When Cindy finished the course she could not find a job. Many people can type more than 28 words a minute. She became discouraged. She didn't think she would ever get a job. After a while Cindy stopped looking. She was in too much pain. She had to take anti-inflammatory drugs and lots of Tylenol. Sometimes she had painful flare-ups that lasted two or three days. Cindy was forced to live on social assistance.

In 1986, Cindy joined the Longside Club in St. John's. This club provides recreational and employment opportunities for people with all kinds of disabilities. Cindy did office work and answered the phone. Then she got a job working as an actor in a Longside Club play. Cindy discovered that she was a good actor and singer. People who saw her perform were impressed. Cindy enjoyed being an actor, but it was not a permanent job. Like many of her other jobs, this was a short term project. Performing was fun and exciting. It helped increase Cindy's confidence. But acting could not provide her with a steady living.

Cindy's legs grew stiffer and more sore. Doctors suggested she have her hips replaced. Cindy agreed. The operations were painful. She had long stays in the hospital. But the operations were successful. Now she can get around much better. Many things, however, are still difficult. She has a lot of pain in her neck and shoulders. Nothing seems to help.

Cindy still wants to find work. She knows that a full time job would probably be too hard for her. She needs a job that will let her set her own hours. "I'd like to be a counsellor," she says. "I'd like to help people who are going through the same things I am." But to be a counsellor Cindy would need more education. After her university experience, she's not sure if she could handle school. "I know I'm smart enough," she says. "But with arthritis, what are little things for most people, are often big things for me." Cindy is trying to be realistic. She would like to start her own business. At the moment she is being considered for a government plan that helps people with disabilities set up small businesses. "I'm hopeful that something will come out of it," she says. "I don't want to sit around all day on social assistance. I know I've got something to give."

Fred Williams

Fred Williams was born in Flowers Cove, Newfoundland in 1953. When he was one year old, his family moved to Current Island, just off Newfoundland's Great Northern Peninsula. In 1953 there were between 100-150 people on Current Island. Like many Newfoundland communities of the time there was no electricity or running water. People used wells, kerosene lamps and wood stoves. There were no cars. Current Island was quiet and beautiful. It was a good place for children to grow up.