TOM CONNELLY: Georgia vocational and rehab agency offers a helping hand

The Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency can deservedly give itself a pat on the back for assisting two more clients become productive members of society. Joe Bishop and Harry Spruill serve as living examples of what people can do when they are provided support to obtain their goals.

It was in college at Valdosta State University that Joe began experiencing severe pain in his chest. (This was partially due to his left side not being as developed as his right side.) To deal with this, Joe visited the local VR office. There, his counselor provided both tuition and books for his junior and senior years at VSU, as well as for his three years in law school at UGA. During this time, his VR counselor consistently encouraged Joe to maintain a high grade point average.

These days, the Honorable Joe Bishop can be found during working hours in the Southwest Georgia town of Dawson, where he serves as Superior Court judge of the Pataula Circuit Superior Court.

In his spare time, Joe can be found sometimes training for a 5K or training youths interested in public speaking. Concerning this latter aspect, Joe has distinguished himself by coaching two national public speaking champions, as well as several finalists in public speaking.

Concerning his time with VR, Judge Bishop was “extremely satisfied” with the assistance he received from the agency and said he “would definitely recommend (GVRA) to anyone who has a disability and is seeking employment.”

Harry sought services from GVRA after he experienced difficulty finding employment following graduating from Westover High School. This young man, an Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts despite having the disability of Asperger Syndrome, was served by Sondra Hudson, CRC.

Ms. Hudson and the agency provided Harry with 21 services to help him obtain a suitable job. Included in this list were services revolving around academics, as well as those pertaining to finding and keeping a job, and counseling and guidance.

Concerning the former point, VR provided Harry with academic training as well as books and supplies for classes at Westover and later at Darton College. And when Harry changed his goal, Ms. Hudson and VR provided him with the services to help him accomplish his new goal. Concerning vocational related services, this young man received services such as job readiness training, work adjustment training, job placement and job follow-up.

Harry was “very satisfied with his experience with VR.” He indicated that Ms. Hudson “helped him any way she could.” For instance, she helped him attend the appropriate classes at Darton College, and helped pay for his expenses there. Mr. Spruill “would definitely recommend GVRA to anyone with a disability who is (seeking employment).”

Tom Connelly is a public affairs specialist with the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency. This is the first in a series of weekly guest columns for National Disability Employment Awareness Month in October.