Deafblind man finds independence while calling Sudbury home
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A deafblind man now calls Sudbury home after moving out of his parents' place in Sturgeon Falls.
Alec Malette, 24, has been deafblind whole life, with limited sight and hearing through the support of his glasses and a hearing aid.
Malette moved out on his own over the summer with the help of DeafBlind Ontario Services. While he was nervous at first, he said he has since settled in well.
'I like to play on my computer, play video games and make food,' Malette said.
He cooks most of his own meals, does most household chores and has taken on a part time job at a diner. Following in his older brother's footsteps, he completed some computer science courses at Cambrian College.
DeafBlind Ontario provides an array of services, offering community and residential supports for individuals who are deafblind, deaf, hard of hearing, and are non-verbal with developmental disabilities.
Alec Malette
Alec Malette, 24, has been deafblind whole life, with limited sight and hearing through the support of his glasses and a hearing aid. (Amanda Hicks/CTV News)
'For Alec specifically, we have our intervener services team that provides communications supports, helps him get out in the community, we help him with his job, his school work, we're basically the eyes and ears to facilitate him to live his best life,' said Crystal Pigeon-Way, community engagement manager of DeafBlind Ontario North Region.
Malette moved into one of the organization's three homes in Sudbury and lives with two roommates.
GAINING INDEPENDENCE
Pigeon-Way said the move has allowed him to increase his independence.
'He was really excited to have his own home and gain his own independence,' said Pigeon-Way.
'Coming from a small town, he wasn't able to get everywhere on his own, there was no public transportation, stuff like that. So moving to Sudbury really opened up his ability to engage within his community.'
Malette enjoys baking in particular and recently made a chocolate cake and built a gingerbread house.
He said he will soon be heading back to Sturgeon Falls to visit his family for Christmas.
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