Archive for the ‘Success Stories’ Category

Lisa Gains Independence through Computer Comfort

Monday, November 7th, 2011

“I wanted to know I could put my hands on the keys and the computer wouldn’t blow up.” This was Lisa’s goal when she first joined the Computer Comfort Program about a year ago. She lives with a severed spinal cord at the C5 and C6 vertebrae (new window) leaving her with very limited movement in her wrists, shoulders and hands and requiring her to use an electric wheelchair to get around.

Lisa had learned limited computer skills as a receptionist for an insurance company, a job she had held for twelve years, but found that those skills were not really transferable as the program she used there was only used in that particular office. So when she got a computer for her home she knew she needed some help learning the basics. She learned about the Neil Squire Society (new window) from her Occupational Therapist (new window) at Raven Song  Community Health Centre (new window).

Lisa says she sometimes has trouble remembering the lessons she has learned until about the third time, but it has still been beneficial. “I think it’s been very positive and challenging for me. Everyone (in the Computer Comfort classroom) has something different to offer, which is good because we’re all in one room and if one person doesn’t know the answer someone else will. It has been really good to learn in that environment,” says Lisa, adding “Munesh has helped me so much.” She has been learning to use the internet in general, as well Facebook (new window) and her calendar.

Since participating in the Computer Comfort Program Lisa believes she has become more independent in dealing with her family. “We’re spread right across Canada. Through Facebook (new window) I can find out what everybody’s doing, how their health is, their jobs are, children and grandchildren etcetera. That’s a great motivator for me.”

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

Just What the Doctor Ordered

Monday, November 7th, 2011

“I have a hungry soul. I want to see and do and experience so many things but I feel limited in so many ways”, says Amber, who has been dealing with a perceived sense of limitation for over a decade.

Amber was in high school when, one day, she turned her head to look out a bus window and she heard a snapping sound followed by intense pain. That was when her trapezius muscle (new window) was severed and she began experiencing pain that would be with her for the rest of her life. No one is sure why the muscle severed that day, but Amber says she had two traumatic experiences, a car accident and a violent assault, that she thinks must have contributed to it.

Amber was referred to the Neil Society in 2010 by her worker at the Richmond Employment Centre.  At that time she had just completed the Kaleidoscope Program (new window) where she earned minimum wage while learning the basics of film production.

Although she was anxious to make money, she knew she didn’t want just another unsatisfying job. “I don’t want to work for minimum wage forever in a job that doesn’t challenge me just because I’ve been injured”, says Amber.

The Employ-Ability Program (new window) was “just what the doctor ordered” for Amber. What she learned in the Program about assistive technology really impressed her. “Some of it is so simple, like using a high backed chair with good lumbar support. Usually I can only sit for 20 to 30 minutes before my pain rises and I become drained of energy. It may seem trivial, but looking back it’s enough to make me want to cry. It was so wonderful to be able to sit in comfort.” She also used Ergorest arm rests to help take strain off her shoulders.

Since finishing the Program, Amber has been focused on getting involved in her chosen field, grief counseling. She was recently accepted into the Expressive Art Therapy (new window) course at Langara College (new window) starting in 2012. Until then she intends to gain employment related to that field.

Stay hungry, Amber!

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

Kristin Follows Her Own Expert Advice

Tuesday, November 1st, 2011

Kristin Sali has been the Neil Squire Society (new window)’s Assistive Technology (new window) (AT) Specialist and Manager of Business Development for Neil Squire Solutions in the Prairie Regional office for 2 and half years. As an Assistive Technology specialist, Kristin understands the importance of assistive technology (new window).

Kristin spends the majority of her work time providing a variety of AT and ergonomic assessments, all of which include comprehensive reporting. Through these assessments, Kristin determines what types of assistive or ergonomic technologies may be useful in preventing pain or injuries to her clients at their jobs.

Kristin spends on average 75% of her total work hours on the computer so she was struck by a recent epidemiological study she read. In this study, researchers followed 632 newly hired computer users for up to 3 years and found 50% of them reported repetitive strain (new window) symptoms during the first year of their new job.

In order to avoid similar problems herself, Kristin uses a Comfort Curve Keyboard (new window) and an Evoluent Vertical Mouse (new window). The Comfort Curve (new window) concept provides a slightly curved orientation to the keys which helps to reduce ulnar (the ulna is a bone) deviation at the wrists. The Evoluent Vertical Mouse (new window). supports Kristin’s hand in an upright, neutral, handshake position that eliminates forearm twisting and minimizes the effort required to use the mouse. In addition to these devices, Kristin also makes sure to get up from her computer and stretch every 40 minutes. The stretches are designed to benefit different areas of the body affected by daily computer-related muscle stress: Neck & Shoulders, Upper Extremities, Lower Body and Back.

Its good to know that Kristin, an expert in the field of assistive technology (new window), follows her own advice!!