'It helps calm us,' YMCA sensory room helps people with disabilities
Hali Douthwright, 28 has been helping the YMCA of Greater Moncton develop its very own sensory room, designed for people with disabilities.
It's a project that's been near and dear to her heart.
"The sensory room is kind of a big thing for people here because their lives are filled with a lot of emotions," said Douthwright.
The sensory room is filled with things people can feel, hear and touch including Hali's personal favourite, a keyboard, gel-like floor tiles, a weighted blanket and led lights for those sensitive to bright lights.
"We decided to make the sensory room for people who have problems with their minds and sometimes with their anger to help calm us down."
Hali said she's proud to be a part of something that will continue to help others.
"It makes me feel focused because I have Down syndrome and I have anger sometimes, but the sensory room helps me a lot. It calms me down and it's actually kind of soothing."
Nicole Wry, the coordinator of the YMCA community action network says they started working on the room back in July 2019 after they received an $8,000 grant from the enabling and accessibility fund. However, it wasn't until recently that the organization opened it up to those in the YMCA's adult day program.
"Our adult day program is a program from adults with different types of exceptionalities," said Wry. "They have a lot of young people joining so I just grabbed a group of eight of them, they talked about accessibility and how they really wanted to leave a mark on the 'Y'."
While the room was completed in 2020, wry said it is currently not open to the general public due to the number of COVID-19 cases in the region.
For the time being, those in the adult day program can benefit from what the room has to offer.
"It makes me feel good inside. I'm a caring, wonderful person and I really want this sensory room to be a success," said Douthwright.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.