Ring! The phone rang, and when I picked up, it was my brother, Phil.
“Hey, guess what?” he said. “Johno is on the list at L’Arche! We should know within the next month if he gets in.”
I felt a rush of excitement but tried not to dwell on it too much. Having worked with families who have gone through this process, I knew better than to get my hopes up. To be honest, I wasn’t even sure how to feel.
A month later, Phil called again. This time, his voice carried even bigger news.
“Guess what? He got in!”
A wave of emotions washed over me. First, there was pure joy. This was something Johno had wanted for so long. But then came the sadness, knowing I wouldn’t see him as often as before. And finally, there was fear. Fear of the unknown. Who would be working with my brother? Would they treat him well?
Moving day came and went. When people ask what this means for our family, the answer is simple: we are thrilled that Johno has found a place where he can grow, gain independence, and become even more connected to the community. The fact that he’s still close to home is an added bonus. Most importantly, he’s happy, and if he’s happy, we’re happy.
So far, the L’Arche experience has been nothing but positive. Every fear and doubt we had has been eased by the incredible staff. Their kindness, dedication, and support have reassured us that Johno is in good hands. The transition has been smooth for both our family and Johno, and we couldn’t be more grateful.
