Vocational Success in Manitoba
A purple pink gradient lies behind two photos. In the upper right, Hannah, a Deaf Manitoban, smiles while in virtual conversation. In the lower left, Tim looks warmly at the viewer while posing in front of a green tree.
Life can come full circle when you aren’t expecting it, and that was the case for Hannah, a young occupational therapist who was once a client and now works alongside Manitoba Possible staff delivering services to northern communities as part of Jordan’s Principle (with Rehab Centre for Children) in addition to working with our recreation and leisure teams.
Hannah heard about Manitoba Possible’s Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program through a Deaf and hard of hearing consultant at her high school when discussing her goals for the future. Besides assisting adults with disabilities to find, obtain and maintain employment across the province, the VR program can also support clients in finding financial support and access to services when pursuing education or training.
Hannah reached out and began her journey with her VR counsellor, who assisted in eliminating barriers related to the stress of working while in school.
“One thing that I realized I was really struggling with was listening fatigue. Through vocational rehab and being able to have financial support from them, it allowed me to study versus spending so much time working, which would have contributed to listening fatigue. It really helped revitalize my mind.”
“I noticed I would get home from school and be very exhausted – I find that it’s hard to listen to people talk and try to put together words and sentences, especially if it’s someone’s voice that I don’t know.”
Knowing that someone was in her corner to support her during her education made Hannah feel at ease, and she recommends anyone who may be eligible to reach out and see if the program is a good fit for them – there’s no fee for service.
Tim, a Manitoba Possible Westman Office Vocational Rehabilitation Client, looks warmly at the camera. He is posed against a large green tree with his shoulders slightly turned.
Available across the province, the VR program assisted Westman client, Tim, in navigating learning disabilities and a shoulder injury through career changes and growth. Creating a plan is one of the core goals of the program, and for Tim, his plan shaped his life from finishing high school to getting a college certificate, to entrepreneurship, and now making his way to management in retail.
“I didn’t think I was going to be a grade twelve graduate, a college student, run my own business without the help of Krista (Westman’s VR Counsellor), and everyone who backed me and pushed me forward.”