Catherine Radke

I was born in Edmonton Alberta on November 24 1966 but was raised here in Ottawa since the age of 5. I come from a family of six and a single mother.

I am my mothers angel and I say that with great pride. Many of her peers in the past have never truly been remembered for their ongoing volunteer group. After my personal journey I realized even more of the strengths and values volunteers taught me in the past. Marlene Catteral, Marion Dewer, Pat Hunt, Sue Garvey, Max Keeping and our neighbors were just a few that joined our community and helped bring care close to home. My story involves the many memories they made possible.

I would like to take you back for moment and explain a little about my past and what lead me to writing a very special book.

It all really started the day my mother decided to pack her 6 kids and challenge a new life. Her life was a true roller coaster ride but as a young girl I was in the back round watching her continuously struggle with life's events. However we were very fortunate and lived in a community that cared.

I grew up in a low income home that led to many tragedies in my life. My youngest brother Timmy was only 24 years old when we received the news that he passed away from a drug over dose. My mother was devastated. My second oldest brother Lloyd became paralyzed,he decided to get in a car with a drunk driver only months after Timmy's passing. I don't remember much about growing up with my brother Pat because he left to live with my dad at the early age of 12. He was always full of rage and spent many years in jail for armed robbery. My oldest brother Kenny suffered from PSTD and other mental disorders and grew up living on disability. It's not hard to imagine that the two younger girls were raised to learn and understand the effects of alcohol, drugs and mental illness. My youngest sister and I both managed to have children and continue a good path of life.

In 2012 my world came crashing down when my daughter started a battle with seizures. We were promised services to help her but many health agencies lacked the ability to help our family. I quit my job as a dietary aid in a retirement home and decided to stay home and care for my daughter.

My Journey to find answers for her still continues to this day.

I knew what changes and cuts were made in health care just based on my experience. However I never imagined how many turned a blind eye after I became extremely ill and suffered from a stroke.

I decided it was time to open our communities eyes and help them understand what changes were necessary so caregivers can live a stress free life. Now after 4 long years our Government and Healthcare agencies heard our caregivers screams and are making changes every day to improve the lives of young adults.

I wrote this book to remind me of who my mother but to help build a strong community of help and services online. My mother passed away in 2012 but she would always remind me how precious and infectious a smile can really bring to others.

Thank you for the opportunity to share my stories with you and I hope my memories of the past will place a smile on your face.

Were more than just a book we are a community searching for change and continual support for young adults.

I am now a mother myself of 4 beautiful children. Three girls and the oldest one my son. I left my husband of 25 years 7 years ago. I continue to live a single life as a caregiver for my second youngest daughter age 24. It was time to find a new path in life that suited my life style. I hope you enjoy the many stories I have put together to help understand a child and their behavior to actions of others around them.