SUCCESS STORY - MATT KAMEZI
TLC is a program that works with clients to help them be able to live independently. I was set up in my apartment, supervised and assessed to ensure that I could cook for myself safely, manage my finances, keep my apartment clean and organized, plan for grocery shopping and handle regular day to day living.
I was encouraged to get a gym membership and continue a regular exercise schedule and keep myself busy with productive activities. I was taken to outside medical treatments and therapy at places such as Easy street. I went to a preliminary assessment of things like motor skills and logic reasoning at the Health Science Centre where they helped to determine the areas that needed the most attention. TLC helped me set up and get to the appointments I needed.
 I was helped with and tested on monitoring my spending and keeping track of my finances. I had to prepare a report, which included receipts, with itemised spending to be sent to EIA to show how the monthly money I was receiving was being used.
I was helped to become familiar with the city and getting around by bus. I was taken by a staff member on the bus to different places around the city. They had me plan out the routes myself and coordinate the buses and the times. We went to places such as the University of Winnipeg because I was interested in getting back in school and continuing my education.
As time went on and my progress continued it was clear that I was almost ready to graduate from the TLC program. I was helped to prepare my resume and look for jobs. I wrote up the first draft of my resume and was helped in the editing and format. I was taken around to different businesses to drop off my resume and meet with the managers. I was also given the task of going out to places by myself and returning and reporting which jobs I had applied for.
I got a call back and went into an interview for Sears. I dressed up in my nice clothes and went into the interview. It went well and I was offered a job in Major appliances as a salesperson. I began my training in March 2008 and in April became the new Commission Sales Professional. I have showed success in this position and I am presently still working there.
In September I signed up for classes at the University of Winnipeg and started to get back to my studies. I have been attending the university since September and having success in my studies. I am presently studying Math.
My accident has been a very humbling experience. I always remember how lucky I got and how lucky I am to have made such a substantial recovery. Most people don’t have the chance to make a full recovery. I am very thankful to all the people who have helped me. Firstly I owe everything to my mother and to my family for never giving up on me, helping me when the accident first happened and getting me up to Canada for treatment.
I will always remember the great care I received, first at Riverview Healthcare Center and then in the TLC program. The TLC staff was kind and gave me the support and help I needed to achieve my goals. I was made to take responsibility and do things for myself. The TLC program helped me with my recovery and be able to live independently again. It is apparent the staff at TLC care about their clients and have their best interests at heart. Not only did they help me to heal they became my friends.
-- Matt Kamezi, Participant of the Transitional Living Centre’s Rehabilitation Program
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