Norm McLeod Awards

Roy Skoreyko: Winner, Norm McLeod Leadership Award

Roy Skoreyko Speaks from the Heart
by Leanne Smalley

Listening to Roy Skoreyko speak about his life as an individual with developmental disabilities is an intimate experience. He speaks from the heart and he truly believes in his ability to enable other people with developmental disabilities to fulfil their dreams.

For the past ten years, Roy has worked a groundskeeper with Catholic Social Services. Outside of his job, he commits much of his time to working as a self-advocate, together with keeping up his friendships, art, music and sports. A full and satisfying life for most men, it is remarkable when you learn of Roy’s beginnings. Placed in Michener Centre at age 10, Roy remained there until he was an adult. His eyes show pain as he talks about those years, but Roy has turned that pain into positive energy. “I made a promise when I left Michener; a promise to speak up for the people there. They may not be able to speak, or may be afraid to speak, but I can speak for them and for other people with disabilities.”

People with disabilities have a strong voice within Roy Skoreyko. Roy is in his second term as a board intern for the PDD Edmonton Region Community Board. Board Chair, Don Risdon, reflects on his experience as Roy’s mentor; “Roy never misses an opportunity to increase our awareness of how our actions are viewed from the perspective of one whose life is directly impacted by our decision-making. His messages are framed simply but are compellingly eloquent.” The PDD board is one of seven boards, advisory or advocacy committees on which Roy has served. He is also involved with the Alberta Association for Community Living, Gateway ACL, Edmonton’s People First Association and Leadership Today. He believes that his involvement with these organizations will make a difference. “I can make people with disabilities aware that we can be involved.”

Roy is very serious about his role as a leader in the community and pursues every opportunity to share his knowledge, energy and passion. “I encourage people with disabilities to work with the system, not against the system… a lot of people have different opinions and people with disabilities can give people ideas on how they can make things better.”

Roy has a positive outlook on how he can give government and community organizations the chance to change and grow. He recognizes that opportunities are opening up for more representation of people with disabilities, and hopes that his accomplishments will encourage others. “Now we do have the opportunity and I encourage others to do the same things I did – be patient and work.” Roy adds that he is grateful for the help and encouragement he has received from the boards and organizations he has worked with. “What it is, is team work and team work will always be there for people with disabilities.”

As Roy plans for the future, he looks forward to continuing with his work as a self-advocate. He’ll also be putting his time and energy into more personal goals. He plans to do more drawing and has begun work on a project putting a book together with his life stories. Eventually, Roy would also like to sit on the Premier’s Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities. “I would like to see a person with a disability sitting in the House of Commons in Ottawa. I would like to see that. If you have a dream, stick with it.”

Looking to Roy as a source for inspiration, one is taken by his level of commitment to living life to its fullest and helping each other along the way. “When I leave this world, I don’t want people to remember me for my disability. I want them to remember me for what I’ve done as a person first.”

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