Narrator: There’s much to learn when starting out in the insurance industry. But imagine trying to do it seeing only this.

Donovan Tildesley: I try to do as much by computer as possible. The least amount of paper the better because there’s nothing worse for a blind guy than having all these sheets of unknown, unidentified paper. It just forces me to rely on other colleagues in the office who probably have their own tasks to do but they’re spending, say half an hour trying to help me file all this paper. What I try to do with my travel policies is send them by e-mail when possible to save on paper. If there is paper involved, I usually get somebody to come up to my desk or the client even and show me where I need to sign. It’s all about working together with people to try and get it done because I know how to do a signature, but I don’t know where that signature should go.

Narrator: To help eliminate paperwork, Donovan relies on a special software program.

Donovan Tildesley: Well I’ve got a speech program on my computer called JAWS, which stands for Job Access With Speech. Basically what it does is it reads the screen for me verbally. So what you as a visual person would see on the screen, it converts into text, into words. So anytime I’m doing a travel policy or ICBC transaction or an auto plan renewal call, checking e-mails, surfing the web, excel – what have you – this program is speaking to me and guiding me through what you would be able to see on the screen.

Narrator: Blind since birth, overcoming obstacles is nothing new to Donovan.

Donovan Tildesley: I’m a swimmer.  I’ve been on the national team since 2000 now, competing in three Paralympics Games. I competed at the Sydney 2000 games and won a bronze medal there. In Athens in 2004 I won two silvers and a bronze and I just recently came back from Beijing with a bronze medal as well as having the honour of being Canada’s flag bearer for opening ceremonies.

Narrator: Although he’s now retired from competitive swimming, Donovan has been able to transfer those skills to his new career.

Donovan Tildesley: I think knowing how to work under pressure, some degree of time management for sure, teamwork and also the idea of goal setting, being able to follow goals. I also think there’s a certain notoriety. This is a small community in which we live, Dunbar, Alma, Point Grey area.  A lot of my clients are people who would have seen me train at the Arbutus where I do a lot of my training and having that name, that brand, what have you, people come to recognize it and come to trust it so I think that’s a skill I would bring or an advantage in some ways.

Narrator: Growing up, Donavan had a strong support system around him and he is well aware of the importance of giving back.

Donovan Tildesley: One of my other strengths and passions is motivational speaking. I’m actually trying to build some business around that as well and I’ve been very grateful that Gord and the team at Buntain have been supporting me in going out and doing the speaking engagements.  Reaching out to the kids and the community alike because it adds value to the business here at Buntain and gives me a platform for me to share my aspirations, inspirations and dreams with others. You know, if I can change at least one person’s life and help them to get to the next level  then that makes me a better person.