What's Been Up Lately

Photo from a recent trip to the Museum of Nature

I was reading the blog the other day and realized that over the last few months, I've written almost exclusively about my placement, but nothing else.

So, aside from the placement, the last month or so has been pretty interesting, and I did a few (to me, anyway) major new things.

From the end of July until the second week in August, I stayed home alone while my family was down east. Between the placement, saving for next summer's Joubert conference in Phoenix, and a few other things I had going on, I just thought a staycation would be more convenient.

However, unlike other solo staycation's I've had, I wasn't just lounging around the house for a week doing nothing.

That first weekend, I went to see the latest Star Trek movie with a new group of people I had met on a group for single/social nerds of Ottawa-Gatineau. Yes, you read that correctly, I joined a singles group. I had been on the group a few days earlier, and had seen a discussion between several members living in my part of the city. A few said they were seeing a movie over the weekend and asked if anyone wanted to join them. After what seemed to be a long while of nervousness and hesitation, I said I'd like to go, and I did. It was a pretty big step, and I look forward to similar activities in the future, if they happen.

That Monday was a holiday but Employment Services was open, so I decided to go in to make up some hours and keep to a routine. There were only three other people there, so it was pretty relaxed and I got to leave a bit early.

Later in the week, I had a meeting with folks from Abilities First Ottawa, a local organization that helps people with disabilities become more independent, to go over plans for their annual barbeque fundraiser in September. I had been given info about them during a networking workshop for my placement, and contacted them shortly after. The woman I contacted, who's the group's executive director, was very interested in my speaking and writing, and encouraged me to participate.

The meeting went well. The fundraiser seems like it will be a great event. The people involved are pretty nice too, and immediately welcomed me into the "family" with a late dinner at East Side Mario's (Italian restaurant)! Was initially hesitant to go to dinner but, like with the movie, I sucked it up and had fun.

Along with all this, the universe had another new experience in store for me! Near the end of the week, I had and interview with a woman from Citizen Advocacy, another Ottawa-based disability organization. The week before, I had sent an email asking for information about a job posting. Unfortunately, I didn't meet the exact qualifications for the position. Fortunately though, the woman who replied was very interested in my speaking, writing, and workshops, and wanted to meet to talk about it!

During the interview, I was told that my advocacy background would be a perfect fit for an transitioning event Citizen Advocacy has coming up, and the woman who met with me wanted me to send her more information on the topics I've covered in the past to present me as a speaker to some of her co-workers. Best of all, she thinks this could maybe (knock on wood) lead to paid work with the organization! Still waiting on this, so fingers crossed.

And, that's about it. Like I said in my last post, no paid work yet, but stuff's certainly starting to happen!

Cheers

Placement Wrap-up

Last Wednesday was the final day of my placement with Pinecrest Queensway's Employment Services, and it was a pretty good day. Everyone there was super-nice and appreciative of the work I did over the three-month period. Some of them even offered to keep an eye out for any jobs that might interest me. I also got a nice thank-you card and cookies before I left!

This placement was my first experience working somewhere for more than one day a week, and I learnt a lot. The biggest experience was obviously the opportunity to research, create, and present a professional workshop.

Even though it would have been great to have been able to present more, the important thing is I did it. I got some excellent feedback, and my skills as a presenter even got me an interview with a local disability organization, who think I'd be a good speaker for an upcoming event (more on this in a later post)!

The second big thing I was tasked with, was maintaining the center's Twitter page. Before this placement, I had only used Twitter once before, a few years ago for a one-month online course and even then I never really used it often. So, I was very surprised by how quickly I took to it.

Before actually posting anything, I had been asked to develop a social media plan in order to update the center's account. I came up with ideas to post things like daily motivational quotes, sayings, and photos, usually related to employment, links to local employment and networking events, tips and lists, and success stories. It wound up being kind of fun, and everyone at the center immediately recognized and praised my efforts!

#SoAmIATwitNow?

 Along with the work itself, I had to participate in bi-weekly peer support meetings. These gave participants the opportunity to share what everyone was doing and engage in workshops about topics like interviews, dealing with stress, and networking. The networking workshop was incredibly useful, and led to both an interview and volunteer opportunities with a local disability organization.

In the abstract sense, the entire placement experience was also a motivator. I don't do well without some kind of routine, and the placement allowed me to get into a pretty good one. Four hours for three days a week, up early, bus there and back (Para Transpo was almost always on time, too!), all for three whole months.

Now that it's done, I'm trying to ride this routine, and the burst of productivity it's given me, for as long as I can!

I don't have any paid work yet, but I do feel I'm a couple steps closer to finding it. At the very least, this placement has helped me to zero in on what I really want to do and go from there.

Overall, it was a really good experience, and I would definitely recommend this type of program to anyone with a disability looking for a job, or even just experience.

Cheers!