2018 C. Odell Tyndall Breakfast a Rousing Success

Good Carolina Mornin’!
 
Thought it would be nice to start your week off with a summary of the inspiration and important advocacy messages shared at the 2018 C. Odell Tyndall Breakfast held this past Wednesday June 13.    This year’s event was well attended again—thanks for your support with identifying presenters with testimonies and for actively participating.   Simply put, without your support in these ways, this event cannot succeed.     We are hoping to share more specifics of some of these testimonies, but this clip will need to serve as an immediate overview.   As always, you will receive the greatest personal benefit through attending the event directly, but understand how much of a sacrifice that requires.   Regardless, you are the team and we are sharing the best that we can to include you in this experience!
 
Program Summary:

• Alma Taylor, NCRA President: welcome and closing remarks
• Steve Allman, Past President: Tribute to C. O’Dell Tyndall
• Joy Tribble, Chapter III Chair: Invocation
• Areatha Dixon,  DSB VR Testimonial, introduced by Demetria Nickens, DSB Rehabilitation Counselor
• Kristy Brinson, DVRS Business Relations Representative, presented t comments on behalf of Yusef Ewais, Human Resources Director, Goldsboro Milling Company, a regular employer of DVRS service recipients
• Jarrad Wilkinson, DVRS VR Testimonial, introduced by Lawanda Anderson, DVRS Rehabilitation Counselor.
• Robert Sorochak, General Manager, NC State University Athletic Dining Services and employer of DSB service recipients, introduced by Betty Gholston, DSB Chief of Rehab Field Services
• Michael Roland, DSB IL Rehabilitation Program Testimonial, introduced by Larry Schlesinger, DSB Rehabilitation Counselor
• Bryan Dooley, NCATP services recipient (video testimonial) introduced by Page Mikol, NCATP Speech Language Pathologist along with a brief NCATP program overview.
• David Tedrow, owner of Senior Health Insurance Brokers, a 2018 DVRS/Small Business Advisory Council Small Business of the Year Award recipient (video) testimonial of DVRS Self-Employment Services introduced by Phil Protz on behalf of the Durham Unit Office.
  

Cheryl Revels, Co-Commissioner and Rehabilitation Counselor with the Lumbee Tribal VR Program warmly welcomes and registers guests.

Ingrid Nurse, Rehabilitation Counselor and Chapter I Representative (center), shows her anticipated excitement to Cheryl Revels, Co-Commissioner.

Wayne Giese, State Rehabilitation Council member discusses vocational rehabilitation programs with Representative Hugh Blackwell.

DVRS Counselor Lawanda Anderson meets with Representative Bob Muller prior to the program.

Will Shaw and Patricia Garcia from DHHS Human Resources are captivated by the power testimonies while faithful attendee Senator Jerry Tillman (left in photo) and Lisa Parker listens attentively.

DSB Director Cynthia Speight and Patricia Sikes, DSB Chief of Rehabilitation Programs and Facilities chat with guest presenter Areatha Dixon.

2018 NCRA President and DVRS Regional Director Alma P. Taylor, opens the program with a warm welcome those in attendance.

Steve Allman, NCRA Past President, honors C. O’Dell Tyndall by reviewing his legacy and effectiveness as a fervent advocate on behalf of individuals who need rehabilitation services. Steve also recognized the Legislators who came out to celebrate those rehabilitation victories presented via direct testimonials.

Joy Tribble, NCRA Chapter III Chair, gave a wonderfully inspiring invocation!

Demetria Nickens, DSB Rehabilitation Counselor, introduces Areatha Dixon

Areatha Dixon (above), gave her testimony highlighting her desire to have her life touch lives, her determination, and the expert assistance she received from DSB vocational rehabilitation program prior to her successful career opportunity with a Domestic Violence Shelter.

Kristy Brinson, DVR Business Relations Representative, conveys a message form Yusef Ewais, HR Director with Goldsboro Milling Company, about the effective working relationship that DVR has with his company and that DVR vocational rehabilitation effectively prepares and provides skilled and reliable workers and that such an arrangement is a “win-win” situation.

Lawanda Anderson, DVRS Rehabilitation Counselor, introduces special guest Jarrad Wilkinson

Jarrad Wilkinson told his story of recovery and rehabilitation following a fall from a ladder on a typical chore day around the house. Through successful rehabilitation services, his faith, and family and his employer’s support and reasonable accommodations facilitated by DVRS rehabilitation engineer and counselor he has been able to successfully return to his employment as an Information Technology Business Analyst with 20 years of experience. He feels he has regained his life and can now independently drive his modified van that he uses for commuting to his job and accessing his community.

Betty Gholston, DSB Chief of Field Rehabilitation Services, introduced Robert Sorochack, General Manager of NC State University Athletic Dining services. Mr. Soroshack described his longstanding partnership with DSB in receiving excellent workers and he indicates that he has enjoyed being aware of the worker’s strengths, interests, and abilities when matching them to the needs of his business.

Larry Schlesinger, DSB Independent Living Rehabilitation Counselor, introduces guest speaker Michael Roland (left).

Michael Roland, was working as a data server engineer when he lost his vision and his ability to do the tasks we all take for granted such as reading, writing, and watching movies. His physical and emotional world had been drastically reduced. Staff with the DSB Independent Living Rehabilitation Program, including Larry Schlesinger, and volunteering at his church helped him regain his life through specialized skill development and use of assistive technologies.

Page Mikol, NCATP Speech Language Pathologist presented a brief NCATP program overview and introduced a video presentation Bryan Dooley, an advocate and avid user of augmentative communication assistive technology.

Bryan discussed how assistive technology has opened a world of possibilities for him, including graduating from Guilford College where his studies focused on history and English; being a columnist and blogger, and chairs of the NC Council On Developmental Disabilities (NCCD) and chair of NC Empowerment Network (NCEN) as well as his work with disability rights. He strongly affirms that assistive technology, coupled with the expertise that NCATP staff offer across the state, enables individuals to effectively contribute toward society.

View a video of Bryan's presentation here

David Tedrow, owner of Senior Health Insurance Brokers, LLC, through video presentation for the event, discussed how DVR counseling staff in the Durham Unit Office and the Small Business Specialist with the Program Policy Planning and Evaluation section, helped him with his rehabilitation from a life threatening physical condition to a successful business owner with a minimum of 75 clients of his own. The business had stemmed in part from the skills he developed while volunteering to help match individuals requiring Medicare insurance to appropriate plans that met their needs. He stated that services, support, and guidance and counseling received from the agency was absolutely critical to his success. He has been selected as one of the 2018 Small Business of the Year Award by DVRS and its Small Business Advisory Committee.

View a video of David's presentation here.

A collage of a small sampling of the attendees and faithful supporters—thanks to all for the extra effort for the early event!

Helen Tack, Director of Fiscal Services and Accountability and Judy Cajigas, Business Services Supervisor

Alice Farrar, Chief of Employment Services and Program Development DVRS

Representative Bob Muller enjoys positive interaction with the membership and constituents.

Hope this summary of the breakfast program and the power testimonies coordinated by various staff help 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