Ryan, who’s 19 years old, has right side hemiplegia (new window), a partial paralysis of one side of the body that results from disease of or injury to the motor centers of the brain. It doesn’t affect his daily life much, however he does rely heavily on his left side to do tasks, and tasks that require two hands are quite challenging to complete.

During high school, Ryan worked at a restaurant, but the restaurant closed and he found himself unemployed. He then joined the Neil Squire Society’s Employ-Ability Program which he graduated from at the end of 2013. “I learned quite a bit about how to find a job and learned how to deal with clients and how not to get frustrated,” he tells us of his time in the Program.

Ryan is currently going to Douglas College (new window), taking classes at both the Coquitlam and New Westminster campuses. He’s also working as a Distance Computer Comfort Tutor, teaching people with disabilities basic computer skills through the Neil Squire Society and the Vancouver Community Network (new window).

“I had a goal of getting a job through the training I had received at the Neil Squire Society, which I eventually got. I am quite happy that I get to help people with disabilities as part of my job,” shares Ryan. “My plan for the future is to get my diploma in Therapeutic Recreation (new window) and work in recreation centers with peoples with disabilities helping them with sports.”

Good luck, Ryan!