SUCCESS STORIES
“InspiriTec looks at you for the person you are and the work you do, not the medical condition that you have.”
InspiriTec’s employees are our key asset and the fruit of our mission. Each real-life story below reveals the impact made possible through our partnerships with commercial customers and the dedication of our committed supporters.
John • Supervisor, Telephone Answering Service • Philadelphia
At age 19, I became an innocent victim of a gunshot due to robbery, and I was paralyzed as a result. I aggressively, but unsuccessfully, searched for five years for a job suitable for a wheelchair user – until I responded to a posting at InspiriTec in Philadelphia. InspiriTec affirmatively hires people with disabilities. That appealed to me. Thanks to InspiriTec, I found new ways to do things I’ve always loved, and I found new passions. InspiriTec has given me great skills in customer service – a great industry for people with disabilities, and has allowed me to seek career advancement opportunities. From 2014 to 2018, I worked for InspiriTec, until I was given an opportunity to work at PECO. Since then, PECO has been my day job, and InspiriTec has been my after-hours/weekend job – and I have advanced myself at both companies. In 2021, I was promoted to my current position at InspiriTec: Supervisor of the Telephone Answering Service (TAS). I oversee scheduling and reach out to required contacts as needed. In 2022, I earned my third promotion and current position at PECO: Billing Specialist. I ensure customers are billed correctly, and I manipulate systems to ensure meters are operating correctly. I have always been an extremely hard worker, and these two jobs allow me to better learn and grow in customer service, while progressing towards my long-term financial goals. I want to buy a house and a nice new accessible van – which I can drive because InspiriTec connected me with a driving program through the Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR). InspiriTec also helped me discover a passion for disability advocacy. I have spoken with elected officials about the employment challenges faced by people with disabilities. I also work with the Magee Rehabilitation Peer Mentor program, where I help people who are newly disabled, due to gun violence and other spinal cord injuries. I get them adjusted to life moving forward, and I teach them things I didn’t know when I became injured. When I’m neither working nor advocating, I’m pursuing my lifelong passion for sports, by watching Philadelphia sports or doing local wheelchair races! You could say, I like to stay busy!
Join our effort to support John and others with disabilities by donating today.
PHILADELPHIA • WYOMISSING • NEWARK • FORT KNOX
