Marilyn experienced an acquired brain injury (new window) and had been in and out of employment for a good part of her adult life. Last fall, she joined the Employ-Ability program in Ottawa, Ontario with the goal of finding an occupation that would be a good fit for her.

Marilyn, as part of the program, attended a series of workshops which included topics on positive self-esteem, positive communication skills, how to talk to an employer about a disability, and time management.

From her very first day in the Employ-Ability program, Marilyn was enthusiastic. As staff got to know her, they learned that she has had difficulty at times knowing how to speak with her previous supervisors at work. Each week, Marilyn let Employ-Ability staff know she was gaining confidence around communication skills she could use with future employers. She gave an example of this as she shared, “When I need to speak with my supervisor, I will decide what I need to say, when is the best time and then I will approach them with my question.”

Upon completion of the Employ-Ability program, Marilyn moved on to an unpaid work experience with the Brain Injury Association of the Ottawa Valley (new window). This gave Marilyn the opportunity to further build her confidence, while practicing workplace communication skills in a supportive environment. This experience helped Marilyn to grow, and paved the way to securing paid employment.

Following her unpaid work experience, Marilyn began looking for paid employment with the help of the Neil Squire Society and the Ontario March of Dimes (new window). She has since secured a part time position at McDonald’s restaurant (new window) as a Lobby Attendant. Marilyn tells us that she is enjoying her work, which includes ensuring that the dining area is clean, tables are ready for customers, and napkins, condiments and other supplies are filled. Perhaps most importantly, Marilyn feels comfortable approaching her supervisors when she needs to.

Marilyn’s motivation enabled her to move forward with her goals and follow through with her action plan. Four organizations were pivotal to Marilyn’s success: Neil Squire Society helped her develop and implement her employment action plan; Brain Injury Association (new window) provided supportive, unpaid work experience; Ontario March of Dimes (new window) helped her find the right employer; and McDonald’s (new window), an equal opportunity employer, provided the training and support that Marilyn required.

Congratulations, Marilyn!

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