There isn’t any one better to explain to people how important the services of the United Way member agencies are than two people who experienced firsthand how those services helped change their lives.
Patricia Wright and Steve Pratt were introduced as the 2016 volunteer campaign chairs for the United Way of Chatham-Kent at the annual general meeting Thursday in Chatham.
Wright, a resident of Chatham-Kent for the past 10 years, was struck by a vehicle in 2010, suffering a traumatic brain injury which led to post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and epilepsy. In a screening of a new video message of her story at the meeting, Wright tells her tale of despair in having to give up her career and struggling with her new daily living reality.
She was introduced to the help offered by Family Services Kent, and from there, was hooked up with New Beginnings, a brain injury support and service group where she learned to “adjust and adapt to new abilities. I don’t like the word disability.”
“Without United Way funded services, I would still be stuck in a wheelchair, withdrawn from society and non-communicative. I wouldn’t be here today,” Wright told the audience.
With help from the Epilepsy Support Centre, Wright was given a service dog, Georgia, who will bark and attract attention in case of a seizure, and gives Wright peace of mind when leaving her home.
“Without Georgia, I wouldn’t have my freedom. I can go out in public and know that if I have seizure, Georgia won’t stop barking until she gets someone’s attention,” she explained. “Without you guys; without the United Way, I wouldn’t be here today.”
Wright recently brought home a gold medal from the Karate Canada championship in Vancouver as member of Team Ontario.
Pratt, born and raised in Wallaceburg, had a difficult journey after moving to Toronto, dealing with mental health issues, addiction and depression. However, he said with the help of his sister and the treatment and support from United Way member agencies, he is healthy and now the Community Development Co-ordinator of AIDS Support Chatham-Kent. He has returned to school to complete part-time post-graduate studies in psycholinguistics.
In telling his story to help the United Way, Pratt said he hopes to break the silence around mental health and addictions, particularly in the workplace.
“I think it’s going to be very empowering. Both of us have talked about the therapeutic benefits that we are receiving from this as well. To be able to give back and to be able to be impactful in such a huge way; where are you going to get another opportunity like that?” Pratt added.
Last year’s campaign raised more than $1.8 million, and this year’s goal will be announced in the fall.
