Tammy was inspired to join our Creative Employment Options program in April, after seeing a commercial for Neil Squire while watching TV on a Sunday night.
Tammy had a fall in 2020, resulting in permanent nerve damage affecting her dominant hand and causing chronic pain. She had to relearn how to do everything in her life using her weaker and non-dominant hand. Tammy wanted to find a full-time position in the human services sector where she would be seen for who she is and not just her barrier.
From the beginning, Tammy always expressed appreciation for the help she received and maintained a positive attitude. She started the program by updating her resume and learning how to tailor cover letters to the jobs she wanted to apply for.
She then focused on her interviewing skills and how to answer behavior-based interview questions using the STAR method. She also learned about disability disclosure and asking for accommodations in the workplace.
After exploring different career options, Tammy hoped that the passion she had for helping others through her volunteer work would translate into securing a similar paid position. She researched and determined that a disability support worker would allow her to use her personal lived experience to help impact and motivate others.
Tammy’s tenacity paid off when she interviewed at an employment support agency that helps people with developmental disabilities in Lethbridge, Alberta. Though Tammy did not have field experience, she impressed the hiring managers with her enthusiasm and perseverance.
She was offered a role as a full-time administrative and community disabilities support worker, and was happy to accept. Some of her duties include doing reception, community outreach, assisting individuals to learn needed life skills, providing resources, and job coaching.
Tammy requested smaller and more frequent breaks for an accommodation as she adjusts to the physicality of full-time employment.
“I don’t know where I would be without the support I received through the [Creative Employment Options] program,” she says.
