Fast tracking education

By Dawn Densmore

dens0008@algonquincollege.com

Try to imagine a day when the choice to go to work is taken from you.The job you complained about doing, the workdays you dragged yourself through become a distant memory, and it’s one that you would do now  in a minute if you were still able to.

For Deon St. Michael, 39 a student enrolled in the Fast-Track College Preparation for Workplace Safety and Insurance Board program, this is reality. The program is offered to workers who get injured while on the job, it is part of a labour market re-entry program. It provides an opportunity for the injured worker to explore different employment or education options.

“I had been in the trucking business for 19 years, I loved it and I was good at it,” said St. Michael.

He  crushed his hand while at work one day. Luckily it was his left hand so he can still write,however carrying a bag of milk is a trial, and trucking is no longer an option.

“I was disconnecting a float trailer  from my truck when something went wrong. It jammed my hand and crushed it.  I now have 30 screws and three plates in my hand.  I have had three surgeries so far and might have another, and there is nerve damage too.  I am waiting to go to Kingston to see a specialist around another surgery,” said St. Michael.

Lynne Eagan, co-ordinator  of the fast-track program, is one of the first people an injured worker will meet.  She is not only a teacher, but she’s also a big support to all those she has helped during their  first days “back to school”.

“I don’t think you have any idea when talking about going back to school until you do it.  The program has been like a personal support system for me,” said St. Michael.

“When dealing with injured workers, you have the issues of pain, medication and a major life change.  We are here to assist them through that change, to help focus on a new future and making it viable,” said Eagan.

Cindy Thuswaldner has  taught WSIB students English and computer skills for the past seven years.  She has recently been hired full-time at Algonquin.

“These students have a tremendous number of obstacles to overcome; the physical pain they endure because of injury is only one aspect. Returning to school after being in the workforce for many years is a great source of anxiety, and part of my job was to help them integrate with as much ease as possible back into school life,” she said.  “There are students who don’t make it, but there are many more who persevere through the difficulties and do make it — and there are some great success stories,” said Thuswaldner.  “I thoroughly enjoyed every day that I was in our computer lab classroom. I met many, many wonderful people through the years that I will never forget.”

Eagan talked about the different stages of grieving most go through.  When dealing with an injury that takes away something that the applicant was good at and loved to do, it takes time to get over it.