Pictured above: Erica chats with a friend of the L'Arche Saint John Community at our 20th anniversary celebration last June.
Through both my personal experiences and my time studying health and biomedical sciences at UNBSJ, I became particularly interested in the social dimension of health and the many ways people achieve not only physical wellness, but also mental and social well-being. This curiosity led me to think more deeply about different models of living and community, particularly for people living with disabilities. During one of my many late-night research sessions, I stumbled upon L’Arche and learned that we had a L’Arche community in Saint John.
I remember feeling so amazed and excited that a community like this existed in the city I was born and raised in, one where building relationships, community, and a deep sense of belonging was prioritized and where people with and without intellectual disabilities experienced all the joy that everyday life has to offer side-by-side. The more I learned about L’Arche, the more I knew it was something I wanted to be a part of.
I will always remember my first day as a summer student at McKim House. It remains one of my strongest and most joyful memories of my time at L’Arche. I remember the feelings of nervousness and excitement from both myself and the core members, as I anxiously navigated the van around the city, all while the core members quizzed me on topics ranging from my favourite type of pop to my mother’s birthday. I went into my first day so nervous about what the core members would think about me, if we would get along, if I would fit in. By the end of it, all of those worries and fears melted away and I felt so incredibly welcomed and celebrated. I went to bed that night with the feeling that I had just stumbled upon something so special and rare in this world, a place where being exactly who you are is celebrated and deeply valued.
After one year at McKim, I would have to say my favourite part about being an assistant here is all the fun I get to share with the core members. Whether it’s going for drives to grab a coffee, singing karaoke in the basement, enthusiastically cheering at Special Olympics Games, watching movies, planning parties, laughing over card games and meals, or spending quiet afternoons in the garden, I get to enjoy so many of my favourite things alongside people who appreciate them just as much as I do.
As someone who has always been nostalgic, I especially love the deep-rooted traditions of McKim House and the way stories and memories are shared so naturally from one generation of assistants and core members to the next. There always seems to be a reason to celebrate, and more than anything, McKim has taught me that simply being alive and together is something worth celebrating.
Erica Curry
McKim House Assistant