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Winnipeg moms worry moving sons from complex-care home a mistake

Two Winnipeg moms worry the transition in a move from a complex-care facility in the South End will make life hard on their two adult sons living with disabilities.

'I'm worried about how he'll take it,' Verna Wright says about how move from St. Amant impacts son

CBC News ·

Winnipeg moms worry moving sons from complex-care home a mistake

10 years ago
Duration 2:10
Two Winnipeg moms worry the transition in a move from a complex-care facility in the South End will make life hard on their two adult sons living with disabilities.
As part of a five-year plan, St. Amant, located in the city's South End, is aiming to get its total number of patients down from around 170 to 115. (CBC)
Two Winnipeg moms worry the transition in a move from a complex-care facility in the South End will make life hard on their two adult sons living with disabilities.

Verna Wright and Linda Van Weeghel's sons, now in their 40s, have lived at St. Amant for most of their lives. The centre offers support for people with developmental disabilities and autism.

They just feel that he's OK to be there and to make the move, and I just don't agree.- Linda Van Weeghel

Last year, Wright and Van Weeghel were told their sons, Tom and Scott respectively, would be moved to two different group homes in the city as part of St Amant's five-year strategic plan.

"I'm worried about how he'll function, I'm worried about how he'll take it, if he will be able to handle it or not. Whether it will be too much stress for him, too much strain," said Wright.

Van Weeghel shares the same concerns. Her son Scott works well with the staff at St. Amant and she wants him to stay with his friend Tom.
Verna Wright says she's concerned St. Amant's plans to move dozens of people under its care out of its main facility will negatively impact her son Tom. (CBC)
Linda Van Weeghel says her son Scott and Wright's son Tom are good friends. If they get separated, she believes it's going to make life harder for her son. (CBC)

"He's familiar with being where he is," said Van Weeghel. "It's home."

John Leggat, the CEO and president of St. Amant, said the centre's strategic plan is to move 15 people per year over the next five years.

"It's individuals who don't require 24-hour nursing care," he said, adding each person at the centre currently has a team that works with them.

Leggat said they've identified who of those currently in the care of St. Amant's they believe can be supported in the community. Right now 170 people live at St Amant — more than the centre is capable of looking after, Leggat said. As the new plans come into play that number will drop considerably to 115 patients.

Changes stressful

Leggat admitted the changes have caused anxiety for some families. But he insisted the level of care provided in St. Amant's new homes won't change.
John Leggat, CEO and president at St. Amant, said the families of those affected by the centre's five-year strategic plan will be helped as much as possible during the transition. (CBC)

"Whether it's a 24/7 shift staff home for three people, or a foster environment or family environment ... all of those environments will be able to provide a higher ratio of care," he said. 

Instead of two staff to 10 people, Leggat said the centre will see one-on-one support in their new homes. But Van Weeghel and Wright want St. Amant to reconsider moving their sons and keep them together.

"They just feel that he's OK to be there and to make the move, and I just don't agree," said Van Weeghel.

St. Amant says it will support the families as much as they can throughout the transition, Leggat said.

With files from Courtney Rutherford

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