Adrienne and her daughter Sara both have a learning disability (new window). They were introduced to the Neil Squire Society through the Footprints Centre in Penticton (new window), British Columbia. While participating in the Distance Computer Comfort Program, Adrienne and Sara learned how to use different online resources like Google (new window), email, and Facebook (new window). “There were some days where I could throw my computer out,” says Adrienne. “But Gordon, the Distance Computer Comfort Program Coordinator, is my life line. When I feel like I am a sinking ship, not able to able to figure something out, I’ll email him.”

Sara is unable to speak, but with help from the Distance Computer Comfort Program, Sara was reading, and eventually speaking. “We’d like to continue learning through the Distance Computer Comfort Program. I see people like Sara advancing her abilities in reading, math, and speaking, so we are always looking online to see what else is available,” says Sara’s mother Adrienne.

Adrienne also participated in the Employ-Ability Program. She currently volunteers with the Penticton Indian Band (new window) and hopes to take on more volunteer opportunities. “We’ve both changed a lot. We’ve grown in ways that we didn’t think we could,” says Adrienne with enthusiasm.