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Her job means she can be challenged and accepted
FOCUS ON EMPLOYMENT
Lynetta is the eldest of four kids who were transplanted from a family farm in Saskatchewan to Edgewater in order for her parents to find work to support their brood.
Lynetta is now in her early 50s and as you may know support for any special needs kid was nonexistent back when she was in school. To say that school was a frustration for Lynetta would be a vast understatement. She feels she was just “passed along” in school cause they didn’t know what else to do with her up until Grade 8 when her parents were told not to send her anymore – there was nothing more they could do for her.
Lynetta’s family did find a boarding home in Kamloops so she could attend Overlander Secondary School for special needs kids.
Lynetta moved back home with her parents after “graduating” but she was bored and all she wanted was a normal life, meaning a job and friends. To that end she moved into an Invermere apartment. She did manage to find some jobs with help there but they were most often volunteer positions, which she views as not real jobs. She moved to Cranbrook eight years ago and sees her friends and boyfriend, Norman, all the time.
As she lives on a PWD pension, Lynetta said she feels valued when she is earning real pay for real work and the extra money makes a huge difference in the quality of her life.
For Lynetta, a regular job means one where she can be challenged and accepted for her diverse abilities. She has worked at REALM as a receptionist for the past seven years. She works Tuesdays thru Fridays from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., answering phones, taking messages, dealing with guests to REALM and other office tasks as assigned.
Lynetta also serves on a CLBC committee as a peer and self- advocate and so, gets to attend meetings and conferences as well as supporting younger individuals who may need help figuring out the system and/or asserting themselves.
Lynette loves her jobs most days although as she says “ everyone has bad days but once in a while”. She feels she has gained a lot of self- esteem thru working not to mention the extra income which allows her to finally have a savings account and make plans for her life. She sees her extended family often and is Aunt Lynetta to lots of nieces and nephews.
Submitted by Kootenay Friends of REALM
