Page 13 - Success Story Newsletter 2019 E3

When young Angel first came to Easterseals in 2015 for employment training he was
anxious and open about his goals, the first of which was to pass his drivers exam. He
connected quickly with staff and was steadily on his way to acquiring his driver’s permit
and achieving other ambitions on his list. Unfortunately, life had other plans for Angel. He
began to experience depression and suicidal thoughts on a regular basis. He also found
himself the victim of domestic violence in his residence. Because of the open relationship
he had with his service specialist at Easterseals he was able to share his struggles and

receive guidance and support. Acting quickly, his support staff were able to successfully
assist him in finding a new place to live.

an uphill battle

Shortly after moving into a different family member’s home, Angel’s physical health
declined. A significant thyroid condition quickly progressed and impacted Angel’s heart,
lungs, energy level, and motivation. At Easterseals one afternoon, Angel began to feel very
ill and stated “I cannot take it anymore.” Emergency personnel were contacted and Angel
was to spend the next month in the hospital for his condition. When finally released, Angel
still required oxygen 24 hours per day due to the damage done to his lungs.

becoming himself again

After several weeks of rest at home, Angel happily returned to Easterseals more
motivated than ever to work hard, improve his skills, and obtain community employment.
He met with his career exploration coordinator to discuss his employment plans and
began job sampling soon thereafter. Angel loved being out in the community and getting
to meet new people – it had a wonderfully positive impact on his physical and mental
health. Angel’s enthusiasm was noticeable and well received. After only 5 weeks of job
sampling with Verna’s Flight Line Café in Millville, he was offered a job!

the future is looking bright

Now, after earning his first paycheck from an integrated employment site, Angel is
looking forward to his future and developing additional skills in the hospitality industry.
Although his mental and physical health conditions initially posed a significant barrier
to employment, Angel’s triumphant spirit paired with a dedicated team of Easterseals
employees proved that employment is attainable for anyone with the right supports and a
commitment to pursuing their goals.

- Rachel Smith, BA, CESP, Career Exploration Coordinator | Millville

LIVE · LEARN · WORK · PLAY Easterseals New Jersey Success Story Newsletter 2019 13