Written by Gay Bruner
Job Developer with Triumph Vocational Services

April 2009

Vince grew up in England and immigrated to Canada to live in the Comox Valley with his family. Vince is kind and funny, with an endearing accent. He rides a scooter and watches Coronation Street. He is the other half of a twin. Vince has cerebral palsy.

Vince came to Triumph Vocational Services to get help to change careers. He had been employed at a local hotel as the night janitor for fourteen years. He, like most others would be, was tired of being a night owl; and had a desire to be awake during the day and to have a social life. When he approached his former supervisor regarding changing his job and his shift, he was told that he wouldn't be able to "keep up" or do another job quickly enough.

With support from the job developer, Vince secured a new job at the Comox Valley Airport as a custodian. He was concerned that people were not going to be able to understand his speech pattern, which was quickly put to rest during the interview. He was also concerned that his jerky movements would put people off-this too was put to rest. The position started as a work experience to see if it would be a good fit both for Vince and for the Airport. "Fit and feel" as Ian Heselgrave, Operations Manager at the Airport would say.

The custodians maintain the general cleanliness of the Airport but are also responsible for meeting and greeting the passengers as they get on and off the planes. Vince had to complete and pass extensive security checks to be able to fully participate in this job. Vince told the Job Developer that for security purposes, "I had to go the RCMP for finger prints. My boss, Ian, took me there and I went in for the finger printing. Because of my CP, I became very tense and wasn't able, even with the help of the finger printer, to make a good print. My new boss came into the room and distracted me by talking about playing darts and they were finally able to get the prints. I felt like a "right idiot".