As a paralegal and business owner, Melissa Conners navigates the Canadian justice system, as well as navigating how to overcome the physical limitations she sustained in her near-fatal car accident of 2007. She sustained a serious brain injury that changed her life. As a student in Humber College’s Police Foundation program at the time of the accident, Melissa was on the verge of launching her career in police services. But instead of her intended graduation celebration, Melissa had to face her new physical reality – intense migraines, a noticeable change in personality, and hip replacement surgery. She re-focused her studies on becoming a paralegal, as she came to terms with the reality of her health. Melissa has learned what accommodations she needs, and has built a successful career around new ways of working.
Melissa recognizes there is still stigma out there following people with disabilities when they’re looking for work. “Employers who’ve never worked with a person with a disability are less understanding.
Melissa has had to apply creative thinking to overcome the barriers she’s faced. The challenge now is for employers to show the same persistent and creative thinking and to see the ability in people with disability.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-conners-b74785152/?originalSubdomain=ca