Like every 17-year-old, Kingston resident Logan Stewart wanted independence from his parents and more freedom to make his own decisions. Born with Cerebral Palsy and a wheelchair user, both things, independence and freedom, felt outside the realm of possibility. That is until he became a client of Providence Care’s Attendant Care Outreach program.
“The Outreach program is supportive, empathetic and compassionate towards anything and everything you’re going through,” explains Logan. “They really helped me realize that just because I have Cerebral Palsy doesn’t mean I can’t function on my own. The team with Outreach became freedom for me. It meant that I could live my life and keep my parents as my parents and not my caregivers.”
Logan explains Cerebral Palsy to those who ask, saying: “My brain and my body don’t match up sometimes.”
Cerebral Palsy is a neurological condition that can present as issues with muscle tone, posture, or movement. It’s the result of damage to the developing brain.
“When I was born, the umbilical cord was wrapped around my neck, so I lost oxygen which caused brain damage, caused my Cerebral Palsy and required me to be in a wheelchair,” says Logan.
“When you have Cerebral Palsy like I do,” he goes on to explain, “you struggle with daily living tasks on your own, like getting dressed, showering, toileting and cooking meals. It was really important to me to live as independently as possible and eventually live on my own, so Providence Care’s Attendant Care Outreach program helped me do that.”
Providence Care’s Attendant Care Outreach program assists individuals with long-term physical disabilities in their own homes in the Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington region. Clients must be at least 16 years of age and be able to direct their own care. Tasks include activities of daily living like bathing, dressing, and cooking as well as household chores and even assistance with grocery shopping, attending appointments or school.
“Attendant care goes beyond the person’s care needs,” explains Manager of Attendant Care Outreach, Jo-Ann Shotton. “It’s a holistic approach addressing not just personal care but also household tasks like laundry, meal prep and even physiotherapy routines. This well-rounded approach meets immediate needs but also enriches clients’ lives, allowing people to thrive in their own homes for as long as possible.”
Logan began receiving care while still living with his parents and says it instantly gave him the independence he needed.
“It’s really freeing to not rely on your parents, especially with things like the toilet and shower. It’s a really personal thing and as a teenager, you don’t want your parents to have to help you so intimately every day,” he explains. “They also have lives and jobs and other kids.”
Logan moved out of his parent’s house when he got a bit older and the Attendant Care Outreach program followed him to his new home. He received two visits a day from attendants.
“They worked around my schedule too,” says Logan. “For example, I like to sleep in so the Outreach team would work around my schedule instead of me working around theirs. I also became really close with a lot of the attendants. I had two visits, one in the morning and one in the evening. Care providers would get me up in the morning, help me with my daily routine, cook meals, stuff like that. Living alone was really important to me and because of Outreach I was able to do that.”
“We’re a really unique program,” says Jo-Ann, “but we shouldn’t be. By focusing on individual clients like Logan, the program fosters personal development, helping clients achieve milestones like graduating and starting careers. When clients thrive, it contributes positively to the broader community, showcasing the potential of individuals when they receive the right support.”
In 2020, Logan’s mental health began to decline and he says the support and encouragement from the Outreach team helped him recover.
“I went through a mental health crisis and they were really supportive of that as well, always making sure I was okay, looking out for me and if I needed someone to talk to, they were there.”
Jo Ann says a big part of her team’s job is listening.
“Our staff become an incredibly important part of our client’s support system and develop really strong working relationships with our clients. The reward of this role extends beyond just the tasks at hand, it can shape your perspective on life and the power of support.”
Logan was a client of Providence Care’s Attendant Care Outreach program for five years and this past summer became a permanent resident of Ottawa after graduating from Algonquin College. He hopes to work in communications for a non-profit organization that advocates for those in the LGBTQ2+ community or for people living with disabilities.
“Growing up I didn’t see a lot of people who looked like me so it was hard to know what was possible. I want to give back and be a positive role model for kids who might have disabilities or are a part of the LGBTQ2+ community and do meaningful things in the world.”
Logan credits the Attendant Care Outreach program and his compassionate attendants who cared for him over the last five years for his hopes for the future.
“I learned when I was a teenager that I can reach my full potential despite being disabled. It was the people on the Outreach team that really taught me that. They showed me that I can have a job and go to school despite having Cerebral Palsy and being in a wheelchair.”
Logan says he’s sharing his story in hopes of helping others feel less alone in their daily life.
“It’s easy to feel alone but maybe harder to ask for help. Through the support of Providence Care’s Attendant Care Outreach program, I was supported through all the good and all the bad life sent my way.”
The Attendant Care Outreach program ensures clients receive the right support to create the life they envision and, like Logan, helps clients discover resilience through every challenge and success.
Join Providence Care’s team and help empower individuals to live independent, meaningful lives. Attendant, Part Time, Attendant Care Outreach Program on Providence Care External Career Page jobs (talentpoolbuilder.com)
0 thoughts on “Living on his own terms: Logan Stewart’s journey to independence with Providence Care’s Attendant Care Outreach program”
Having worked with Logan in the past in high school I see how far he’s come and I’m very very proud to say that is very resilient and beautiful boy and I only see good things in his future. He can help out a lot of people and just finish sharing his stories helped encourage and inspire. I know I was inspired when I used to go to work every day and help him with Physio and he came out of the closet and his sense of humour is amazing. Keep going Logan you got this, and you inspired me every day and you still continue to do so, even when the days are hard , you an inspiration and a positive role model keep up the good work, buddy