My name is Carolyn Laidlaw and I have started helping out the Thompson Citizen to bring you the good news of Thompson!
I am originally from Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island and moved to Thompson nine months ago. I like that Thompson has that small city feel that reminds me of home.
I have cerebral palsy and because of that, my mobility is not the greatest. So, I have a wonderful service dog named Lila! She makes the challenges of mobility easier and she as given me independence when it comes to getting around by myself that I never thought was possible. Lila goes where every I go, so that means she comes to the office with me at the Thompson Citizen. She lays quietly under my desk on her comfy mat, while I work with the staff of the Citizen.
I have diploma in marketing and advertising from Holland College, a small college in Charlottetown. I have a strong passion and love for the world of marketing, and also have a passion for writing – everything from poems and stories to news articles. This passion for writing and knowledge of the world of marketing meant the Thompson Citizen was a good fit.
This opportunity to work with the Thompson Citizen is due to the Thompson Supported Employment Program (TSEP). This program helps people with disabilities and/or barriers to employment gain the confidence and skills need for the workplace and helps them find employment. Being in the program since January, I can say that it is incredible and I am thankful that it exists. I graduated from college in May of 2016 with little work experience and my self-confidence to enter the workforce was low. However, thanks to the TSEP, I have higher self-confidence entering the workforce and have learned the skills that have made helping out at the Thompson Citizen that much easier.
