Do you remember when you wrote letters with a pen and paper instead of typing them up on the computer? How about walking down to the post office (new window) to mail those letters instead of pushing “send”? Well Distance Computer Comfort participant Rita sure does.
After receiving a new computer from her son, Rita knew that writing letters to her family was a dying art form. She knew it was time to learn how to use a computer in order to correspond easily with her family.
Rita, who lives in Penticton (new window), British Columbia, joined the Neil Squire Society’s partner site, Footprints to Technology (new window) in spring 2011 with hopes of building her computer skills. Rita was directed to the Neil Squire Society’s Distance Computer Comfort Program to fulfill her needs. “I was very pleased when I found out I could join Neil Squire Society’s Distance Computer Comfort Program” says Rita, “and be able take lessons out of the comfort of my own home, as well as coordinate with my busy schedule.” 
Along with exchanging emails with her family, Rita learned how to research things on line and found the pleasure in organizing her travel plans. She discovered that she was able to find places to stay, and things to do, allowing her to book her entire vacation at her fingertips. She also loves to play games on the computer, and has learned how to make spreadsheets where she can accommodate everyday tasks, like making shopping lists.
Her biggest project is organizing all her recipes (new window) into a book. “All my recipes are in my head” says Rita, “and I want to pass them down through my family. Unfortunately you can’t google my recipes” Rita laughs.
“I recommend Neil Squire Society’s Distance Computer Comfort to many of my friends” say Rita. “I tell them that it is great program and you can access it at home. You don’t have to go out anywhere and it’s one on one. It can’t get any better than that.” Rita had a great teacher, Computer Comfort tutor, Gordon. “He is a great instructor, patient and tolerant. I was really happy when he stopped by to see me while he was in Penticton,” says Rita. “Gordon is part of my family now.”
Rita is busier than ever and never bored. She wants to keep practicing her new found computer skills but finds “that there isn’t enough time to do everything.” Luckily Rita will get recordings of all her lessons and will be able to look up the answers when she has questions.
Rita is now ready to book a trip through all the resources available on the computer. She loves that she can find all the information needed. In fact, Rita thinks “all seniors (new window) should have a computer.”
Rita wants everyone at the Neil Squire Society to know that, “I am very, very grateful that I’ve been able to take this program. I hope to come back and learn more. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”