“Nothing About Me Without Me:” How Community Voices Are Shaping the Future of Health Care in Timiskaming

When Sherwin Knight saw a notice in a local newspaper inviting community members to join the Timiskaming Ontario Health Team’s (TOHT) Community Citizen Council, he saw an opportunity to share his lived experience.

After spending the last several years navigating a “broken system”- from long emergency waits and specialist delays to managing pneumonia, cardiac issues, advancing COPD, and COVID setbacks – Sherwin knew he had something valuable to contribute.

“I’ve been all over the health-care system these past few years,” he said. “And I thought, if I’m going to complain about something, I’d better be willing to offer solutions too.”

It didn’t take long for him to join. In April 2025, Sherwin attended his first TOHT planning day – an event that brought residents, providers, and partners together to help shape the year ahead. Since then, he’s joined several committees, including the Collaboration Council and the Capacity Access and Flow Committee.

Why Community Voices Matter

Sherwin spent 26 years working in the developmental services sector, where person-centred planning wasn’t just a goal, it was the foundation of every decision. That experience shapes how he views the role of community members in health-system transformation today.

“The people receiving the services need to be at the forefront of all of this,” he said. “Too often decisions are made about people without asking them. That’s why the phrase ‘nothing about me without me’ stood out to me when I first joined the TOHT. It summed up exactly what we should be striving for.”

His belief aligns directly with the TOHT’s shared purpose: to collaborate with the community to establish an inclusive, wholistic, and seamless health and wellbeing system rooted in nature and grounded in the hearts and needs of people and future generations.

“In my golden years, I’m relying on the health system more,” he explained. “I want to make sure the right services are there when I need them, and for my grandkids too. This work is really about building something better for everyone.”

What Sherwin Sees on the Ground

Sherwin says his early impressions of the TOHT’s work have been encouraging and eye-opening.

At a recent seniors’ fair, he spoke with more than 100 residents.

“Most people had never heard of the TOHT,” he said. “But once we explained what we’re trying to do – bringing services together, making care easier to access, making sure people only have to tell their story once – people were eager to learn more. We need to keep sharing that message.”

Sherwin has also been encouraged by practical examples of transformation – like how artificial intelligence tools are easing the documentation burden on care providers.

“My doctor uses AI Scribe now,” he said. “She spends more time with me instead of on paperwork. That’s the direction we need to continue moving toward.”

Why He Wants Others to Join

When asked what he’d tell someone who’s unsure about joining the Community Citizen Council, Sherwin didn’t hesitate.

“Your voice matters. Every experience is different, and the TOHT truly listens. They’re welcoming, respectful, and they want to hear from the people who use the services. If you want things to change, this is your chance to help shape those changes.”

He adds that involvement doesn’t require professional experience – just personal experience and a willingness to share it.

“At the end of the day, everything the TOHT is working toward is for the community. So the community needs to be part of the process.”

Looking Ahead

Sherwin knows the transformation won’t be easy.

“There will be challenges, roadblocks, and delays,” he said. “But by bringing the right people together and keeping the focus on the end user, we will make progress. We have to.”

His optimism, grounded in realism, reflects the community-driven future the TOHT envisions: care that is coordinated, close to home, inclusive, and shaped by the people it serves.

Before wrapping up our conversation, Sherwin offered one final thought:

“Change won’t happen overnight. But it will happen if people speak up, get involved, and work together. And that’s why I’m here.”

Get Involved

The TOHT is always seeking community members – patients, caregivers, and people from diverse backgrounds – to join the Community Citizen Council or participate in related working groups.

If you’re passionate about improving access to care in Timiskaming and want to add your voice, learn more and sign up at: https://timiskamingoht.ca/get-involved/