SUCCESS STORIES
Below are success stories from all across the United States. We hope they inspire you that you too can achieve your highest goals of work success. At the bottom of the page are videos for those who prefer them over reading articles.
Maybe you will be the next success story!
MATT'S SUCCESS STORY
Hearing Loss
In 2014, Matt took stock of his life. He was receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) because hearing loss and other medical issues had interfered with consistent employment. For years he had struggled to make ends meet on an SSDI check. As an ambitious gentleman, he was eager to move beyond the limitations of relying on SSDI. "I always wanted and planned to work," he says, "…to be productive, build a career, and earn more money …"
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JOHNNY'S SUCCESS STORY
Clinical Depression
The journey to employment often includes detours and setbacks. Financial independence can take a long time to achieve and every step closer to this goal deserves recognition. Ticket to Work Stepping Stones features celebrate those intermediate achievements. This is Johnny's story.
All of Johnny's energy went into loving and caring for her 8 grandchildren. She felt especially protective of a 12-year-old granddaughter born with a developmental disability. When this child died in 2005, Johnny was devastated, and her grief triggered severe mental health symptoms.
SHIRLEY'S SUCCESS STORY
Circadian Rhythm & Blues
Shirley figured being tired all the time came with the territory as a working mom. But when she started to fall asleep at her desk, in the middle of conversations and at the wheel while driving, she knew something was wrong.
A person's circadian rhythm includes physical, mental and behavioral changes that follow a daily cycle. This includes a natural sleep cycle of sleeping at night and being awake during the day. A neurologist diagnosed Shirley with narcolepsy, a chronic disorder related to circadian rhythms that affects the brain's ability to control sleep-wake cycles. Shirley was advised to stop working until they could get her symptoms under control, so in 2009, she began receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and started a 6-year journey to manage the disorder.
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ROB'S SUCCESS STORY
Renal Failure
Don Jenin, Rob’ s employer: He drives 108 miles one way to work. To both sites, same amount of time. Uh... snowstorms? Robby is still on time. He's got a tremendous amount of pride in his work and in himself.
Michelle Brigham, Rob’s girlfriend: Robby's just a go-getter. He just, he wants everything. He wants to try everything. He wants to be able to do everything and healing is a part of that, you know? With the sickness, it really hindered him. To be able to get back into the workforce and to get back to work and traveling and everything has just- it's been a wonderful thing for him.