When Mark, 43, first came to Truwell, he was dealing with challenges that touched almost every part of his day.
A few years earlier, a serious health event changed his life overnight. Simple tasks took longer. His energy came and went unpredictably. Standing for long periods was difficult. Some days he moved well; other days he needed support just to get through basic routines.
Because of these limitations, he hadn't worked in nearly four years.
He missed the structure of having a job, but the thought of returning to work with his body no longer operating the way it used to felt intimidating and risky. He worried he wouldn't keep up, or that employers wouldn't understand what he needed.
Most programs he tried in the past focused on speed, paperwork, or "finding something fast." None of them took time to understand what he physically could or couldn't do.
By the time he was referred to Truwell, Mark felt like his health had quietly closed the door on employment altogether.
A First Meeting That Finally Made Sense
At Truwell, Mark met Maria, an Employment Specialist from our employment services program who approached things differently.
She didn't rush him. She didn't push him. She didn't expect him to "bounce back."
Instead, she asked questions no one else had asked:
- "What movements or tasks cause strain?"
- "Which parts of the day are your strongest?"
- "Where do you feel most comfortable working?"
- "What pace feels safe for your body?"
- "What type of environment helps you stay steady?"
She paid attention to how he sat, how he shifted his weight, and how he paused when describing certain tasks. She honored the physical reality he lived with — not the old expectations he felt pressured to meet.
Over several meetings, Mark opened up about:
- needing regular seated breaks
- difficulty with bending and lifting
- slower walking speed
- days when he had much less stamina
- needing predictable routines so he could pace himself
Instead of seeing these as obstacles, Maria treated them as guidelines — the blueprint for finding work that fit his health, not work he had to force his body into.
Discovering Work That Supports His Health, Not Strains It
Together, they explored roles with:
- low physical strain
- opportunities to sit when needed
- clear routines
- a slower, steady pace
- supportive supervisors
- meaningful, light-duty tasks
One option stood out: a part-time Activities Assistant position at a small senior living community.
It wasn't strenuous. It allowed him to sit while engaging with residents. It involved gentle movement but no heavy tasks. It offered flexible pacing and a warm, supportive staff.
Mark had never considered this kind of work before — but the more he learned, the more it felt like something he could genuinely enjoy and sustain physically.
Maria helped him prepare for the interview in a way that honored his limitations, including how to talk about what he needed at work without feeling embarrassed or "less than."
The Outcome: Work That Takes His Health Into Account
A few weeks later, Mark started the job.
It was the first time in years he felt capable instead of limited.
The work fit his stamina. The schedule didn't overwhelm his body. He could sit when he needed to. He could move at his own pace. He felt valued, not judged.
With Truwell's employment services and ongoing support, Mark:
- established a safe, sustainable routine
- learned how to pace his energy at work
- communicated his needs confidently
- handled his duties without health flare-ups
- slowly increased his shifts as he felt stronger
His supervisor later shared:
"We didn't just gain an employee. We gained someone who brings calm, kindness, and steadiness to the entire community."
And Mark told us:
"For the first time since my health changed, I feel useful again. I feel like myself."
This is what Truwell's employment services believe in — steady progress, human connection, and real transformation. Our employment services are designed to help individuals with disabilities find meaningful work that respects their health, honors their capabilities, and supports their long-term success.