Kat Lewis believes we are all limitless
Kat Lewis, second from left, with the Limitless Nova Scotia crew
In 2023, Kat Lewis realized a dream. She packed her bags and left London, Ont., having bought a plot of land in West Hants with a vision to build Limitless Nova Scotia (LNS), a supportive community for people with disabilities.
After a career in developmental services in the public school system and in supportive living communities, Kat noticed a major gap for high school graduates with intellectual disabilities. “I saw many of our higher-needs students graduate and be placed on long waiting lists for day-program supports. Some were not accepted because of toileting needs or behavioural challenges,” says Kat.
For some graduates, those roadblocks mean relying heavily on their parents, who in some cases had to stop working so they could be there for their child. This can lead to caregiver burnout and worries about the family’s future.
Limitless Nova Scotia fills that care gap: they accept anyone who needs a place to go, regardless of their disability and level of need. Kat created LNS as a place where people with disabilities can spend their days in a safe home-like environment, being social, going on community outings, participating in simple everyday movement and building friendships. Kat explains, “I also have added extra staff so that outings can be divided into small groups or pairs”. She believes everyone deserves to spend their time doing what they love.
Something LNS is addressing is what being truly inclusive means. For LNS, being inclusive is about more than just extending an invitation to everyone – it should prioritize meeting the needs of people with disabilities. If their needs aren’t considered, the promise of inclusion falls short.
“Some of the people at LNS cannot easily take part in every class or activity in the community due to mobility challenges or physical roadblocks. Going to a gym and using exercise equipment is not motivating or safe for everyone,” says Kat.
To create an inclusive community, Kat centres the activities and outings she plans around what her clients like to do – and invites the larger community to join in the fun.
Limitless Nova Scotia prioritizes simple movement. Participants enjoy activities such as trail walking, trampolining, snowshoeing, swimming, bowling, chair yoga and visiting neighbouring farms. “There are endless opportunities in the community to engage in healthy movement while having fun,” says Kat. “We especially love to dance and enjoy life without being bound to electronics.”
All this great work has been getting noticed. Kat explains, “The West Hants Municipality offered to partner with us to create fully inclusive programming, such as yoga classes, music exploration and outdoor adventures. Anyone can attend these sessions; they have been created so that people of all ability levels can fully participate. We are so proud of our municipality for taking this important step, and we look forward to growing this partnership.”
Kat says she’s been blown away by how LNS has been embraced by the wider West Hants community. It has received offers to visit a nearby farm, schools, arenas and the Mantua Country Store, where the owners know everyone’s name and welcome them with familiar greetings. Even the local pub, the Hilltop Brewery, has embraced LNS as part of their community atmosphere.
“This is all we hope for, that we can establish a comfortable welcoming environment wherever we go. We hope that we are leading by example.”
Next, Kat hopes to develop other LNS locations around Nova Scotia. “There is such a need, and we are hoping to be able to share our model with others.”
To learn more, visit Limitless Nova Scotia on Facebook or email Kat directly at limitlessnovascotia@gmail.com.