Food for Thought
January 1, 2007
How Easter Seals and SMD helped one consumer find “Good Thymes” at work
“I love it! I can’t say anything more than I love it!”
That’s the way John Legros feels about his job at the Good Thymes Restaurant and Bar in The Pas, Manitoba. And it shows – he’s there when the restaurant opens, helping with food preparation, washing dishes, cleaning…doing whatever needs doing.
He laughs, “Some people think, ‘Oh, man! I have to go to work’ but I don’t have that attitude!”
John’s love of the restaurant business goes way back. John was diagnosed with Cross Parapalegia following a head injury that limited the use of his left arm. He decided to take a restaurants and services course at a local trade school in Ontario. When he moved to Manitoba, he wanted to upgrade his education and experiences by taking a similar program.
He connected with a job hunting program that then referred him to SMD where, thanks in part to funding provided through Easter Seals, he received a Vocational Assessment and began a commercial cooking program at the College University of the North in The Pas.
When the program was discontinued, John didn’t get discouraged. Instead, he decided to find a way to keep doing what he loved doing. Working with SMD and Easter Seals funding, he was able to secure a training-on-the-job situation at Good Thymes – and he loves everything about the place.
“I really like the environment and the people are really good to me,” says John. “They treat me like one of the family.”
“They opened up their arms, they treat me like an individual. It’s very comforting to know there are people out there who are going to treat me as a person.”
John feels the support Easter Seals provides is an important element in helping people find work and, through work, a different perspective on life.
“I think it’s good to have people occupy their minds and doing things,” says John. “I know I don’t like to stay home and do nothing. I like to get out and prove myself.”
“I think everybody should give people a chance like that.”
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