Working hard to achieve goals
Ryan Roshard (left) works full time at Costco as a front end assistant.
By Karen Adkin, Program Manager, SMART Options
After completing high school, Ryan Roshard of Kamloops chose to focus on his abilities, rather than his hearing impairment and developmental disability, by setting three goals for himself: 1. To eventually secure full time employment; 2. To make enough money to get off of government disability assistance; 3. To obtain his drivers license, purchase a truck and pay it off.
With assistance from SMART Options, Supported Employment Services, Ryan was able to transition from school to the world of work.
Ryan’s first couple of jobs were seasonal; one working in an outdoor nursery and the next painting over graffiti in partnership with the City of Kamloops. With his goals in mind he wanted more permanent employment and we worked together to apply at Costco as a lot attendant. He worked part time for a couple of years in this position. Not working as many hours as he would like, he pursued Costco management and asked to be moved into a more permanent position inside Costco.
He secured a front end assistant job. This entailed packing groceries, price checking, collecting and exchanging items for customers and general clean up of the front end area of the store. By working full time at Costco, Ryan has been able to achieve his first two goals.
Ryan says that all the staff are friendly and fun to work with. What he likes most about his job is the work hours. He works mainly from 11:00 am to 7:30 pm, five days a week.“Of course the money isn’t too bad either,” he adds.
Ryan’s coworkers say he is hardworking, cooperative and reliable. They can ask him to do anything and the job gets done quickly and efficiently.
Ryan studied the driver’s manual and obtained his driver’s license a number of years ago. He paid off his first older truck, sold it, and then purchased a new 2010 GMC Canyon while also contributing annually to the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP). He checked off his third goal by paying off his old truck and is now on track to achieve his new goal of paying off his new truck.
When not at work, Ryan’s main hobby is working on his huge model train set. He has pretty much taken over the basement of his mother’s Kamloops home creating an entire city surrounded by railways. On his days off in the summer he likes to go to Shuswap Lake to fish, swim and relax.
Through focus and hard work, Ryan has reached his goals.
