Marcel, an Employ-Ability participant at our Central Regional office in Ottawa, Ontario, opens up about his experience being injured on the job, ending his 35 year long career in construction. It may be a longer story, but boy, it’s a good read!

“I grew up under the influence of my father who was a carpenter by trade and a General Contractor building homes. Just like him, I am very skilled with my hands and that’s why I chose to work in the construction field. I worked more than 35 years in that environment. Unfortunately, I hurt my back at work, for the third time 5 years ago, and that injury ended my career as a Sheet Metal Worker.

I am not working in my trade anymore because after being evaluated by a disability management company, they gave me three choices; none of them were in the construction field. I chose the social work field because I love helping people and I am very social. Helping people to reach their goals is as important to me as reaching my goals.

Following the completion of a diploma in Social Work Techniques and after several months of unsuccessful job search and consulting with four employment services, I was not able to secure employment. I learned that my diploma does not qualify me to work in social services and I felt discouraged, humiliated, and stressed. So I started to navigate the internet to search for an organization that helps people with limitations. That’s how I discovered the Neil Squire Society and the Employ-Ability Program.

The Employ-Ability Program helped me to identify solutions by taking into consideration all aspects of who I am as a human being, such as my limitations, work history and training. I gained the motivation and confidence required to achieve my goals. I received support on an individual basis to help me identify my specific needs in order to create an individual action plan to succeed in my quest to find employment. The Employ-Ability Program offered me a self-paced environment which allowed me to learn at my own pace.

It has been a privilege to receive help from people who are so determined to make positive changes in my life. The Employ-Ability team provided me with excellent services to help eliminate barriers that might have impeded full participation in the work force, considering my back injury. The program and the staff gave me a boost in confidence, hope, and self-esteem.

I believe that the Neil Squire Society can be looked to as a model in providing employment services to individuals with disabilities. This program was life changing for me because I felt that I finally had the support I should have had at the beginning of my search for employment.

The module which benefited me the most was Career Research. I learned how to explore options for many different careers based on my skills and current abilities. I continue to explore options in the social work field. In addition, I am re-visiting the possibility of other careers within the construction industry, taking into account my physical limitations, which had previously been ruled out prior to coming to the Neil Squire Society.

I appreciated having my workstation ergonomically set up for me. This made a big difference for me because I was more comfortable and productive.

Because the Employ-Ability Program is based on the client’s individual goals and needs, I was able to discover how to develop a realistic job search schedule that I continue to follow. I learned how to discern which employment opportunities and which employers would be a good fit for me. I also learned how to approach these opportunities and indeed to create them by networking and conducting information interviews.

I am following my Action Plan for Employment. I succeeded in securing part time employment at a seniors’ residence. Currently I facilitate daily activities such as Bingo, other games and a social hour with an emphasis on fun and communication. I really enjoy working with seniors and feel that my knowledge acquired in the social services field is being put to use.

I work two hours per day, four afternoons a week. I have discovered that this can be very demanding of me physically. For example, when I am required to stand a lot and I need to make sure I have time to re-energize. The director of the residence is very accommodating and I have become more comfortable bringing my chair cushion and using my cane, two items which give me support and reduce my pain level. I believe that I am in fact modeling good health maintenance to the seniors.”

–     Marcel