Neale began working in a saw shop at the age of 14. He knew quite early in his life that working in the woods would be his passion. In the early 1970s Neale graduated from high school and decided to study Diesel Engine Fuel Systems (new window) at a local trade school. Over the next 40 years, Neale was a skidder operator (new window), wood cutter and a feller aka lumberjack. In his spare time, Neale spends time with his 2 children, works around the home, splits wood, reads and does crossword puzzles.

Neale came to the Neil Squire Society (new window) after seeing an advertisement in the local newspaper. He had been out of work for 5 years due to carpal tunnel syndrome (new window), a shoulder injury and osteoarthritis (new window) in both hips.

After entering the Working Together Program, Neale was ready to work with our Job Developer and explore employers and businesses that that would relate to the work he had done in the past. In March of 2014, Neale accepted a position with a local forestry operation. Neale says that he is really enjoying his new role at the mill and is very grateful for the opportunity that the Neil Squire Society (new window) has provided. Although his new position is quite different from the hands on work he is accustom to, he is very excited to have the opportunity to continue using the knowledge and skills he has acquired over the last 40 years.

Neale’s experience with the Neil Squire Society has been very positive and he would recommend the Working Together Program to anyone with a disability looking for employment. When asked, Neale would tell anyone in a similar situation to “never give up”.