If you ever want to know what retirement should look like, spend some time with Sue McLachlan and you will quickly realize that she has the recipe for a happy retirement and fulfilling life. She has a contagious smile, a positive outlook on life and shows gratitude for all that life has given her.
Sue and her husband Russell moved to Oakville in 2008 from Orangeville to be closer to her family. She resides in an assisted living apartment in downtown Oakville with all the amenities of life just a hop skip and a jump away. Sue and Russell utilized the support of Supported Independent Living in Orangeville and when they made the move to Oakville, through the help of Developmental Services Ontario, they were linked up with Supported Independent Living in their new hometown.
Sue met the love of her life Russell in 1990 and the two were married in 1995. She is forever thankful that they were able to renew their 20th anniversary wedding vows in 2015, just a year before she lost the love of her life to a battle with cancer in April of 2016. Sue says “life as a widow is different, but I always try and keep busy and I have surrounded myself with my great family, friends and support for Community Living Oakville”. Sue says that she and Russell were always social people and she continues on that path.
When you ask Sue about the support that she receives from Community Living Oakville and from her support staff she says “Oh Silvia, I don’t consider her a worker, I see her more as a friend, she is so easy to get along with, and she helps me maintain my independence”. Sue says that she never wants her cerebral palsy to slow her down, and Silvia is right there with her to make sure of that. Sue always looks forward to the time that she and Silvia spend together. What Sue has enjoyed most about Community Living Oakville is that she has met so many new people that she now considers friends.
Community Living is just one piece of her community connections. She has a tight knit family that she loves and whose pictures adorn her lovely apartment. Sue is an active member of her local church, which she attends regularly and she takes part in many programs that her assisted living building provides. Sue has also built many friendships with those in her building and it would not be out of the norm to find her visiting a neighbour for tea or having a friend come over to her place for a visit.
Although she has had various jobs and held many volunteer positions, she is enjoying her retirement years and is looking forward to what the future has in store for her. With her positive outlook on life, I am sure her golden years will be just that…golden.