SUCCESS STORIES

When I was 25, I had surgery on my knees. Shortly after the surgery, I contracted a viral infection in my spinal column, which slowly paralyzed both my legs from the base of my hips down and caused severe spasticity, eventually requiring ankle fusions and positioning boots to keep my feet and ankles from turning outward. I have faced other health challenges in my life such as bladder cancer, tendonitis in my rotator cuffs, and chronic pain. I’ve had a total of 15 operations! Though I am in a wheelchair, I’ve never let my disabilities paralyze me. I remain physically active by rowing with Philadelphia Adaptive Rowing. I have also been involved with Friends of Campbell Square (a neighborhood park group), the COHMAR Open Door Clubhouse, and the Salvation Army. And thanks to TV, I’ve never missed a Phillies or Eagles game, nor Sunday Mass – even after our church closed in 2018. InspiriTec hired me onto a new project after I completed technology training through the Sierra Group Academy. Before InspiriTec, I was always a nervous person and second-guessing myself, and I had never worked in a contact center before. The training and support I got from InspiriTec’s management really boosted my confidence. I quickly went from nervous to loving my job! I assist users of the Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Program resolve technical issues with their cards and accounts, and I help patients and caregivers with registering for the program and finding medical marijuana practitioners. Everyone at InspiriTec is willing to help each other. The part-time, hybrid schedule InspiriTec set up for me allows me to manage my disabilities. They also helped me set up my workstation at home, because I had never used two computer screens before. If you’re a person with a disability seeking employment, you should work at InspiriTec!

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