Cascade Connections Supported Living (West Lynden)
“I want people to know I am kind and gentle,” Lindsey says, as she sits on her couch surrounded by her new housemates and staff. As the newest addition to the West Lynden Supported Living program, there is a lot Lindsey would like people to know about her – most importantly, that she is proud of who she is. “I have Down Syndrome,” she says, “21 chromosomes, which makes me rare and special. So every March 21st, my mom and I get ice cream to celebrate my 21 chromosomes.”
Lindsey also wants people to know that communication and connection mean a lot to her. She has been using American Sign Language since she was three years old and combines it with written and spoken words to connect with those around her. Lindsey’s family is important to her, and Sunday morning church with her parents and weekend sleepovers at her sister’s are some of her favorite activities. When asked how it’s been to move out of her family’s home and into a new place, Lindsey replied: “At first, it was hard, but my family helped a lot!”
Lindsey also really values community. She enjoys volunteering at her church and interacting with customers at her job at the Lynden Safeway. In her free time, Lindsey often meets people and makes friends while playing on the Special Olympics bowling and basketball teams and attending the Max Higbee Center.
Since moving into her new house in June of 2024, Lindsey has been building friendships with her housemates. One of the first things Lindsey wanted to add to the house was a bigger dining room table so that everyone could eat together. She and her housemates also decided to get patio chairs so they can sit outside on the porch and enjoy the warm weather. Lindsey has bonded with one of her housemates over their shared interest in creating artwork. She also enjoys singing and Disney movies, and every Friday night is now movie night for the housemates, who meet up in one of their bedrooms and watch one of Lindsey’s many movies.
Lindsey has bonded with our staff as well, especially while participating in community activities together. On her birthday in June, Lindsey attended a Bellingham Bells game and got to throw the first pitch! Other fun summer excursions included a couple of West Lynden Supported Living BBQs, the Cascade Connections annual picnic, and the Northwest Washington Fair where she donned a cowboy hat and participated in the Rascal Rodeo.
Lindsey’s goals for this fall include creating more relationships in the community and learning more about baking and cooking. A fan of the fall and cooler weather, Lindsey likes to go to harvest festivals and do crafts, and she’s thinking of joining a bowling league. Lindsey’s Cascade Connections team is very excited to witness and support Lindsey as she pursues all these goals and more. Welcome, Lindsey!