Jody is an award winning writer and communications specialist who came into the Neil Squire Society’s Job Focus Program after she contracted rheumatoid arthritis (new window). The condition affected her wrists and she found that she could no longer physically handle the volume of word processing demanded of a writer. As a result, she was unemployed and thought she could no longer work.

The Job Focus Program Vocational Rehabilitation Consultant introduced her to the concept of voice activated software. They facilitated training for her on this software, and arranged an equipment loan from Assistive Technology BC (new window).

Meanwhile, the Employment Specialist contacted the TB Vets (new window) who wanted to hire some people for their mail room. He presented a number of candidates, but he also presented Jody’s case to fulfill their need for a communications expert. The Employment Specialist received a positive response, and arranged an interview for Jody, and also helped her secure a Targeted Wage Subsidy (new window) through another agency. The subsidy is now over, and Jody is working 4 days per week and earning a substantial salary.

Jody wrote in her Blog (new window) “Job Focus made a career future possible for me. How can I say thank you? The words are inadequate. Through them, I found the job that I start next week. They gave me my life back. Mike and Joe, God bless you!”