Happy 20th Anniversary, Shari!
In July 2026, I celebrated my 20th anniversary of being employed at Goodwill Easter Seals Miami Valley (GESMV).
To be honest, I wasn’t sure if I’d be working for 20 years. To keep it real, I wasn’t sure if I’d be working at all. Like many people, I wanted to have a career, but the workforce is not always accepting of workers with disabilities. There can be a lot of reasons for this, but in my experience, two of the most common are:
- The assumption that a person with a disability is simply incapable
- Some employers do not care to take the time to learn about our culture
Frankly, the reason doesn't matter, because people with disabilities can possess the same amount of determination to experience everything this world has to offer, including work.
I’m here to let you know that people with disabilities are some of the best workers in the world. When I was first entering the workforce, I knew it was possible that the odds of getting hired may be stacked against me. My disability is visible and straightforward; there’s no way to disguise it. Even if I could hide it, I wouldn’t, because I’m truly ok with myself.
Over the course of my 20 year career, I’ve found that I am capable of even more than I thought! From learning new software programs to coming up with new ideas and proposing them to the team, I’ve taken on new challenges and grown more confident. I’m not just a statistic the company needs to meet its quota – I am a valuable part of the agency. I hold myself accountable for the work I’m responsible for, and I’m proud of what I do.
I admit I also love working because I like getting paid. But working means more to me than just that. Knowing that I am actively contributing as part of the working class gives me a sense of pride. I’m doing my part to make the world a better place, and there is no better feeling in the world than that.
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month! As I celebrate my 20-year work anniversary, I’m going to stop and celebrate this major milestone. To say I’m proud of myself is an understatement. Overcoming the barriers I faced to get an employer to recognize my capabilities meant I stayed the course and didn’t give up.
Are you a person with a disability who has a story of resilience in finding work? I’d love to hear from you! Please share your story with me via email at s.cooper@gesmv.org, or comment on our Facebook post. In the meantime, this working girl is going to celebrate! Cheers to 20 years!