When I first sat down with Coreen Watson in 2019 in Baldur Manitoba we spoke for hours about her experiences raising two sons, Travis and Willy who are both on the Autism Disorder Spectrum in rural Manitoba. She shared her concerns about the Manitoba education system and how it wasn’t properly prepared nor her local schools equipped to handle the care her children needed. Lack of training, resources and staff made education for her children almost inaccessible. Now her boys are grown and trying to love as independently as possible with the support of other government agencies and workers in Brandon Manitoba – an experience for one that has turned into a nightmare. While her son is verbal and can assist i documenting what has happened to him and others and Coreen is actively involved still to advocate for him, there are others that are not so fortunate and our broken system is putting them at risk. TRIGGER WARNING – this interview shares details of neglect and abuse of adults with intellectual and physical disabilities and is very hard to listen too. It may be triggering and upsetting to hear.

If you or a loved one needs help please reach out. Westman resources can be found HERE: https://westmanwellness.ca/resources/

Published May, 2023