Archive for November, 2009


A Pain In The Neck

Monday, November 16th, 2009

Employ-Ability Participant Lorna JeanLorna Jean is a highly successful graduate of the Neil Squire Society’s Employ-Ability Program offered at the Footprints Centre in Penticton (new window) , British Columbia. She successfully secured a job that allows her to work efficiently despite her disability.

In addition to cerebral palsy (new window) , Lorna Jean has a neck injury from a car accident, which makes it very difficult and painful to look down. She also has pain in her right shoulder from a torn rotator cuff that has never healed properly.

After finishing the Employ-Ability Program, Lorna Jean decided to look for an employment opportunity that would allow her to work from her home office. Her search led her to CLW1 Management where she secured a position as an Accounting Assistant, sorting and filing client documentation, but the paperwork was aggravating her neck injury and causing her severe pain.

Neil Squire Society’s Distance Learning Coordinator, Chad Leaman, visited with Lorna Jean at her home office and made some adjustments to her workstation so that she could use a book holder and a paper sorter.

These small modifications have eliminated Lorna Jean’s neck pain as she no longer needs to look down while doing paperwork. “This is so much easier for me!” says Lorna Jean, “It won’t cause pain in my neck. I’m going to love doing things this way. It’s just so much easier!”

“I just want to thank you again for all the help that you have given me so that I am able to do my job in the best way possible” says Lorna Jean, “The staff at the Neil Squire Society and the staff at the Footprints Centre have always been there for me. If I had any questions, they were always just a phone call away. I would encourage anyone who has a disability, and wants to learn, to take the program. It’s a fabulous program”

If you would like to make a donation to support others like Lorna Jean, you may do so here.


Employ-Ability Student Lands Sony Job

Friday, November 13th, 2009

Employ-Ability Participant Tyler wearing a headsetAfter graduating from the Employ-Ability program, Tyler launched his new career at Sony Playstation’s online gaming network (new window) as a platform monitor.

Tyler was able to take the Neil Squire Society’s Employ-Ability program via distance learning from Independent Living Vernon (new window). Tyler flourished in Independent Living Vernon’s (new window) safe environment and was free to be himself. As he got more comfortable with his skills, Tyler took on a classroom assistant role, supporting other students with their work and troubleshooting technical problems.

Every day, Tyler arrived at Independent Living Vernon’s (new window) doors the moment they opened and stayed until the moment they closed. When not busy helping local classmates or staff, he explored an online virtual world called Second Life (new window).

Second Life (new window) has a user-base of over 4.6 million people worldwide and has thousands of entertainment and business applications–some universities have even moved their course delivery mechanisms to this virtual environment. Far from just a video game, Second Life (new window) provided Tyler with a place to develop real communication and interpersonal skills.

The confidence Tyler gained and the presence he created in this online world led him to a paying position with Sony Playstation Network (new window) as a platform monitor. His job is to ensure that the online gaming environment is a safe, slander-free, fun environment for all gamers.

Tyler cites the experience he gained in the Employ-Ability program as the major stepping stone to his current position with Sony (new window) , a position that supports Sony customers around the world.

If you would like to make a donation to support others like Tyler, you may do so here.


ILLAHIE Foundation

Wednesday, November 11th, 2009

The ILLAHIE Foundation has donated $3,000 to support our research and development. This marks the fourth year of generous support from them!


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