Milton Man Enjoys Working Again
You can't keep a good man down. No one lives up to that
expression better than Darrell Smith. The Milton man recently began working
again, after eight years of success were interrupted by a serious accident.
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Florida's Agency
for Persons with Disabilities (APD) is taking the opportunity to focus on
Floridians like Smith who are working and contributing members of their
communities.
Smith receives services such as supported employment coaching from Arc Santa
Rosa that are funded by APD. Smith also works for Arc Santa Rosa as a
custodian at a rest area on Interstate 10.
"Darrell does janitorial work, keeping the restrooms and foyer clean," said
Robin Bender, the I-10 supervisor for Arc Santa Rosa's rest areas in Santa Rosa
and Okaloosa counties.
Smith had a developmental disability and a hearing impairment when he began
working custodial jobs, first for Arc Santa Rosa for about two years, and then
for a Wal-Mart store for about six years. But in 1997, he was sidelined by a
tragic accident in which his legs were pinned between two automobiles.
After extensive physical therapy he was able to walk again, but only with the
aid of a walker. Even with this additional disability, Smith wanted to go back
to work. While he attended an adult day training program at Arc Santa Rosa,
the organization's supported employment team came up with an innovative
approach to get him back in the game.
"Darrell would have to sweep and mop floors while moving about with the aid of
a walker," recalled Gary Simmons, Smith's employment specialist at Arc Santa
Rosa. "It had never been attempted before."
The employment coaches fashioned a special work cart for Smith and helped him
learn how to use it.
"It's a walker with wheels, with a basket and a seat so he can sit and clean,"
said Bender. "There were some people who thought Darrell couldn't do it, and
he fooled them all. Work is very important to him."
Smith has been back on the job since June, reclaiming his reputation as an
honest, loyal, dependable employee.
"He hasn't missed a day," Bender said. "When he worked with me before, he
rarely missed work."
"I'm so very happy to be working again," Smith said.
"Darrell is back on the road to independence," said Simmons.
If Smith has his way, he'll be back on the road in a literal sense. He is
saving money to buy a car, with the hope of being able to drive again---more
proof that you can't keep a good man down.
"Darrell gets along with everybody," said Bender. "I don't think there's
anybody he doesn't like. He's a wonderful person."
APD supports people with developmental disabilities to live, learn, and work in their communities. For more information about the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, visit www.apdcares.org or call toll-free 1- 866-APD-CARES (1-866-273-2273).
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