NCRA Short Clip #1 from the 2017 C. Odell Tyndall Legislative Breakfast

Good Carolina Mornin’!
 
Thought it would be nice to start your week off with a short clip of inspiration from the 2017 C. Odell  Tyndall Breakfast held June 7.    This year’s event was well attended with 80 total attendees including 18 legislators—thanks for your support with identifying those with testimonies and for actively participating.   Simply put, without your support in these ways, this event cannot succeed.     I am hoping to share more specifics of some of these testimonies, but this clip will be an overview.   Greatest inspiration will occur with attending the event directly—plan on attending next year’s event!
 
A summary of the agenda:

• Amy Hall, NCRA President: welcome and closing remarks, including recognition of Immediate Past President Staci Griswold.
• Kenny Gibbs, Past President: Invocation
• Steve Allman, Past President: Tribute to C. O’Dell Tyndall
• Alan Chase, Ed.D.,: Testimonial introduced by Kathie Trotter, Chief, Rehabilitation Field Services (DSB)
• Rebecca Sorensen, Blawesome, LLC : Testimonial introduced by Craig Lawrence, Small Business Specialist (DVRS)
• Chris Costa, K&W Cafeteria Cameron Village: Employer Testimonial introduced by Carla Vyskocil, Employment Specialist (DSB)
• Kyle Cashwell, NC Farmer: Testimonial introduced by Gloria Jinks, AT Consultant and AgrAbility evaluator NCATP and Tammy Koger, NCATP Director.
• Stephanie Wells, HR Recruiter, Hickory Springs Manufacturing: Employer Testimonial introduced by Frances Robinson, Western Regional Employment Specialist, DVRS.
• Vovanti Jones: Testimonial introduced by Vickie Winters, Rehabilitation Counselor, DVRS
• Larry Harring: Testimonial introduced by Patricia Sikes, Chief of Rehabilitation Programs and Facilities, DSB.
  

Steve Allman, Past NCRA President with current President Amy Hall

Kenny Gibbs, Past President giving the Invocation

Some of the faithful attendees – thanks for supporting the event!

Some of the honored guests from the NC General Assembly

Steve Allman giving a tribute to C. Odell Tyndall

More guests and attendees—never too young for impressionable inspiration!

More of the faithful supporters of this event

Jaimie Seachrist joyfully assisting with registration

Kathie Trotter Introducing the first speaker Alan Chase

Alan Chase, Ed. D., sharing his testimonial of his journey becoming a high school teacher with aspirations of becoming a college professor.

Craig Lawrence Introduces Rebecca Sorensen with Blawesome, LLC

Rebecca Sorensen shares her journey of using social farming to provide meaningful employment and motivation for individuals with autism.

Carla Vyskocil introduces Chris Costa with K&W Cafeteria

Chris Costa, long time manager of K&W Cafeteria, Cameron Village, shares how his team benefits in many ways through the hiring of individuals with disabilities and how they have been recognized and complimented by customers for their excellence.

Vovanti Jones, gives her testimony about overcoming challenges on her way to becoming a medical practitioner specializing in neuromuscular disabilities. Vickie Winters, Rehabilitation Counselor, looks on.

Frances Robinson introduces Stephanie Wells, HR Recruiter of Hickory Spring Manufacturing, who has a long time track record in hiring individuals with disabilities through partnering with NC DVRS. Stephanie mentioned specific examples of successful employee situations and the mutual commitment between management and employees that exists at HSM.

Tammy Koger provides a brief overview of the many services NCATP provides and their support to the AgrAbility program supporting farmers in North Carolina

Gloria Jinks introduces Kyle Cashwell, NC Farmer, who shared his journey back to farming through determination and grit, faith, assistance, his community, and successful assistive technology/rehabilitation engineering interventions.

Patricia Sikes introduced Larry Harring, who shared the realities of his adjustment to blindness and how the services of the DSB Independent Living Older Blind program provided him the skills, training, and assistive technology to do nearly everything he sets his mind to experience or accomplish.

Hope this short clip helps you to capture and live the passion of your profession this week—just like the example C. Odell Tyndall left for us!
 
Warm regards,
Phil Protz & Cheryl Revels
Co - Commissioners