Celebrating our 25th Year of Service!

With his trademark sense of humour and engaging smile,

Paul Redmond gets the job done.



Paul Redmond has been supported by SCE LifeWorks Individualized Support Services since June, 2004.

Paul is a student in the Campus Life Program at the University of Manitoba. Campus Life is a program that enables Paul to be assisted by a tutor after class.

In addition to university classes, Paul is employed by the Digital Copy Centre, a position he has held since May 2007.  Sheilah Ross-Campbell, the Centre’s Manager, is pleased with the work Paul performs.

“We were approached by a program for campus Life to see what type of work best suited Paul,” says Ross-Campbell. “We decided Paul could perform on campus delivery duties with staff.  Paul picks up a parcel, carries it to the address specified on the label, collects signatures in a special book, and returns and it’s worked out well ever since. Some deliveries are more difficult than others for Paul, as some areas on campus are inaccessible,” Ross-Campbell says.

The University of Manitoba Disability Services Office worked with Paul one summer to map out the accessibility of the tunnels and hallways on campus.  “After completing this project, it’s safe to say that Paul really knows his way around campus,” says Ross-Campbell.  “As a result, he’s able to excel in making deliveries.”

Donna-Jean Krahn, one of Paul’s Individualized Support workers two days per week, assists him in facilitating his work at the University. “I love working with Paul at the University of Manitoba every Tuesday and Thursday,” says Donna-Jean.  “He is a complete joy to be with. While Paul is at the copy centre I help facilitate his work by assisting him with his switch, using hand over hand technique. If Paul has his Dynavox computer at school, it is much better because once I calibrate it to his eyes, he is able to navigate to his work page and speak for himself.” 
                                                                                   

During summer break, Paul volunteers his time at the Mini University Program (Mini U) at University of Manitoba.  He and staff take pictures of activities convening during the numerous children’s programs taking place over the course of Mini U. The staff then selects the best photos for promotional use.

When Paul isn’t busy working or studying, he devotes his time to giving back to the community. He volunteers at Winnipeg Harvest where he sorts donated goods. He also volunteers at the Rehabilitation Centre for Children (RCC).

“At RCC there are many items requiring lamination, such as posters or learning aids,” says Donovan Kroeker, Paul’s Individualized Support staff, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. “Paul is able to cut out the items that have been laminated with assistance from a tool created by the RCC. This tool was created to make options accessible for everyone.”

Paul sets the switch on his lap and presses the button with his hand. Whenever he pushes the button, it provides power to electric scissors that are used to cut the laminated sheet. “The button is hooked up to a timer that supplies power for one minute, following which the button needs to be pressed again,” explains Kroeker. “Paul likes to tease me. Sometimes he refrains from pressing the button when he is supposed to, gives me this sly grin then looks at me and laughs.”

Donovan and Donna-Jean both enjoy the positive working relationships that they have built together with Paul.  Paul appreciates the chance to connect not just with Donovan and Donna-Jean, but with those he meets in the community.

“Wherever we go, Paul really wants to interact, talk and just brighten people’s day,” says Kroker. He wants to say hello to everyone he meets and brings a positive attitude wherever he goes. He has this idea that he wants to be friends with everybody. Getting Paul to laugh any way that I can is the highlight of my day.”

Part of what makes Paul so unique is his method of communication. “He clearly communicates; while he doesn’t use words he does have the assistance of adaptive equipment to express himself and interact with his peers,” says Dana Thiessen, Coordinator, Individualized Support Services, SCE LifeWorks.

“Paul communicates with his facial expression and body language,” adds Kroeker. “He has a beautiful smile and can communicate with his eyes. He has the ability to see everyone in the room, acknowledge their presence and communicate his intention to interact with them. Paul’s smile is so bright that when you walk into the room you notice him,” Thiessen adds.                                                         

When not working or attending classes, Paul enjoys spending time with his family out on the lake in Gimli, congregating with his future roommates and Nintendo Wii.