and this is even more apparent if one loves in a rural area where supports are often nonexistent. Communication supports for non-verbal people are as important as crutches, braces, and wheelchairs are for people with physical mobility challenges. With CAYA’s support, my son will continue to learn and develop his communication skills, and have the technical support he needs. I will have assistance and support instead of feeling left “on my own”. Hopefully this program will be around for a long, long time!
Sincerely, Gail Gaudry”
Maria Glaze mother of CAYA client Rebecca in Richmond BC
When my daughter finished high school, I was concerned that there were no resources to support and further develop her alternative and augmentative communication. In the last year we have noticed in Rebecca a new interest for learning and we have wished for someone who could assist us in developing her communication system. Our wish came true when I learned about CAYA. We are now in the process of assessing a voice output device (for Rebecca).
As a parent involved with the transformation from Ministry for Children and Family Development to Community Living BC, I, along with many others, advocated strongly for self-determination in the lives of people with developmental disabilities as the fundamental component of planning. Communication is a key to self-determination. Having the ongoing support of CAYA will mean more young adults will be supported to communicate and direct their own lives. Thank you for your continued support of CAYA.
Sincerely, Maria Glaze
Ashleigh is a young woman living independently in Victoria, BC, and pursuing post-secondary studies. Ashleigh is the chair of the Cool Communicators group in Victoria, a group of young people who use augmentative communication who meet to network, socialize, and exchange information relevant to their unique life situations.
Bree-Anna is attending college in Prince George BC
Haley is a young woman living in the small town of Bowser, BC. Haley had communicated with a speech generating device until she finished high-school. Here she is using a communication board with her father. Haley is hoping to soon have her voice again.
Levi Sigouin a young man living in Sidney, BC, shares his thoughts and wit with his friends and family using his Pathfinder device from CAYA
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