Meet Terry

A polio survivor from age 3 Terry has used crutches and wheelchairs to make his way in this world. Terry grew up in a time when words like inclusion, individual rights and physical access were not known. Terry developed his creative and innovative thinking as a way to survive in today’s world.

His professional background ranges from a business analyst with Dunn and Bradstreet to community/hospital psychiatric counselor to research and policy analyst with the British Columbia government. I have lived and worked in Calgary, Montreal, Toronto, Halifax, Vancouver and Victoria. This has supplied me with a rich understanding of how diverse and unique the needs of Canadians are and how these needs are impacted by their home area. I say their home area as it has become very apparent to me that the “universality” that Canada is so proud of is becoming more of an albatross then a benefit.

At age 5 Terry was a March of Dimes Timmy and considers this his first foray into marketing at a very young age. In his early life Terry spend eight years in a Children’s Hospital. This was the beginning of his fascination with systems and social support programs. He has spent his life studying the development of the health care system and its impact on social programs. This same upbringing eventually led him to an early career working as a mental health therapist in an inner city hospital in downtown Calgary where he laid the foundations for his excellent communication skills.

Terry’s ability to see patterns and understand systems made an eclectic career a natural fit for him. The common thread was analysis. This included an early position as a business analyst with Dunn and Bradstreet while living in Toronto. This was his introduction to private sector business.

Terry has held successful positions in the non-profit community, the private sector and both levels of government (federal and provincial). With the knowledge gathered from each of these sectors Terry has been able to identify “common grounds” between these sectors. This has enabled Terry to identify many innovative ways to foster programs and partnerships within his community.

Much of Terry’s background involves many “firsts”. As indicated he was one of the first March of Dimes Timmy in Canada (1955).  He competed with the Alberta Wheelchair Sports Team at the first Canadian National Wheelchair Games in Montreal. He became the first disabled taxi driver in Toronto in 1975.  He was the first person on crutches to be hired for an in-patient psychiatric unit. He helped develop and participated with the first wheelchair curling league on Vancouver Island. He became one of the first wheelchair interpretative dancers with Victoria Dance where he eventually became recognized as a professional dancer.  Although not a first, Terry is also a published poet.

Following six years as a research/policy analyst with the Government of British Columbia Terry established Future Focus Consulting. Since that time Terry has completed many successful contracts. Cross sections of his clients include:
• November 2001 to 2004 – Coordinating focus groups for adaptive technology testing through Industry Canada, Ottawa, ON.
• Conducting an evaluation of adaptive software being beta tested by Industry Canada at pilot sites across Canada
• Developed 52 hour online curriculum for California State University’s Adaptive Technology Application Program
• Consulting trainer for The Hastings Foundation, Vancouver
• Advisory role to Western Diversification Fund for entrepreneurs with disabilities
• Provided regular training sessions to employment and rehabilitation professionals

Terry personal philosophy is “just because it hasn’t been done doesn’t mean it can’t be done”. He has continually found innovative and creative ways to connect his community with programs and services that are beneficial to all.