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Welcome back to another episode of Inside Rehabilitation Counseling.
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I'm CRCC, Director of Communications and Marketing Taylor Bauer, and I'm glad to have you here for another conversation about the art and impact of rehabilitation counseling.
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At 24, Derek Haudricourt was suddenly diagnosed with a life-changing disability.
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Work and supporting his family suddenly were put in jeopardy, and as you'll hear in today's episode, seemed to be out of the question.
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That was until he connected with a certified rehabilitation counselor.
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Derek's story is like many who acquire a disability, and thanks to his tenacity and drive, as well as the support of a CRC, he was able to define his future for himself.
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Please enjoy this conversation.
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Derek, thank you so much for joining me here on Inside Rehabilitation Counseling.
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Um, we we've spoken uh once or twice before this uh discussion, but I'm really looking forward to getting to learn more about your journey, about you know the exciting things you have going on, particularly in the last few weeks.
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And um, really grateful for your time today.
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How's everything going for you?
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Everything's going very well.
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Thank you for sharing this platform with me.
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I really appreciate the time.
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I'm glad we can make time finally.
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Everything's going really good lately.
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I've got no complaints.
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I need to seek no further assistance.
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I'm good right now.
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That's great to hear.
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Yeah.
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And you know, it's funny you mentioned the scheduling.
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I feel like sometimes that's like half the battle, right, with setting up time, especially when you've had so many exciting things going on.
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And, you know, one of the things we've done a lot of on this podcast is have folks that are CRCs or who work in the vocational rehabilitation space come on.
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You, other than people who maybe were once clients who then became CRCs, you're going to be our first guest who who i is on that client side who can kind of talk about their journey.
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And if if you're comfortable kind of starting from the beginning, um, can you tell me a little bit about your disability and what navigating that disability um felt like after your diagnosis?
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Sure.
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Um, 2008, I was 24 years old.
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I woke up and I couldn't see anything out of my right eye.
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It was like looking into a foggy bathroom mirror.
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So I went to see an eye doctor.
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They told me I had diabetic retinopathy.
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And if things didn't change drastically, it was going to happen in the other eye in maybe six months.
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And about seven months, it happened in the other eye.
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So from May to December of 2008, I was totally blind.
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I was working in a contact center at that time.
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You know, I was doing bill collection, so I was working a phone and a computer very heavy.
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And I had no idea how was I going to continue to do that to provide for my family.
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I I had no idea who to reach out to or where to look for any type of help.
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Everything was just so new.
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Um, the blind community where I grew up is very, very small.
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It's usually just elders.
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So I didn't know of things to do or, you know, really anything anything about being blind or the blind lifestyle, as it were.
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And it's definitely an awakening and it makes you really pull your boots up and let you know you really got to take care of things.
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You mentioned to live 24 years of your life not navigating that disability, to then kind of be thrust into that without knowing kind of what that ecosystem was for support or resources and things like that.
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On top of, you know, just the the the medical side of kind of like, oh my gosh, like what's this new thing that's happening uh in my life?
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Like you said, with work and all of those things that I can imagine was just kind of like a very surreal, overwhelming period.
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And then obviously everything that comes after is just trying to figure out how do I how do I move forward with this thing that I'm experiencing.
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It really took me a while to come to terms with being a blind person.
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Um I just kind of sat around poor me for uh maybe almost the time of two years until I was just like, this this really is enough.
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There's gotta be something somewhere.
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And that was when I found the first rehabilitation place and started services.
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Yeah, and and I think something we've talked about on a previous episode is this idea of like kind of disability grief, particularly with um acquired disabilities, that it's a very natural thing when you have this new condition that you didn't have before to, like you said, kind of go through a period where you you you almost shut down a little bit because it's just so staggering, I would imagine, to have your your life kind of thrown a curveball like that.
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That really, as you mentioned, between supporting a family, between work, um navigating a community, those are things that are all now vastly different for you and things that you don't have kind of a basis for navigating in this way because this is something new that you're kind of um coming to terms with, but then also like getting to know in real time.
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So I'm I'm curious, you know, when that period of kind of like you said, um feeling as if like what on earth am I supposed to do next?
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Um kind of came to a point where you were ready to say, okay, let's figure this out and figure out what that next chapter is.
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Where did kind of that motivation to figure out what comes next come from?
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Was it kind of that work factor you had mentioned?
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And and and where was work kind of playing a role in your desire to be like, okay, I need to kind of tackle this head on?
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It was during the rehabilitation process.
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I was just going through basic blind life skills.
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And one of the counselors or you know, staff along the way had told me, when you get out of your own way, you're gonna do amazing things.
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And that was the first time I kind of had anybody tell me that, you know, I might be able to do something, let alone something great.
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And then when I finished those rehabilitation services and I really kind of took to learning Jaws, the screen reader.
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And then I was like, you know, there's there's got to be something further.
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That's when the organization introduced me to work rehabilitation, and that was when I had started to kind of feel like, oh man, I I can provide for my family again.
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This could be possible.
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I could feel normal.
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And I think there's such a there's such an important role that not only like work, but like you said, those life skills play in kind of almost like ramping yourself up to be like, no, even if this is something that has completely changed, you know, my world, these are things I can tackle.
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And having those like professionals and those rehabilitation um support staff to be able to kind of like get you to that point, where then it doesn't feel like you have to always turn to um external forces, right, to get that motivation.
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Like those are things that are in you.
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And I always find it fascinating when I talk to folks who have worked with uh rehabilitation counselors that are that have a disability, that they talked about this process of like you kind of look around to the people around you and say, like, you know, I kind of I need help, I need this support.
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And then you slowly start to feel like, oh, I I'm I'm I can also show up for me.
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And it kind of sounds like that's a little bit of what this process was like for you, especially getting acclimated to things like Jaws and some of those blind life skills.
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Certainly.
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So as you started, you know, going through accessing these services, um, the the way that we got connected was with a certified rehabilitation counselor, uh Jillian Snyder.
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And tell me about the first time that you that you worked with with Jillian.
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Did her approach feel different or stand out in any particular way with kind of what you had experienced uh that that far in the rehabilitation process?
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Certainly.
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Uh working with Jill was definitely different.
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She was the second counselor that I was connected with to try to find something better.
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Uh the first counselor, I feel like just was going through the motions, was kind of putting me in the the government programs that she needed to, you know, get numbers on.
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And I just I just kind of felt like I was being pigeonholed into something I might not ever even want to do.
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But working with Jill was different.
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The first meeting we had, we just had a conversation.
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It wasn't the typical going through the interview checklist of what are your skills?
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You know, what are your weaknesses.
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Just having conversation with me, she kind of pulled that information from the conversation.
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So that way I didn't feel like I was being grilled in our first interaction.
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She just found a way to connect with me that really made it feel way more comfortable going through this process or trying to find something that was better suited to my needs or my skills.
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That's definitely something I feel like is a strength of CRCs, is um, you know, not jumping right to I I don't, you know, not to disparage other professionals, but not jumping right to how do we get you the outcome you're looking for so we can move on to the next person, right?
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It's very challenging with high caseloads for some uh some work settings to give folks that time.
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And from from what we hear from clients and from uh professionals in this field, CRCs really do kind of have that human first approach.
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Um, you know, if if they're the professional that's supposed to help you navigate finding work or uh community integration, whatever it might be, how does that start anywhere else other than getting to know you as a person?
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You know, and that's such a vastly more productive way in my eyes to figure out how you can best, you know, be of service to someone by first knowing like who they even are, you know, what are your goals, aspirations, things like that.
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Um, did it feel kind of almost um, I don't want to say like surprising, but were you kind of um taken off guard by how conversational or like personable that approach was compared to other professionals you had worked with?
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I didn't even realize any assessing was being done.
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I I had a couple minutes into it, I just thought we were having a conversation.
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She was just kind kind of trying to get to see who I was as a person or what I might, you know, be able to do.
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But when you feel like that person is vested in your outcome, it makes it a lot easier to be honest and to be comfortable being honest.
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So that way you really can address what issues you may have or what things need to be corrected or straightened up.
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Well, especially in in a in a relationship like with uh somebody you're you're you're meeting with for vocational services or rehabilitation services, there's an inherent vulnerability we've talked a lot about on this podcast about it's not it's not like a given that someone's going to come to you as a CRC and just be ready to like share every little ounce of their life with you.
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You know, that's a very personal thing.
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Everyone's disability journey is different.
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And the idea that you're constantly expected to go to these new professionals and just talk all about this condition you're experiencing, the challenges you're facing, how it's making you feel, and then having to do that again and again with medical professionals, with with uh employers, with anybody really, that's a lot to be asking of disabled individuals.
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And something I find um CRCs to be very good at is, you know, they do need to learn about you and the limitations you're facing and what your goals are and things like that.
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But it goes so much deeper than just, you know, run me through what you're experiencing so I can get you the solution as fast as possible.
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Based on that initial conversation with with Jillian and then kind of talking about what could possibly come next for you, what were some of the initial things that, you know, once you realized she was kind of doing a little bit of like um analysis or evaluation, what were some of those initial things that you talked with her about, you know, identifying support or things to be able to figure out what employment was going to look like for you?
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Well, when I was linked with Jillian, I had already held a position as a contact center agent.
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And being good with the computer and just being personable on the phone was something I felt very comfortable doing.
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So I was kind of trying to guide, you know, conversation or that take that direction to contact center work.
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So we didn't have to try to address a wide scope of am I good at assembling things, am I good at remembering things, those types of character building things.
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Unfortunately, I wasn't able to work with Jill long enough to really have a successful job offer by the end of our interactions because I had had to move.
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I moved out of the area, found rehabilitation services in the area, was, and I just felt like I was not being taken care of or the things I was trying to communicate weren't being responded to.
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And I was so frustrated, I didn't know where to go.
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So I had called Jill and asked her, you know, what do I do in this situation?
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You know, this is the person that's supposed to have my back, the person that's supposed to be going to bat for me in these situations.
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And I felt like they just weren't.
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And she happened to be on a family outing and pulled the car over off the road and actually tried to talk me off the ledge, so to speak, of just giving up on ever trying to find employment.
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And it it just kind of reinstated that that when the counselors do care, the outcome does feel to be a little more positive, whether it's a completed job offer or just a really great interaction with a counselor.
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I think that is one thing that we hear a lot is, you know, sometimes cases get moved, whether you're the one moving areas or whatever.
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Um, and we all know, like, for folks that don't take that kind of human first approach and really center you as a person and try to just move through the motions, like you said, that outcome is just gonna be weaker.
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And it it's incredible to hear the the story about, you know, Jillian pulling over on her on her family trip and talking with you.
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And I do think that says a lot about her, obviously.
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I mean, she's wonderful, but um, also just like the the mindset that goes into people who pursue this work in general and the idea that, you know, this isn't just about moving people into the first job possible or the first job available.
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It's about, you know, building connections with someone and and using the the knowledge that you've gained in school and and in internship practicum, all these things that CRCs have to do to become nationally certified, and then be able to apply that and kind of combine that really with like that passion for being there for someone.
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And as you mentioned, like your initial time with her didn't result in a um in a job uh position.
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And that doesn't necessarily, you know, based on what you're telling me, make it sound like somehow that relationship or that time with with Jillian wasn't successful.
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What can you tell me about some of those like maybe intangible things that you really took away from knowing Jillian and maybe continue to take away from her, especially when it comes to like, you know, like your mental wellness, your confidence and things like that?
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So some of those skills and traits, things that we were trying to work on to have positive interviews and to get that callback, I took and started using in my own personal life to become a more independent and confident person there as well.
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I didn't even know really that I was, but it just kind of carried over.
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I had actually ran into her at a you know non-work function, and she had reminded me, oh my gosh, you know, you're standing straight, you're smiling, you look so confident.
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And those were all things that you know we were working on that I really didn't have before that I even carried over into my personal life.
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So things were working for me that I really didn't even know were happening.
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Yeah, and it's it's nice that when you ran into her again in that setting, you know, it wasn't planned, you weren't expecting to see one another.
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And for her to be able to see that noticeable difference from the first time that she met with you, I think is so um is so powerful.
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And like, as much as we love to sing the praises of CRCs, obviously on the podcast, um, that says also a lot about you and the way that you took to heart the things that you discussed with Jillian and kind of, you know, to go from, you know, post-um diagnosis and all of that and feeling like what on earth could be nuts for me, to then going into spaces like this with the things that you had learned and and kind of like living those things out um to be like the the truest version of yourself.
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I think that says a lot about your um perseverance and your ability to understand that like even if this thing wasn't something I was expecting to experience, I'm like in the driver's seat, if you will, of being able to say, like, here's what comes next.
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And I think um there are a lot of folks that would really look to that as something that, you know, not only like admirable, right?
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But also like kind of a source of inspiration to be like, that's what that's how I need to approach this thing that I'm experiencing.
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And I think it's wonderful, obviously, that she was able to see that.
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And I'm really hoping, obviously, from this podcast that people hear that in you as well.
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Because a lot of people with disabilities, you know, if they're seeking work or services or whatever it might be, a lot of them do end up feeling at some point, maybe not permanently, that like this might just not be an option for them.
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Work might not be an option, living independently might not be an option.
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Um, based on your experience, how can working with a CRC maybe help to make those things that feel inaccessible to become accessible for somebody?
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Sure.
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Everything just kind of feels unknown, uncertain.
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There is a bunch of fear that comes with that as well.
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Being able to ask questions to somebody who really has the specialized or specific skills of knowing that information or knowing those types of programs really kept me in the loop of being independent and confident with without all those things, without exposure to those programs or those people.
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I I just I don't feel I would have gained or maintained the independence and confidence that I have.
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When your counselor like understands you more as a person and understands what type of things you'd respond well to, or what type of programs could really help you without you even asking for it, it really does kind of help complete a picture you were trying to paint that you didn't even know was being finished.
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Yeah.
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I love the way that you said that.
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And I think it is seeing those pieces like come together, I think is such an impactful part of this work.
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And it's kind of why we started the podcast in in general, is to be able to share with people like the impact of this work.
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And I like to think of it very much as like it starts in a very humble place, right?
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It starts with a conversation of getting to know the person across from you and and to be able to talk to them about, you know, their journey and everybody's experiences in life are subjective and everything that you've experienced, someone with the same exact diagnosis as you has experienced a completely different thing, even if there are similarities.
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And I think CRCs do take an approach of, you know, treating individuals like individuals and not like a number on a, you know, a sheet or um, you know, a a a data point that they have to work through a certain system or something like that.
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And um, it definitely sounds like that was, you know, the case for you.
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And I think one of the things that we talked to a lot of people with disabilities about is that it's not always necessarily just always about work.
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How did Jillian's knowledge of services in your community that were available to you kind of help you connect to other outlets of support?
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Like was she able to point you in the direction of things that um maybe if she wasn't directly involved in, were were still able to kind of aid you on this light journey of finding out your next chapter?
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Uh Jill was just always there to answer my questions.
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So the knowledge she had was important about the services that were in the local area because you know, being sighted going blind, again, I I had no idea what was out there.
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Um she even went further than just trying to make sure that I was feeling whole and employed to let me know that there were, you know, bowling leagues for blind people in the area to sign up for and things that could just give me more exposure to the world to kind of show the things that I've built and the things that I've managed to obtain as character skills and abilities as a blind person.
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She really made me feel like I was I wasn't a blind person who was defined my disability.
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I was a person who happened to be blind.
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I mean, well said.
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And I think even something like a bowling league or those those social spaces in in which you can like talk to other people who are, you know, to some extent experiencing what you're experiencing, that can permeate everything, right?
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Like something as simple as getting to bowl with with with folks who are also blind or visually impaired can then lead to conversations or things that maybe in real time you're like kind of reflecting on yourself and saying, like, that's something I can take away to this next experience or this next relationship.
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And um it it's it's always an understated thing about, you know, like a CRC who lives in a city doesn't just know like who the employers are, they know what's what services are available to folks, what um community groups are available, and and and how to access them in the way that's going to fit your, you know, your lifestyle best.
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And it's wonderful to That that was something she was able to connect you to.
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Um, you know, as we're kind of wrapping up here, I wanted to give listeners a little peek behind the curtain because there is kind of um a really cool uh thing happening in your life right now.
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We had to reschedule recording a couple times because you've actually um just started a new job opportunity.
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Can you tell me a little bit about that?
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Uh yes.
00:22:22.400 --> 00:22:28.480
I have accepted a role as a social care screener navigator for an organization that's here locally.
00:22:28.480 --> 00:22:35.200
I've just completed, you know, all of my training, and that was kind of why we had to reschedule some of our things.
00:22:35.200 --> 00:23:01.759
Is um this video Zoom meeting was only available on a Thursday, so I had to, you know, change work hours and thank you so very much for opening this door for me to be able to kind of get my story out there and hopefully inspire somebody else who has just gone blind or maybe looking for some type of assistance out there or getting back to work and they just don't know where to turn.
00:23:01.759 --> 00:23:08.640
Looking for ACRC in the area is definitely the first step to making great leaps and bounds.
00:23:08.960 --> 00:23:17.839
It looks like I told you via email, rescheduling because you're starting a new job and you have this really exciting process getting going is like my favorite reason to reschedule, you know.
00:23:17.839 --> 00:23:23.359
When it's someone like, oh, I'm under the weather, that's a lot less exciting than hey, I have to do training for this new role.
00:23:23.359 --> 00:23:29.039
And I know when we initially spoke, you were saying that was getting finalized, and it it's wonderful that that's gotten going.
00:23:29.039 --> 00:23:32.559
And that kind of leads me to where I've thought we could end today's conversation.
00:23:32.559 --> 00:23:44.240
But you know, for someone with a disability who's maybe thinking of getting back to work or seeking their first role, um, what advice would you give them, or maybe like what things do you wish you could have told yourself when you started this journey?
00:23:44.559 --> 00:23:48.319
I wish I would have given the process a little bit more time.
00:23:48.319 --> 00:23:55.279
I tried to hurry things because uh again, with the first counselor, I just felt like I was a number.
00:23:55.279 --> 00:24:00.079
I was going into programs, but that doesn't have to be the case.
00:24:00.079 --> 00:24:02.880
You can ask for a CRC in the area.
00:24:02.880 --> 00:24:07.039
You you can work with somebody who makes you feel comfortable.
00:24:07.039 --> 00:24:17.279
And hopefully that next person that does enter the process helps you humanize asking for help the way Jillian did for me.
00:24:19.039 --> 00:24:24.000
Thank you to Derek for sharing his story and to Jillian Snyder for connecting me with him.
00:24:24.000 --> 00:24:28.640
You can find both of their LinkedIn pages and the show notes if you wish to connect with them.
00:24:28.640 --> 00:24:35.359
Client stories like Derek's are immensely valuable when we look at growing the opportunities available for CRCs.
00:24:35.359 --> 00:24:44.799
If you are a CRC who has a client who would be willing to speak with us, please get in touch with us at contactus at CRCcertification.com.
00:24:44.799 --> 00:24:58.400
Successful client stories are eligible for continuing education, so please consider connecting us with someone and help make sure that anybody who could benefit from working with a CRC knows that that option is available to them.
00:24:58.400 --> 00:25:06.720
If you don't have a client to share with us, the next best thing is to like and subscribe to this podcast on social media as well as your favorite podcast platform.
00:25:06.720 --> 00:25:14.319
Go ahead and search Inside Rehabilitation Counseling on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you're listening to us today.
00:25:14.319 --> 00:25:19.119
You can find links to our Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn pages in the show notes.
00:25:19.119 --> 00:25:24.799
And as always, thank you for spending time with us and listening to this episode of Inside Rehabilitation Counseling.
00:25:24.799 --> 00:25:28.640
I'm CRCC, Director of Communications and Marketing Taylor Bauer.
00:25:28.640 --> 00:25:29.680
Take care.
00:00:04.240 --> 00:00:07.759
Welcome back to another episode of Inside Rehabilitation Counseling.
00:00:07.759 --> 00:00:17.839
I'm CRCC, Director of Communications and Marketing Taylor Bauer, and I'm glad to have you here for another conversation about the art and impact of rehabilitation counseling.
00:00:17.839 --> 00:00:22.719
At 24, Derek Haudricourt was suddenly diagnosed with a life-changing disability.
00:00:22.719 --> 00:00:30.079
Work and supporting his family suddenly were put in jeopardy, and as you'll hear in today's episode, seemed to be out of the question.
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That was until he connected with a certified rehabilitation counselor.
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Derek's story is like many who acquire a disability, and thanks to his tenacity and drive, as well as the support of a CRC, he was able to define his future for himself.
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Please enjoy this conversation.
00:00:46.159 --> 00:00:51.119
Derek, thank you so much for joining me here on Inside Rehabilitation Counseling.
00:00:51.119 --> 00:01:03.039
Um, we we've spoken uh once or twice before this uh discussion, but I'm really looking forward to getting to learn more about your journey, about you know the exciting things you have going on, particularly in the last few weeks.
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And um, really grateful for your time today.
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How's everything going for you?
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Everything's going very well.
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Thank you for sharing this platform with me.
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I really appreciate the time.
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I'm glad we can make time finally.
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Everything's going really good lately.
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I've got no complaints.
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I need to seek no further assistance.
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I'm good right now.
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That's great to hear.
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Yeah.
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And you know, it's funny you mentioned the scheduling.
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I feel like sometimes that's like half the battle, right, with setting up time, especially when you've had so many exciting things going on.
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And, you know, one of the things we've done a lot of on this podcast is have folks that are CRCs or who work in the vocational rehabilitation space come on.
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You, other than people who maybe were once clients who then became CRCs, you're going to be our first guest who who i is on that client side who can kind of talk about their journey.
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And if if you're comfortable kind of starting from the beginning, um, can you tell me a little bit about your disability and what navigating that disability um felt like after your diagnosis?
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Sure.
00:01:58.640 --> 00:02:01.519
Um, 2008, I was 24 years old.
00:02:01.519 --> 00:02:04.640
I woke up and I couldn't see anything out of my right eye.
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It was like looking into a foggy bathroom mirror.
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So I went to see an eye doctor.
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They told me I had diabetic retinopathy.
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And if things didn't change drastically, it was going to happen in the other eye in maybe six months.
00:02:15.840 --> 00:02:18.639
And about seven months, it happened in the other eye.
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So from May to December of 2008, I was totally blind.
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I was working in a contact center at that time.
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You know, I was doing bill collection, so I was working a phone and a computer very heavy.
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And I had no idea how was I going to continue to do that to provide for my family.
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I I had no idea who to reach out to or where to look for any type of help.
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Everything was just so new.
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Um, the blind community where I grew up is very, very small.
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It's usually just elders.
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So I didn't know of things to do or, you know, really anything anything about being blind or the blind lifestyle, as it were.
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And it's definitely an awakening and it makes you really pull your boots up and let you know you really got to take care of things.
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You mentioned to live 24 years of your life not navigating that disability, to then kind of be thrust into that without knowing kind of what that ecosystem was for support or resources and things like that.
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On top of, you know, just the the the medical side of kind of like, oh my gosh, like what's this new thing that's happening uh in my life?
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Like you said, with work and all of those things that I can imagine was just kind of like a very surreal, overwhelming period.
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And then obviously everything that comes after is just trying to figure out how do I how do I move forward with this thing that I'm experiencing.
00:03:42.719 --> 00:03:47.120
It really took me a while to come to terms with being a blind person.
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Um I just kind of sat around poor me for uh maybe almost the time of two years until I was just like, this this really is enough.
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There's gotta be something somewhere.
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And that was when I found the first rehabilitation place and started services.
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Yeah, and and I think something we've talked about on a previous episode is this idea of like kind of disability grief, particularly with um acquired disabilities, that it's a very natural thing when you have this new condition that you didn't have before to, like you said, kind of go through a period where you you you almost shut down a little bit because it's just so staggering, I would imagine, to have your your life kind of thrown a curveball like that.
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That really, as you mentioned, between supporting a family, between work, um navigating a community, those are things that are all now vastly different for you and things that you don't have kind of a basis for navigating in this way because this is something new that you're kind of um coming to terms with, but then also like getting to know in real time.
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So I'm I'm curious, you know, when that period of kind of like you said, um feeling as if like what on earth am I supposed to do next?
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Um kind of came to a point where you were ready to say, okay, let's figure this out and figure out what that next chapter is.
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Where did kind of that motivation to figure out what comes next come from?
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Was it kind of that work factor you had mentioned?
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And and and where was work kind of playing a role in your desire to be like, okay, I need to kind of tackle this head on?
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It was during the rehabilitation process.
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I was just going through basic blind life skills.
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And one of the counselors or you know, staff along the way had told me, when you get out of your own way, you're gonna do amazing things.
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And that was the first time I kind of had anybody tell me that, you know, I might be able to do something, let alone something great.
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And then when I finished those rehabilitation services and I really kind of took to learning Jaws, the screen reader.
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And then I was like, you know, there's there's got to be something further.
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That's when the organization introduced me to work rehabilitation, and that was when I had started to kind of feel like, oh man, I I can provide for my family again.
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This could be possible.
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I could feel normal.
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And I think there's such a there's such an important role that not only like work, but like you said, those life skills play in kind of almost like ramping yourself up to be like, no, even if this is something that has completely changed, you know, my world, these are things I can tackle.
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And having those like professionals and those rehabilitation um support staff to be able to kind of like get you to that point, where then it doesn't feel like you have to always turn to um external forces, right, to get that motivation.
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Like those are things that are in you.
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And I always find it fascinating when I talk to folks who have worked with uh rehabilitation counselors that are that have a disability, that they talked about this process of like you kind of look around to the people around you and say, like, you know, I kind of I need help, I need this support.
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And then you slowly start to feel like, oh, I I'm I'm I can also show up for me.
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And it kind of sounds like that's a little bit of what this process was like for you, especially getting acclimated to things like Jaws and some of those blind life skills.
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Certainly.
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So as you started, you know, going through accessing these services, um, the the way that we got connected was with a certified rehabilitation counselor, uh Jillian Snyder.
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And tell me about the first time that you that you worked with with Jillian.
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Did her approach feel different or stand out in any particular way with kind of what you had experienced uh that that far in the rehabilitation process?
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Certainly.
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Uh working with Jill was definitely different.
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She was the second counselor that I was connected with to try to find something better.
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Uh the first counselor, I feel like just was going through the motions, was kind of putting me in the the government programs that she needed to, you know, get numbers on.
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And I just I just kind of felt like I was being pigeonholed into something I might not ever even want to do.
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But working with Jill was different.
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The first meeting we had, we just had a conversation.
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It wasn't the typical going through the interview checklist of what are your skills?
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You know, what are your weaknesses.
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Just having conversation with me, she kind of pulled that information from the conversation.
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So that way I didn't feel like I was being grilled in our first interaction.
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She just found a way to connect with me that really made it feel way more comfortable going through this process or trying to find something that was better suited to my needs or my skills.
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That's definitely something I feel like is a strength of CRCs, is um, you know, not jumping right to I I don't, you know, not to disparage other professionals, but not jumping right to how do we get you the outcome you're looking for so we can move on to the next person, right?
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It's very challenging with high caseloads for some uh some work settings to give folks that time.
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And from from what we hear from clients and from uh professionals in this field, CRCs really do kind of have that human first approach.
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Um, you know, if if they're the professional that's supposed to help you navigate finding work or uh community integration, whatever it might be, how does that start anywhere else other than getting to know you as a person?
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You know, and that's such a vastly more productive way in my eyes to figure out how you can best, you know, be of service to someone by first knowing like who they even are, you know, what are your goals, aspirations, things like that.
00:09:39.679 --> 00:09:53.360
Um, did it feel kind of almost um, I don't want to say like surprising, but were you kind of um taken off guard by how conversational or like personable that approach was compared to other professionals you had worked with?
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I didn't even realize any assessing was being done.
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I I had a couple minutes into it, I just thought we were having a conversation.
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She was just kind kind of trying to get to see who I was as a person or what I might, you know, be able to do.
00:10:06.240 --> 00:10:16.639
But when you feel like that person is vested in your outcome, it makes it a lot easier to be honest and to be comfortable being honest.
00:10:16.639 --> 00:10:24.720
So that way you really can address what issues you may have or what things need to be corrected or straightened up.
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Well, especially in in a in a relationship like with uh somebody you're you're you're meeting with for vocational services or rehabilitation services, there's an inherent vulnerability we've talked a lot about on this podcast about it's not it's not like a given that someone's going to come to you as a CRC and just be ready to like share every little ounce of their life with you.
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You know, that's a very personal thing.
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Everyone's disability journey is different.
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And the idea that you're constantly expected to go to these new professionals and just talk all about this condition you're experiencing, the challenges you're facing, how it's making you feel, and then having to do that again and again with medical professionals, with with uh employers, with anybody really, that's a lot to be asking of disabled individuals.
00:11:14.559 --> 00:11:24.559
And something I find um CRCs to be very good at is, you know, they do need to learn about you and the limitations you're facing and what your goals are and things like that.
00:11:24.559 --> 00:11:31.759
But it goes so much deeper than just, you know, run me through what you're experiencing so I can get you the solution as fast as possible.
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Based on that initial conversation with with Jillian and then kind of talking about what could possibly come next for you, what were some of the initial things that, you know, once you realized she was kind of doing a little bit of like um analysis or evaluation, what were some of those initial things that you talked with her about, you know, identifying support or things to be able to figure out what employment was going to look like for you?
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Well, when I was linked with Jillian, I had already held a position as a contact center agent.
00:12:04.080 --> 00:12:10.799
And being good with the computer and just being personable on the phone was something I felt very comfortable doing.
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So I was kind of trying to guide, you know, conversation or that take that direction to contact center work.
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So we didn't have to try to address a wide scope of am I good at assembling things, am I good at remembering things, those types of character building things.
00:12:29.759 --> 00:12:40.639
Unfortunately, I wasn't able to work with Jill long enough to really have a successful job offer by the end of our interactions because I had had to move.
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I moved out of the area, found rehabilitation services in the area, was, and I just felt like I was not being taken care of or the things I was trying to communicate weren't being responded to.
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And I was so frustrated, I didn't know where to go.
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So I had called Jill and asked her, you know, what do I do in this situation?
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You know, this is the person that's supposed to have my back, the person that's supposed to be going to bat for me in these situations.
00:13:08.799 --> 00:13:11.120
And I felt like they just weren't.
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And she happened to be on a family outing and pulled the car over off the road and actually tried to talk me off the ledge, so to speak, of just giving up on ever trying to find employment.
00:13:23.679 --> 00:13:37.679
And it it just kind of reinstated that that when the counselors do care, the outcome does feel to be a little more positive, whether it's a completed job offer or just a really great interaction with a counselor.
00:13:38.159 --> 00:13:46.399
I think that is one thing that we hear a lot is, you know, sometimes cases get moved, whether you're the one moving areas or whatever.
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Um, and we all know, like, for folks that don't take that kind of human first approach and really center you as a person and try to just move through the motions, like you said, that outcome is just gonna be weaker.
00:14:00.559 --> 00:14:08.080
And it it's incredible to hear the the story about, you know, Jillian pulling over on her on her family trip and talking with you.
00:14:08.080 --> 00:14:10.639
And I do think that says a lot about her, obviously.
00:14:10.639 --> 00:14:24.720
I mean, she's wonderful, but um, also just like the the mindset that goes into people who pursue this work in general and the idea that, you know, this isn't just about moving people into the first job possible or the first job available.
00:14:24.720 --> 00:14:43.120
It's about, you know, building connections with someone and and using the the knowledge that you've gained in school and and in internship practicum, all these things that CRCs have to do to become nationally certified, and then be able to apply that and kind of combine that really with like that passion for being there for someone.
00:14:43.120 --> 00:14:51.840
And as you mentioned, like your initial time with her didn't result in a um in a job uh position.
00:14:51.840 --> 00:14:59.600
And that doesn't necessarily, you know, based on what you're telling me, make it sound like somehow that relationship or that time with with Jillian wasn't successful.
00:14:59.600 --> 00:15:13.039
What can you tell me about some of those like maybe intangible things that you really took away from knowing Jillian and maybe continue to take away from her, especially when it comes to like, you know, like your mental wellness, your confidence and things like that?
00:15:13.360 --> 00:15:29.039
So some of those skills and traits, things that we were trying to work on to have positive interviews and to get that callback, I took and started using in my own personal life to become a more independent and confident person there as well.
00:15:29.039 --> 00:15:33.519
I didn't even know really that I was, but it just kind of carried over.
00:15:33.519 --> 00:15:43.360
I had actually ran into her at a you know non-work function, and she had reminded me, oh my gosh, you know, you're standing straight, you're smiling, you look so confident.
00:15:43.360 --> 00:15:50.720
And those were all things that you know we were working on that I really didn't have before that I even carried over into my personal life.
00:15:50.720 --> 00:15:55.840
So things were working for me that I really didn't even know were happening.
00:15:56.960 --> 00:16:04.559
Yeah, and it's it's nice that when you ran into her again in that setting, you know, it wasn't planned, you weren't expecting to see one another.
00:16:04.559 --> 00:16:12.080
And for her to be able to see that noticeable difference from the first time that she met with you, I think is so um is so powerful.
00:16:12.080 --> 00:16:44.559
And like, as much as we love to sing the praises of CRCs, obviously on the podcast, um, that says also a lot about you and the way that you took to heart the things that you discussed with Jillian and kind of, you know, to go from, you know, post-um diagnosis and all of that and feeling like what on earth could be nuts for me, to then going into spaces like this with the things that you had learned and and kind of like living those things out um to be like the the truest version of yourself.
00:16:44.559 --> 00:17:00.399
I think that says a lot about your um perseverance and your ability to understand that like even if this thing wasn't something I was expecting to experience, I'm like in the driver's seat, if you will, of being able to say, like, here's what comes next.
00:17:00.399 --> 00:17:09.200
And I think um there are a lot of folks that would really look to that as something that, you know, not only like admirable, right?
00:17:09.200 --> 00:17:15.519
But also like kind of a source of inspiration to be like, that's what that's how I need to approach this thing that I'm experiencing.
00:17:15.519 --> 00:17:19.119
And I think it's wonderful, obviously, that she was able to see that.
00:17:19.119 --> 00:17:22.960
And I'm really hoping, obviously, from this podcast that people hear that in you as well.
00:17:22.960 --> 00:17:35.839
Because a lot of people with disabilities, you know, if they're seeking work or services or whatever it might be, a lot of them do end up feeling at some point, maybe not permanently, that like this might just not be an option for them.
00:17:35.839 --> 00:17:39.759
Work might not be an option, living independently might not be an option.
00:17:39.759 --> 00:17:50.559
Um, based on your experience, how can working with a CRC maybe help to make those things that feel inaccessible to become accessible for somebody?
00:17:50.960 --> 00:17:51.279
Sure.
00:17:51.279 --> 00:17:55.599
Everything just kind of feels unknown, uncertain.
00:17:55.599 --> 00:17:59.519
There is a bunch of fear that comes with that as well.
00:17:59.519 --> 00:18:21.279
Being able to ask questions to somebody who really has the specialized or specific skills of knowing that information or knowing those types of programs really kept me in the loop of being independent and confident with without all those things, without exposure to those programs or those people.
00:18:21.279 --> 00:18:27.440
I I just I don't feel I would have gained or maintained the independence and confidence that I have.
00:18:27.440 --> 00:18:47.519
When your counselor like understands you more as a person and understands what type of things you'd respond well to, or what type of programs could really help you without you even asking for it, it really does kind of help complete a picture you were trying to paint that you didn't even know was being finished.
00:18:47.839 --> 00:18:48.079
Yeah.
00:18:48.079 --> 00:18:49.519
I love the way that you said that.
00:18:49.519 --> 00:18:55.839
And I think it is seeing those pieces like come together, I think is such an impactful part of this work.
00:18:55.839 --> 00:19:02.960
And it's kind of why we started the podcast in in general, is to be able to share with people like the impact of this work.
00:19:02.960 --> 00:19:07.440
And I like to think of it very much as like it starts in a very humble place, right?
00:19:07.440 --> 00:19:26.000
It starts with a conversation of getting to know the person across from you and and to be able to talk to them about, you know, their journey and everybody's experiences in life are subjective and everything that you've experienced, someone with the same exact diagnosis as you has experienced a completely different thing, even if there are similarities.
00:19:26.000 --> 00:19:39.599
And I think CRCs do take an approach of, you know, treating individuals like individuals and not like a number on a, you know, a sheet or um, you know, a a a data point that they have to work through a certain system or something like that.
00:19:39.599 --> 00:19:44.240
And um, it definitely sounds like that was, you know, the case for you.
00:19:44.240 --> 00:19:52.880
And I think one of the things that we talked to a lot of people with disabilities about is that it's not always necessarily just always about work.
00:19:52.880 --> 00:20:00.720
How did Jillian's knowledge of services in your community that were available to you kind of help you connect to other outlets of support?
00:20:00.720 --> 00:20:10.960
Like was she able to point you in the direction of things that um maybe if she wasn't directly involved in, were were still able to kind of aid you on this light journey of finding out your next chapter?
00:20:11.119 --> 00:20:14.400
Uh Jill was just always there to answer my questions.
00:20:14.400 --> 00:20:29.200
So the knowledge she had was important about the services that were in the local area because you know, being sighted going blind, again, I I had no idea what was out there.
00:20:29.200 --> 00:20:55.759
Um she even went further than just trying to make sure that I was feeling whole and employed to let me know that there were, you know, bowling leagues for blind people in the area to sign up for and things that could just give me more exposure to the world to kind of show the things that I've built and the things that I've managed to obtain as character skills and abilities as a blind person.
00:20:55.759 --> 00:21:03.200
She really made me feel like I was I wasn't a blind person who was defined my disability.
00:21:03.200 --> 00:21:06.480
I was a person who happened to be blind.
00:21:06.880 --> 00:21:07.680
I mean, well said.
00:21:07.680 --> 00:21:22.000
And I think even something like a bowling league or those those social spaces in in which you can like talk to other people who are, you know, to some extent experiencing what you're experiencing, that can permeate everything, right?
00:21:22.000 --> 00:21:38.079
Like something as simple as getting to bowl with with with folks who are also blind or visually impaired can then lead to conversations or things that maybe in real time you're like kind of reflecting on yourself and saying, like, that's something I can take away to this next experience or this next relationship.
00:21:38.079 --> 00:21:58.559
And um it it's it's always an understated thing about, you know, like a CRC who lives in a city doesn't just know like who the employers are, they know what's what services are available to folks, what um community groups are available, and and and how to access them in the way that's going to fit your, you know, your lifestyle best.
00:21:58.559 --> 00:22:02.559
And it's wonderful to That that was something she was able to connect you to.
00:22:02.559 --> 00:22:13.920
Um, you know, as we're kind of wrapping up here, I wanted to give listeners a little peek behind the curtain because there is kind of um a really cool uh thing happening in your life right now.
00:22:13.920 --> 00:22:19.599
We had to reschedule recording a couple times because you've actually um just started a new job opportunity.
00:22:19.599 --> 00:22:21.200
Can you tell me a little bit about that?
00:22:21.599 --> 00:22:22.400
Uh yes.
00:22:22.400 --> 00:22:28.480
I have accepted a role as a social care screener navigator for an organization that's here locally.
00:22:28.480 --> 00:22:35.200
I've just completed, you know, all of my training, and that was kind of why we had to reschedule some of our things.
00:22:35.200 --> 00:23:01.759
Is um this video Zoom meeting was only available on a Thursday, so I had to, you know, change work hours and thank you so very much for opening this door for me to be able to kind of get my story out there and hopefully inspire somebody else who has just gone blind or maybe looking for some type of assistance out there or getting back to work and they just don't know where to turn.
00:23:01.759 --> 00:23:08.640
Looking for ACRC in the area is definitely the first step to making great leaps and bounds.
00:23:08.960 --> 00:23:17.839
It looks like I told you via email, rescheduling because you're starting a new job and you have this really exciting process getting going is like my favorite reason to reschedule, you know.
00:23:17.839 --> 00:23:23.359
When it's someone like, oh, I'm under the weather, that's a lot less exciting than hey, I have to do training for this new role.
00:23:23.359 --> 00:23:29.039
And I know when we initially spoke, you were saying that was getting finalized, and it it's wonderful that that's gotten going.
00:23:29.039 --> 00:23:32.559
And that kind of leads me to where I've thought we could end today's conversation.
00:23:32.559 --> 00:23:44.240
But you know, for someone with a disability who's maybe thinking of getting back to work or seeking their first role, um, what advice would you give them, or maybe like what things do you wish you could have told yourself when you started this journey?
00:23:44.559 --> 00:23:48.319
I wish I would have given the process a little bit more time.
00:23:48.319 --> 00:23:55.279
I tried to hurry things because uh again, with the first counselor, I just felt like I was a number.
00:23:55.279 --> 00:24:00.079
I was going into programs, but that doesn't have to be the case.
00:24:00.079 --> 00:24:02.880
You can ask for a CRC in the area.
00:24:02.880 --> 00:24:07.039
You you can work with somebody who makes you feel comfortable.
00:24:07.039 --> 00:24:17.279
And hopefully that next person that does enter the process helps you humanize asking for help the way Jillian did for me.
00:24:19.039 --> 00:24:24.000
Thank you to Derek for sharing his story and to Jillian Snyder for connecting me with him.
00:24:24.000 --> 00:24:28.640
You can find both of their LinkedIn pages and the show notes if you wish to connect with them.
00:24:28.640 --> 00:24:35.359
Client stories like Derek's are immensely valuable when we look at growing the opportunities available for CRCs.
00:24:35.359 --> 00:24:44.799
If you are a CRC who has a client who would be willing to speak with us, please get in touch with us at contactus at CRCcertification.com.
00:24:44.799 --> 00:24:58.400
Successful client stories are eligible for continuing education, so please consider connecting us with someone and help make sure that anybody who could benefit from working with a CRC knows that that option is available to them.
00:24:58.400 --> 00:25:06.720
If you don't have a client to share with us, the next best thing is to like and subscribe to this podcast on social media as well as your favorite podcast platform.
00:25:06.720 --> 00:25:14.319
Go ahead and search Inside Rehabilitation Counseling on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you're listening to us today.
00:25:14.319 --> 00:25:19.119
You can find links to our Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn pages in the show notes.
00:25:19.119 --> 00:25:24.799
And as always, thank you for spending time with us and listening to this episode of Inside Rehabilitation Counseling.
00:25:24.799 --> 00:25:28.640
I'm CRCC, Director of Communications and Marketing Taylor Bauer.
00:25:28.640 --> 00:25:29.680
Take care.
