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Trillium In The News
Blair Beach: A Man on The Move!
These days, working fifteen years with one employer is a great accomplishment. For Blair Beach, this is an even greater achievement. Some said that it couldn't be done, but Blair has never let his intellectual disability stand in the way. Blair gives 100% to his job at the Trillium
In 1984 supported employment was a new concept. After being approached by Community Living Mississauga, the Trillium Health Centre decided to take a chance and hire Blair. Right from the first day on the job Blair exceeded all expectations. All the employees at the hospital, especially Guy Black, his supervisor, have been very supportive. "He fit in on that very first day, that's just the way it was," said
In the beginning Blair was assigned a support worker, a
person who would assist him on the job. However, he showed
up early on his first day, met with his new boss and started
work. His support worker, who had been waiting outside, thought
Blair was late and started to worry. She went inside to explain
this to his new employer, only to find Blair hard at work
and doing a fine job!
Being a pioneer is not always easy. Blair had to not only
prove he could do the job, but he also had to change attitudes
about the stereotypes of people with Down syndrome. It did
not take long before his co-workers discovered that Blair
was able to provide a valuable service to the hospital.
Today Blair is competitively paid, and is a member of the union with full time benefits and holidays. He has become a familiar and reliable face at the hospital, from the Neo Natal to the Intensive Care Unit. In June 2002, he received a fifteen-year service award.
Blair is very proud of his
award and takes great pride in his accomplishments. He knows
everyone is confident that
when they call the Supplies Department, looking for materials,
they can count on Blair for accurate and prompt delivery
service. Everyone looks forward to seeing Blair, a person
on whom they have come to rely, "no one can replace
him," say many of his co-workers.