Health Sciences Centre opens doors to interns with developmental disabilities

Katie Bankowski is graduating from Sturgeon Heights Collegiate Wednesday, and up until recently, the 18-year-old student with developmental disabilities and her family were unsure about where she would go after high school.

Bankowski's mom, Tracey Miller is thrilled that she's been picked to intern at the Health Science Centre this fall. Miller is grateful for the program which is called Project Search.  The program aims to help students with disabilities transition from school to work.

"I don't know where she would be," said Miller who is quick to point out her daughter's strengths which include strong tactile and motor skills and getting things done.

Since Bankowski has a difficult time reading and processing information she has a much easier time grasping new concepts if she gets instructions verbally.

Bankowski has been on an individual education plan since kindergarten and has relied on education assistants to help break down what she needed to learn into small chunks.

As one of 11 students participating in the one-year program, Bankowski will get the chance to learn relevant marketable skills in a hospital environment.

HSC is the first hospital in Canada to to partner with Project Search, The program is run at 300 sites around the world. 

HSC chief operating officer Dana Erickson says the hospital often acts as the health care provider for people with disabilities and this unique partnership is a great opportunity to provide a different kind of service.

"People can identify with these young people. It's a reflection of our community that there are people of all walks and paths and I think generally, people can understand and identify and see a great opportunity to support people," said Erickson.

Fellow intern Keera Lyall loved her time at Westwood Collegiate. She took drama, band and choir is now really looking forward to working in the largest hospital in Manitoba. 

"I would love to help people out. That's all I would like to do is help people out and make new friends," said Lyall. 

More than 40 hospital departments volunteered to take on interns. The students will work six hours a day, Monday to Friday. The plan so far is to have them rotate through patient services, occupational therapy, human resources, nutrition and emergency services.

Bankowski, who considered applying to a similar program at Manitoba Hydro, picked the hospital because she knows some of the staff and looks up to them. She says she is excited about her placement because it's somewhere she feels comfortable.

"I don't get stressed out and I don't get lost around the hospital. It's easy," said Bankowski.

Miller says her daughter would be suited to work alongside hospital staff assisting with equipment. 

"It's very exciting for me as a parent because I can actually kind of see her future," said Miller.  

Lyall too is hoping her internship could lead to something more permanent at the hospital.

"I hope to find a job and to see where my life goes as I grow into an adult," said Lyall.

Bankowski says she isn't sure where she will start her internship in September she is hoping to get a chance to work with children.