Linda used to work as a pharmacist but had to stop due to severe pain in her hands and wrists.

“I live with chronic pain in my hands, feet, and hips from previous injuries. It is very difficult for me to use a mouse and keyboard, to use a pen to write, to hold and use my smart phone, to sit for prolonged periods of time or to stand for prolonged periods of time,” she says from Richmond. “As a result, working at a computer station is very difficult for me. For a long time, I was not volunteering or working as a result of these limitations.”

• Read More

Justina works part-time as a medical office assistant at a physiotherapy clinic in Comox. Her job includes everything from cleaning and dressing the patient rooms, answering the phones, and taking payment for appointments.

However, the job is physically demanding and taxing on her body.

“I have struggled with lower back pain for more than a decade, which affects my ability to lift heavy objects, as well as stand or sit for long periods of time,” she explains. “I also have extremely painful planters fasciitis, flat feet (no arches), weak ankles, and heel spurs which affects my ability to stand or be on my feet for long periods of time.

• Read More

Karman works as a Business Development and Communications Coordinator for a non-profit organization in Victoria.

“I have lower spinal and cervical spinal injuries, a degenerative condition in lower spine, and sacroiliac joints and chronic pain,” she explains.

She learned about WorkBC Assistive Technology Services from a conversation with a program representative and decided to give it a try for herself. She was assessed by the Assistive Technology Services team to find the right ergonomic and assistive technology solutions for her.

• Read More

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.

• Read More

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.

• Read More

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.”

• Read More

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.

• Read More

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.’

• Read More

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.

• Read More

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.

• Read More