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dvr home -> about dvr -> success stories Success Stories
Tom Daly
When Tom Day arrived at DVR's doorstep, he was a reluctant applicant. Tom had received vocational rehabilitation services in another state and was not satisfied with the services he received. He felt the VR staff lacked expertise in brain injury. However, Tom soon learned that his experience in Washington would be different. In Tom's words, "I immediately found my counselor, Georgia Quaccia, to be sympathetic, understanding and hard working." Tom's disabilities resulted from a brain tumor that was treated with radiation. He experiences seizures memory loss, physical limitations, and other cognitive symptoms. These impairments created significant challenges to getting and keeping a job. Frustrated with part-time work in a job he described as a "dead end," Tom wished to put his Master's Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling to use. Georgia and Tom spent many hours discussing his interests, abilities and career goals. During these counseling and guidance sessions, Tom and Georgia were presented with an interesting opportunity by the Brain Injury Association of Washington (BIAWA), where Tom had done volunteer work as a support group facilitator. BIAWA wished to expand their support services in the Bellingham area and wanted to hire Tom. Tom and Georgia negotiated with John Andrews and Gayla Edwards from BIAWA to create a six-month fully funded on-the job training placement as an Information and Resource Coordinator. Tom needed substantial support during the OJT to participate in training at the BIAWA headquarters in Redmond. St. Joseph's Hospital in Bellingham donated space for Tom's BIAWA office. The location was perfect for Tom, allowing him to ride his bike to and from work, eliminating transportation concerns. Tom is now a permanent employee with BIAWA managing the Bellingham Information and Resource Office. He coordinates local support groups and refers individuals to local resources, including DVR He also performs educational out reach, teaching people about such things as the importance of using helmets when bike riding. Tom is pleased with the results of his work with DVR and Georgia. "I have to thank Georgia. My position is as close to being the perfect job match for me as I have found in my vocational history," Tom reflected. A model of successful collaboration between DVR and BIAWX Georgia was recognized at the 1999 BIAWA Conference. As a result, a second office of BIAWA has opened in Spokane using the same model. For brain injury resources, contact Tom Day using the statewide survivor helpline at 1-800-523-5438, or in Bellingham call (360) 647-1232.
No one expected 16-year old Cindy Medley to survive. A lifethreatening tumor was discovered and Cindy's only hope was to have a portion of her brain removed. The surgery that saved her life also resulted in cognitive impairments that interfere with memory, in a hearing impairment, and in physical limitations related to lifting and stamina. For 20 years following the accident, Cindy focused on developing her artistic interests as a freelance artist and part-time instructor in community art classes. Still, shewanted to work at a regular job. When her husband learned about DVR, he suggested she call. VRC Linda Cearley quickly detected that Cindy was extremely motivated and determined to go to work. With Linda's guidance, Cindy completed a variety of assessment activities to identify and understand her interests and abilities more fully. Not surprisingly, Cindy showed artistic strengths and interests, but she was also interested in shipping and receiving work. Cindy had done work in shipping and receiving in the past and, except for the physical demands, enjoyed the work very much. Cindy and Linda hired a community rehabilitation program, Goodwill Industries, to arrange an assessment in a shipping and receiving job. Goodwill set up the assessment at Shopko in Kennewick and worked with Cindy to help her learn the responsibilities of the job. Cindy demonstrated the strengths needed to do the job. Shopko was so impressed with Cindy and her work that they not only offered to hire her, but to modify the job requirements to avoid heavy lifting and accommodate a part-time schedule. This allowed Cindy the flexibility she needed to accept the job. In March 1999, Shopko hired Cindy as a member of the Merchandise Support Team. As a member of the team, Cindy is responsible for stocking shelves and preparing merchandise for display in the store. The DVR-Goodwill partnership was a winning combination for Cindy, who quickly became a valuable member of her work team. "Linda really listened to me and understood my needs," Cindy spoke about her DVR counselor, "she believed in me." And about her new job at Shopko, Cindy adds, "The main reason I like working here is because the staff is so wonderful and supportive." Cindy's employer is pleased with the results as well. "Cindy is an outstanding employee who has a very positive attitude and is always eager to help," added Shopko assistant manager Mel Williams.
"The system has worked for me!" Sharon Smith is right. Sharon had been unemployed since 1991 and was receiving SSDI benefits when she applied for DVR services. Though a spinal cord injury prevented Sharon from working outside the home, she had succeeded in juggling the responsibilities of being a single mother with three children. Despite challenges, Sharon wanted to become more independent by becoming employed and earning a competitive wage. Sharon's application for DVR services set a series of team building steps in motion. With the help and support of VRC Chuck Polance, Sharon took a leadership role in choosing the services she needed to reach her goals. On her own initiative, she took a driving evaluation through Good Samaritan Hospital and worked to obtain her driver's license and a van. Sharon chose to use the expertise and services of Mobility Concepts to modify the van to meet her needs. DVR provided for the installation of hand controls, a parking brake extension, a key extension and a spin knob. Once Sharon had access to transportation, there was no stopping her! A fashion consultant helped Sharon dress for a professional position, and a community rehabilitation program, Vadis Northwest, was selected for its job matching expertise for individuals with significant disabilities. The partnership proved successful. Sharon was hired by the Center for Independence in Puyallup as an Independent Living Specialist. During her initial transition from homemaker to employee, DVR helped Sharon contact the Social Security Administration to request a nine-month trial work period. DVR also assisted with child care while she became accustomed to her new responsibilities. DVR's timely support throughout the rehabilitation process enabled Sharon to focus on her employment goals and to achieve remarkable success. Sharon says, "I feel very fortunate to have come this far. The job is flexible and the employer is very accommodating ...I can even work at home when I need to."
When Lee Jamison applied for DVR services, he was attending Edmonds Community College to obtain a transfer degree and chemical dependency certification. Lee also hoped to complete a Bachelor's Degree to achieve his potential in a career. Lee could no longer perform the physical requirements of his previous job as a union operating engineer due to limitations resulting from multiple disabilities, including a back condition, sleep apnea, atrial fibrillation and alcohol and drug addiction. Though Lee was receiving benefits through the Department of Labor and Industries that supported his training, additional barriers related to his disabilities were making it difficult for him to reach his goals. DVR assisted Lee to address and manage issues related to recovery and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. In addition, DVR supported Lee's training goals by assisting with transportation services needed to get to and from school. With the joint support of DVR and L&I, Lee achieved his academic goals and became employed as a chemical dependency counselor. Lee stopped by the DVR office recently to once again express his appreciation and share some good news. Lee's success has continued to flourish, and he took the lead in expanding a small treatment program into a larger state certified program, where he is now acting as the Executive Director. When asked about his work with DVR, Lee stated, "It was Brenda Cook's work that helped move me ahead, and through DVR's support that I was able to get where I am. Lee wants other people with disabilities to understand that working with DVR and overcoming disabilities requires commitment and hard work. "Don't get discouraged by what appear to be challenges," states Lee, "doors will open if you work hard and walk the path."
Although Scott liked his part-time job as a courtesy clerk at Safeway, his dream was to one day work in an office setting. Using services available under a program called "Supported Employment in State Government," Scott achieved his dream. In September 1999, Scott went to work for the State of Washington, Department of Social and Health Services as a full time Office Trainee in the Residential Care Services office in Tacoma. DVR Counselor Mike Rembaugh assisted Scott, who has a developmental disability, to develop a plan of services to reach his job goal. As part of the plan, Mike helped Scott select a community rehabilitation program, Tahoma Associates, to develop a job under the Supported Employment in State Government program. Scott also chose to get the intensive job coaching needed to learn the skills and responsibilities required for his new job from Tahoma Associates. Tahoma Associates was very committed to the one-on-one support needed to ensure Scott's success. Scott's positive attitude, work ethic and friendly personality also helped him adjust to the expectations of a professional office environment. Scott performed his job so well, that his supervisor is supporting Scott's continued growth by suggesting additional training to enable him to advance to the next level in his job class. To take advantage of that opportunity, DVR is helping Scott receive training to gain keyboarding skills as a postemployment service. The DSHS Residential Care Services staff have been very supportive of Scott's employment at DSHS. Scott's supervisor, Ren'ee Olson, has been recognized by DVR for her efforts to provide opportunities through the Supported Employment in State Government program. |
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