Driven to Overcome 

If you asked Larry Barnett’s wife what bothered her most about her husband in 2004, she would say he didn’t seem to hear a word she said. And it turns out, she was right, but not because he’s a lousy listener.

After a hearing test, numerous doctors’ appointments and an MRI, it turned out Larry had a golf ball-sized benign tumour on the left side of his brain. His hearing was affected by acoustic neuroma, a condition that affects one in 100,000 individuals every year.

Two surgeries and many visits to the hospital later, Barnett’s tumour was removed and he was sent home to recover with his family by his side. He didn’t exactly put his feet up.

“You can only watch television for so long,” said Barnett. He was eager to get back to the things he loved doing, like racing cars and instructing at the work methods and training facility in Orangeville. Barnett joined Ontario Hydro as a summer student in 1978 and has worked at Hydro One for 32 years. As an instructor for 21 years and he may be the longest-serving trainer in Hydro One history.

“One size does not fit all when it comes to instruction,” said Barnett. He believes in inclusive and customized accelerated learning. “I like to offer different learning styles and to add some colour in what has traditionally been a black and white engineering company.” He prefers teaching in a non-threatening and relaxed atmosphere with music, energizers and a link to real-life situations.

In September 2006, he was able to return to work part-time and remains on long-term disability. After returning to work, Barnett had an idea for employees like him who live with a disability.

“I see myself as an idea guy and when I came back to work I thought a group that helped disabled employees in the workplace would be valuable,” said Barnett.

Barnett took his idea to Vivian Yoanidis, Manager of Diversity and Resourcing, and it is now moving from acorn to oak.

“Larry’s journey got him thinking about what more might have been helpful,” said Vivian. “His proposal of an employees’ group for people with a disability comes at a time when Hydro One is hoping to expand its diversity programming with a pilot group for employees with disabilities.”

Barnett hopes the group makes it easier for employees in unique situations such as his to succeed in the workplace. “I’m trying to show employees who have faced hard-ships how it can become easier,” said Barnett.

For Barnett, the group will be a way to bring together employees who face similar challenges. He hopes the group will draw in people who have faced hardships and can share stories on how they have overcome difficulties. “For most employees, you come into work and leave. It’s different for me. I have needs that regular employees might not have,”said Barnett. 

It’s clear he’s passionate about making a difference both in the lives of employees at Hydro One and in his community. The self-described car nut competed in the Montreal Grand Prix Support Races from 1981 to 1983. Now, he volunteers and co-organizes the annual Orangeville High School Electric Car Race and has raised more than $10,000, including recent support from the Employee Volunteer Grant Program.

By continuing to lend his support to local events and bringing to life his ideas to improve the lives of fellow employees at Hydro One, Larry Barnett has shown us “Ability first, disability second.”

What are communities of support?

A community of support is sometimes called an employee resource group, or an affinity group. The name might vary with the organization, but usually it is a grassroots group of employees formed by employees around a common characteristic.

How do these groups help employees?

These groups are intended to help employees by providing an additional forum for informal mentoring, self-development and support, and helpful information that might fall outside of Hydro One’s scope of operations.

How can I get involved?

Hydro One is exploring the level of interest in a community of support group for employees with a disability on a pilot program basis. A half-day focus group is being planned for the fall. If you are an employee with a disability or would just like to join the group to be better informed, contact Celia.Featherby@HydroOne.com with your questions and suggestions.