Lani Alton was born in Comox in 1988, and was diagnosed with cerebral palsy soon after her birth.
Although she has full mental capacity, the condition causes her muscles to contract and spasm, making simple everyday tasks impossible without assistance and verbal communicating is difficult.
Lani's family cares deeply about her and are her strongest supporters. They have always encouraged her to explore life, make her own decisions and to become a unique vibrant woman. And, like most young women her age, she desired to live a more independent life.
At the age of 20 she moved into her own apartment. On Dec. 1, she moved again, this time into an assisted living home with a housemate.
Lani has many professional caregivers involved in her life. Most of her care, housing and essential safety needs are financially supported by Community Living BC and Vancouver Island Community Connections.
Additional funds, however, must be raised to provide her with much-needed physiotherapy, massage, acupuncture, chiropractic and emotional counseling services, some of which are required on a bi-weekly basis.
In 2004, a volunteer group of advocates for the disabled established a non-profit society in her name to enable her, with the assistance of the community, to raise the additional funds required for her care.
The board of The Lani Alton Society consists of both people who have known Lani for many years, as well as others who are committed to helping her lead a full and dignified life. All are volunteers.
— Lani Alton Society