A Story About My Job

Hi, my name is Stacey Kohler, and I am proud to be a landscaper.

Landscaping is working with equipment outside in all-weather seasons. The tools I use are tongs to pick up garbage, a rake to move leaves and clippers to trim prickle bushes; I got trained to work with the clippers.

My daily work routine looks something like this:

My dad drives me and my boyfriend, Weston, to work together. I annoy my boyfriend by singing Brittany Spears to him in the car, he likes to hum to the music.

Once I get to work, I put on my mask and sanitize my hands and say “hello” to my co-workers.

I get together with my crew: Ty, Ed and myself and we head out. We then drive around and go to different worksites. I like helping my crew, I am their bucket person. I hold the bucket for them to put grass clippings and leaves into.

After a few hours of work, we get a coffee break. We eat food and drink our coffee. I like to listen to music from my phone.

We have a few more worksites to visit after our coffee and food break and then I am home for the day.

After my shift at work, I go home and make myself food and have a short nap.

I love my job; it has changed my life. I am so happy to be able to wake up three days a week and clean my community. It is very important to keep the community clean because I love the Earth.

And that, my friends, is a Stacey Kohler day! I am proud to be a landscaper.

Written by Stacey Kohler, Self-Advocate of Semiahmoo, SAS member, originally published on selfadvocate.net.

UNITI is the partnership of three affiliated societies that have provided important community services for decades. Semiahmoo House Society provides quality services and supports to people with disabilities and their families in Surrey and White Rock. Peninsula Estates Housing Society provides affordable and inclusive housing that reflects the diversity of our community. The Semiahmoo Foundation assures that UNITI has the recognition, relationships and resources to support an inclusive community. Together we’re stronger!