Meet Season four's Job Seekers

Austin was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder in the Grade 6, after a teacher realized his previous assessment was incorrect. Cars has been his fascination since childhood, in fact, his first word was Ferrari. Austin would like to work with cars, either mechanics, detailing or behind the wheel as a delivery driver.

Ben was declared legally blind at the age of 17, with less than 10 per cent of peripheral vision. Currently, Ben has only 7 per cent, but it has remained stable; he is also highly photosensitive. Ben never lets his condition effect what he wants to do, including playing baseball, hockey, BBoying (a.k.a. breakdancing) and playing music. He wants to work in marketing strategy in an entry level position he can build on and would love to connect his passion for music or sports entertainment with his education in marketing and/or business. 

Clover also goes by the pen name, Clover Thursday, which comes from her nickname "Yaa." It's Twi, a Ghanaian dialect, and means girl born on Thursday. Clover was misdiagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa as a child but found that she had Stargardt disease, an inherited disorder of the retina, causing progressive damage of the macula—the small area in the centre of the retina that is responsible for sharp, straight ahead vision. Clover would love to live off her art and have steady work freelance illustrating.

Drew was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at the age of three. Drew was obsessed with Pokémon as a child, and it helped him learn how to communicate. Drew loves doing cartoon voices and can breakdance, and would love to eventually work in radio broadcasting or in the voiceover world.

Franklyn was born with Cerebral Palsy and uses a power-wheelchair to help facilitate his basic daily needs. Cerebral palsy is caused by abnormal development or damage during pregnancy or birth to the parts of the brain that control movement, balance, and posture. With minimal assistance, Franklyn is an independent man, who uses the TTC to get around the city. He wants to find a stable part-time job that sees value in his skills.

Kirishan was diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum at age three. In 2017, he sang the Tamil National Anthem at Parliament Hill, Ottawa, for the first-ever Canadian Tamil Heritage Month Celebrations, as well as having done Isaiyum Naanum, a CD release, in which he fundraised approximately $3,500 for orphaned girls' homes in eastern Sri Lanka. Kirishan also starred in his own highly-successful musical, Silver Linings, through the South Asian Autism Awareness Centre (SAAAC), in which he played the lead role. Most recently, he received the Youth Inspiration award from the Tamil Mirror Awards Gala 2018, a yearly prestigious Tamil community awards night. Kirishan would love to work in an office doing research.

Madison was born with Down syndrome. She was photographed for a book called Average Girl Guide, which is all about teaching confidence and self-acceptance. Madison has wanted to be a model since she was a child.

Mitchell was diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum and Hydrocephalus at the age of four. He grew up being the life of the party; singing and performing for friends and family at barbecues. Mitchell would like to find a permanent position working with people in a museum and/or cultural environment.

Nicholas was born with Down syndrome. He is a proud member of the LGBTQ community and loves attending parades and advocacy events. Nicholas would love to work in a creative field in fashion or at a clothing store.

Nikoletta was born in Hungary with a rare condition called Arthrogryposis, that affects the joints in her limbs from bending as much as they're supposed to so she uses a wheelchair to get around. Nikoletta moved from Hungary to Canada with her family at age six, would love to work in communications or project management for healthcare and gets excited about roles that challenge the perception of where a person in a wheelchair might work.

Shauna was diagnosed with ADHD, Asperger’s and a learning disability at the age of three. She and her two best friends love sword play and LARPing (Live Action Role Play), where she creates the props and costumes made from duct tape and cardboard. Shauna would like a job that allows her to work with her hands. She enjoys working alone, but doesn't mind collaborating in a group.

Wendy was diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum after she moved from China to Canada when she was 10 years old. Wendy would love to work with animals, especially dogs, and hopes to eventually work in a pharmacy.