Lonnie was diagnosed with congestive heart failure, chronic renal failure, and type two diabetes in 2018, forcing him to find a new career.

“This had left me with life changing circumstances where I found myself looking for a new career because physical work was no longer an option,” he explains, noting he also has hearing loss in his right ear.

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Bradley works as a rehab equipment sales rep in New Westminster, helping clients and therapists find the right equipment for mobility, safety, and quality of life.

As an incomplete paraplegic with a T8, T9 spinal cord injury, he brings a vast knowledge and personal experience to his work.

“Without the proper equipment for my mobility I couldn’t do the job,” he explains.

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Judy works as an outreach worker at a non-profit in Salmon Arm, supporting young parents and their children in one-on-one sessions. Her work involves a lot of time on the computer, filing documentation and reports on her sessions with clients.

She has Mixed Connective Tissue Disease, making long days on the computer difficult.

“I deal with chronic nerve pain and fatigue,” Judy explains. “Repetitive actions, weather and stress tend to flare up my nerves, so proper ergonomic supports help me immensely.”

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After “many years” out of the workforce, Roberta was entering training through WorkBC to work part time from her home in Port Alberni.

She has Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, which can make her studies difficult.

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Peter is the president of a 20-person engineering company in Burnaby. Taking on duties on both the engineering side and managerial side, Peter’s job involves a lot of meetings with customers for tech support and sales purposes, as well as with his employees.

However, Peter has a hearing disability, and he is unable to hear higher frequency sounds. This particularly affects his ability to hear consonants like ‘t’ and ‘s.’

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Kate works at the customer service desk at a large retail chain store in Enderby.

She has used a wheelchair for over 35 years after suffering a spinal cord injury at the L1 level.

“My shoulders, hands and back give me a lot of trouble now due to overuse over the years. I do a lot of lifting and moving around the store while working. I leave work feeling so much pain that getting my wheelchair in the car to go home had become a real problem. Sometimes I needed to ask for help,” she shares.

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Ginevra is an outreach worker at the Powell River Brain Injury Society. Her duties range from assisting clients in activities like arts and crafts and preparing lunches, to gathering client information during the intake process.

“I have Recurrent Transverse Myelitis, which is a neurological condition in my spine that affects various peripheral nerves in my body. I experience numbness and lack of dexterity in my hands, especially my dominant hand,” she explains.

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Moore works at a watch repair shop in downtown Victoria, where he does everything from selling watches, to taking in repairs, changing batteries, as well as working on more complicated repairs.

“I have a stutter which has impeded my speech since I was born. In the workplace, this has impacted nearly every interaction I have, especially with the public,” he explains.

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Using his knowledge of design and construction, Alfred recently started a business, Accessible Places, to help people with disabilities and seniors by assessing homes and buildings for accessibility, using Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification standards.

“Having had a stroke in 2016, I am trying to give back to my community by helping others have a more accessible and inclusive life at home,” he explains.

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Carissa works full-time with the student union at a college near her home in Cumberland, BC.

“I live with impaired hearing with sensory processing disorder. Sounds have a visceral effect on my body and experience. I am emotionally affected by sounds, and at times have difficulties deescalating from loud, unpredictable sounds,” she explains.

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