Conferences & Training CentreFebruary 9, 2015 – Vicki is a young adult who wanted to tell the story of her experiences with Marymound. This is Vicki’s story.
At the age of two, Vicki was placed in the care of Pam who became her mom in every sense of the word. As a preschooler, Vicki was labelled a problem child. “I was perceived as arrogant and rude,” remembers Vicki. “Teachers weren’t quite sure what to do with me. In kindergarten, I could already read and write and wondered out loud why others couldn’t.” As it turned out, she had Asperger Syndrome (AS), but was not diagnosed until several years later.
When Vicki was nine years old, Pam joined Marymound’s Treatment Foster Care program and it would become a turning point in her life. “Many kids get bounced around from home to home, but I was lucky to find one family that offered stability,” says Vicki.
She attended public school in Dugald but life got more difficult as she grew older. Vicki was bullied because of her undiagnosed AS that caused an inability to filter her comments. Medication didn’t help her and only made things worse as the side effects created severe depression. “It was a dark time for me as I became very self-destructive from ages 11 to 13,” recalls Vicki.
Pam recognized there was more to the problem. “She was not a bad kid. There had to be a reason for her behaviour.” After conducting her own exhaustive research and attending a seminar on AS, she thought that Asperger Syndrome might be a possibility. Soon after that, Vicki was diagnosed with AS.
Vicki recollects that it was due to Pam’s access to resources and training provided by Marymound that “turned my life around.” Once diagnosed and no longer on medication, Vicki was able to learn to consciously filter her thoughts and better communicate. She played on the high school rugby team and excelled academically. Vicki accelerated her studies and graduated in grade 11, missing the honour role by .6 percent. “I almost cried” says Vicki.
Her first job was with the Marymound Student Education Employment Program (SWEEP). “It was great working at Marymound because the people were all very friendly and supportive,” Vicki says.
She attended College Louis Riel in 2014 and completed an Early Childhood Educator course along with winning the Citizenship Award. Vicki transferred her credits to Red River College and loved her work practicum at St. Amant Centre where she worked with special needs kids.
Vicki currently lives by herself in a downtown apartment. And although good with money, Pam likes to show her how to be a savvy grocery shopper. Pam, as supportive as any mom could be, often tells her, “I don’t care what you do, as long as you are happy.”
Being smart, stubborn and strong-willed, Vicki has survived. She has become a caring, independent, and mature young woman striving to achieve her ultimate potential.