Aya Elkerdany: Reflections On My Time At LiveWorkPlay

Stepping into the LiveWorkPlay environment wasn’t just about starting a new job – it was walking into a mission-driven family that forever changed how I view work and community. At first, I was just a curious outsider. As a psychology major at the University of Ottawa, I stumbled upon LiveWorkPlay as a volunteer opportunity, helping people with intellectual disabilities, autism, and dual diagnoses to join the fun as valued members of the community. My initial expectations in my role were to help facilitate inclusion, and support individuals in ways that would enrich their lives. Little did I know, this experience would end up changing my own life in ways I never imagined!

Core Experiences and Different Roles

After a year of volunteering, my passion grew and I felt like this work was something I truly cared about. Coincidentally, around that time, Alex Darling, the LiveWorkPlay volunteer coordinator, was doing her annual check-in with volunteers. I threw on my ‘big girl’ outfit (a sweater that reads “Coffee Please”) and worked up the courage to ask her about job opportunties. The moment I met, her warmth and kindness had me hooked—I knew I wanted to be a part of this team. To my surprise and delight, she mentioned the annual hiring of 1-2 summer students. It felt like a door to a whole new world within the organization had just opened for me!

I started my full time work there 2 months later. There are two general roles at LiveWorkPlay: the Employment Support team and the Community Support team, which is where I spent my time. I was greeted and led by Grace Hudson (Team Lead) and Lindsay Pritchard (Community Support). There were my two guiding lights when I was lost at the beginning. Grace was always there with a listening ear, and kind, thoughtful advice, making those early days easier. Lindsay was there as a I made my way through each step, empowering me to thrive on my own afterwards.

As a summer student, I had the chance to shadow Lindsay and others to see firsthand how LiveWorkPlay’s mission came to life. Initially, as a volunteer, I was contributing to the play component of the mission – helping members connect with their community and participate in fun, authentic, and inclusive activities. As I gained experience and started working solo, my role expanded. I began supporting members with independent living – helping them with everyday tasks like grocery shopping, appointments, and household chores. I also assisted members in contributing to meaningful volunteer opportunities. It was incredible to see how these small moments of support could build confidence and independence, creating ripples of positive change in their lives.

Personal Growth and Lessons learned

As I moved into a full-time role, I became more confident in my ability to support others and handle new challenges independently. I learned how to manage responsibilities like scheduling appointments, guiding individuals through daily tasks, and offering emotional support. I also realized how much I valued the human connection in this work. Seeing members thrive made me feel like I was truly making a difference. It wasn’t just about the tasks; it was about creating relationships and building trust. By the end of my time, I felt empowered and capable, knowing I could make an impact on my own while still leaning on the support of a strong team. The coordination and communication we had as a team at LiveWorkPlay was crucial to the successful and thorough support of members.

My time at LiveWorkPlay taught me invaluable lessons that I’ll carry forward. I learned the importance of inclusion – not just in theory, but in practice – by supporting members with everything from daily chores to securing volunteer opportunities. I realized that respecting individual autonomy comes from giving people the tools and trust they need to succeed on their own. Patience, empathy, and flexibility became second nature as I learned to adapt to each member’s unique needs and goals. The biggest lesson I’ll take with me is how transformative a supportive community can be – how even the smallest actions, like a simple conversation or helping with a task, can make someone feel seen, heard, and valued.

Moving forward, I am committed to implementing these lessons in my own community, especially given that inclusion for people with disabilities remains scarce in the Arab world. I hope to advocate for greater acceptance, create spaces where people of all abilities can thrive, and foster a culture of inclusivity that’s often lacking in many parts of my region. This experience deepened my understanding of the meaningful impact a supportive community can have on a person’s life.

Gratitude 

I am leaving soon to spend some time in Egypt and I will be back in the spring and looking forward to reconnecting. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone on the team for the powerful impact they’ve had on me. Keenan and Julie, thank you for being the kindest and most understanding co-leaders at LiveWorkplay. Grace, thank you for being such a patient team lead and always making me feel heard. Lindsay, thank you for showing me the ropes to being a community support worker. Neil, Joëlle, and Ron, thank you for always putting a smile on my face and making me feel seen on the hardest days. The list could go on and on, but one thing’s for sure, this team is one that has unmatched energy, kindness and collaboration. I appreciate you all!