I completed Grade 12 at O’Leary High School in 1986, and then attended Grant MacEwan College for 2 ½ years obtaining a Micro Computer Management Certificate.
| I am 41 years old, have CP (cerebral palsy) since birth, and need assistance with everything. For communicating, I use a wordboard to spell out words. I also use a Vanguard speech box which I program to speak for me, and to control my TV, stereo, air conditioner, lights, etc. I use a power wheelchair to get around (also have a manual wheelchair as a backup). I completed Grade 12 at O’Leary High School in 1986, and then attended Grant MacEwan College for 2 ½ years obtaining a Micro Computer Management Certificate. |
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Right after completing high school, I moved out from home into the McQueen group home where I lived for 3 ½ years. I then moved into the Artspace Co-op
apartment building (downtown, just off 95th Street & Jasper Avenue) when it opened in November 1990. It is still my home.
Click here
for a map.
In 1993 I was employed under contract with Transport Canada for nine months, doing computer programming. I have not been employed since that contract ended.
Presently my income is $1,088/month, combined from CPP Disability and
AISH. In addition, Homecare provides my funding so that I can hire a Caregiver or
Personal Care Attendant (PCA).
I’ve been doing volunteer computer work (at home) for various agencies over the years, like Tools for Peace (they no longer exist), the Red Cross, Edmonton Police Service, and the Sexual Assault Centre, to name a few.
I use my computer daily for volunteer work and for communicating with family and friends. I use it to dial my phone, and with the Vanguard speech box and my speakerphone I make my own DATS bookings and also to communicate with family and friends.
I also write lyrics to songs.
I’m a big music fan, especially Elvis and Bruce Springsteen. I also like to attend the concerts that come to town, sometimes alone, or with my sister or my parents, or with another companion. My sister & her friend take me on outings and movies occasionally.
I’m also a sports fan, particularly football. I’ve been going to Eskimo football games since I was 4 years old, knew all the players in the glory days (1978-1982), go out to their practices occasionally, and still keep in touch with Tom Wilkinson and Dave Cutler.
I like the Oilers, the Blue Jays, and the L.A. Lakers, and watch most of their games when they’re on TV.
In June 1999, when on an outing to the Waterpark at West Edmonton Mall with my
Personal Care Attendant, I fell out of my power wheelchair because she had forgotten to do up my seatbelt. I hit my head on the concrete floor, which caused some damage to my neck. Since then, I’ve had constant pain in my right buttock, thigh, leg, and
foot, and other symptoms related to the fall.
Over the past nine years, I’ve been through numerous diagnostics and various treatments to help relieve the constant pain, but nothing has worked.
For almost four years I had not lived at Artspace, but with my parents as we
went from doctor to doctor.
With various medications and by using a heating pad on my thigh, I’ve learned to manage the pain somewhat, and have moved back to my apartment at
Artspace in July 2003.
I wear a Medic-Alert neck chain because I am allergic to foods with nuts. If I eat some accidentally, then I have trouble breathing, and I need to take an antihistamine to get through it.
I also have an EpiPen in case of an emergency.
To transfer me, use the standing pivot transfer method. I can bear full weight on my legs, but I cannot control my balance.
We've recently installed a ceiling track lift to help transfer me if you cannot
do the standing pivot transfer.
I am fully continent and neither use a catheter nor a diaper.
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I need a PCA for personal care, meal prep and feeding, administering the medications from a dosette, housekeeping, laundry, and to be a companion throughout the
day and evening. My current Homecare funding allows me to pay $15/hour.
My preference is for a female aide for the day shift, and a
male aide for the evening shift, who:
 | speak English as a first language (to be able to compose words and sentences as I spell them out on my wordboard) |
| must be a non-smoker |
| have current security clearance (or be able to get it) |
| can provide at least one reference from a previous employer |
I am of the Roman Catholic faith.
You can me for any further information.
Best Regards,
Jason Homyshin
