People

Ryan Achieves His Goal!

Ryan loves his car – a shiny, red, 2014 Mazda 6. He’s owned it for almost three years now and it has been a reliable, fun vehicle to drive.

Ryan, with his shiny red Mazda 6!

But for Ryan, it is more than a vehicle, it is a means of independence.

“Being able to drive has given me a lot more freedom,” Ryan says. “I can go wherever I need to, whenever I need to.”

Ryan got his full driver’s license in March of this year going through the entire licensing process in three years. He began by getting his “L” (learner’s license) in 2023. He then purchased his car and began taking driving lessons to get his “N” (novice driver’s license,) which he did in 2024. Ryan took the final road test that would give him his full license this year. It has been a long journey to achieve this milestone and he is very proud.

Ryan has worked in Janitorial at Sevenoaks Shopping Centre for several years.

This accomplishment does not come as a complete surprise to those who know him. Ryan lives with developmental disabilities but that hasn’t stopped him from achieving his goals and being a responsible participant in his community. Ryan has a steady job, he lives on his own with his roommate Crystal and their cat, and he is a Special Olympics athlete, specializing in bowling.

Ryan, with his former life skills worker, Krista, learning how to cook a great meal

Ryan is an alumni of Communitas’ Community Living Program. Krista Petrie was Ryan’s life skills worker. When he first asked Krista to work with him towards his goal of getting his “L”, she was a bit skeptical, but she knows that he is smart, hard-working, and dedicated to achieving his goals. She’s witnessed how hard Ryan worked to get his license.

“He quickly proved to me that he was serious and he was able to do it,” Krista says.

Having his full license has given Ryan more flexibility. Before getting his license and his car, he relied on the bus to get him most places but was limited by bus schedules. Buses in Abbotsford, where Ryan lives, don’t run late at night and do not have service to some communities.

Crystal and Ryan at one of their favourite hang-outs, Little Sprout Cafe

Now, he’s able to drive anywhere he needs to. Recently, he and Crystal drove as far as Princeton for a family gathering. He’s able to visit his mom, has taken his brother Shane to different places, and has taken his friend Brian to church with him.

“It’s nice to be able to drive my friends to places too,” Ryan says.

Ryan is also very responsible with his Mazda, making sure he takes care of the car, doing regular oil changes and more.

Reflecting on his journey, Ryan recalls one of the goals he first set for himself back in 2023: to drive with Crystal through the car wash.

“I did do that!” he says with a smile.

Crystal remembers that too and has accompanied Ryan a few times now, taking the Mazda through the car wash. After their successful trip to Princeton, Crystal hopes Ryan will be willing to do another longer drive.

“I’d like to go and visit my cousin in Summerland,” she says.

Ryan smiles and nods, knowing he can do it.