At the Tennessee Rehabilitation Center, 'Success Knows No Limitations' Dyersburg office holds awards luncheon

It was a time to honor the accomplishments of persons with disabilities and the employers with the willingness to hire them when the Tennessee Rehabilitation Center at Dyersburg held its annual awards luncheon on Oct. 28.

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month. This year's theme in Tennessee is "You're Hired! Success Knows No Limitations," referring to the goal of removing barriers to employment so that all Tennesseans are judged on their abilities and given opportunities to contribute to the work force.

Seventeen Tennessee Rehabilitation Centers located in rural communities throughout the state and the residential comprehensive TRC at Smyrna provide vocational rehabilitation services -- diagnosis, treatment, training, counseling, job-placement assistance, and post-employment services -- to Tennesseans with disabilities.

Phillip Merrell shared his story at this year's TRC-Dyersburg awards luncheon.

Merrell's association with vocational rehabilitation began 10 years ago. A career Army man with 16 years of service, Merrell was self-employed in various occupations after his retirement. One of those occupations was driving a log truck. During one haul, the brakes failed and the truck ran into an embankment, the logs shifted forward and crushed the cab. Merrell suffered a lumbar spine injury; he's paralyzed from the waist down.

Six months later, he met Chris McClimans, rehab counselor with the TRC-Dyersburg office.

"I've had many ups and downs but what stands out in my mind is Chris standing in my kitchen (in Puryear) and saying she wanted me to go to college for four years," he said.

After expressing his desire not to go, McClimans asked him where he'd be four years from now. He enrolled at the University of Tennessee at Martin, majoring in engineering. When that dream was challenged by chemistry, Merrell changed his major to Spanish, which he had a background in from his Army days. Due to some personal conflicts, Merrell was unable to graduate from UTM.

One day, McClimans received a call from Glenn Barr with the Jackson Center for Independent Living. He needed an interpreter to interact with the Spanish population in the area. She immediately suggested Merrell. Barr hired him in November 2002 and he is now the center's coordinator for independent-living services.

"The whole time I was in school, Chris said I tested high in social work and should be in that," said Merrell who now lives in Jackson. "I met Glen and he hired me. What did I end up doing? Social work. When I rolled in this morning, Chris said she wasn't going to say 'I told you so' but she had a grin on her face that said it.

"It's been a rough road but the reason I'm here today is because of vocational rehab. After the accident, I didn't know where to go or who to call on," he continued. "They said I should go to college, worked with me, kept my spirits up, helped with all of my reasonable requests. Vocational rehab, in the form of Chris McClimans, came to my aid. Everybody sitting here -- thank you for all of your help. Most of all, thank you, Chris."

The TRC "works with persons with disabilities trying to prepare them to enter the work force and assist them in attaining and maintaining employment," said manager Alma Ruth Michael. "Phillip is a fine example of what we're trying to do and a good example of the 2004 theme. (Through the luncheon) we're here to recognize the accomplishments of persons with disabilities and the employers with the willingness to hire persons with disabilities."

Those recognized were:

? Tyson Foods in Union City as the 2004 Employer of the Year. Darlene Bacigalupo, account representative for the University of Tennessee Center on Disability and Employment /Corporate Connections, who educates employers about vocational rehabilitation, presented the award.

"They have over 1,280 employees working for them and the whole human-resources department goes above the call of duty to work with vocational rehab clients," Bacigalupo said. "They've hired a number of clients from here, Camden and Union City. We thank (human-resources manager) Frankye Williams and her whole staff."

? Tiger Express No. 2 in Dyersburg as the 2004 Employer of the Year. Job-placement specialist Beverly Tipton presented the award.

"They hired three clients and really worked with them," Tipton said. One TRC client has remained at the station and "they continue to work hard with her. I appreciate the ladies of Tiger Express No. 2. They are wonderful people to work with."

? Cynthia Tyson of Dyer as the Client of the Year. Ronda Baker, rehabilitation counselor for Gibson County, presented the award.

"When we first met in July 2000, what stood out about Cynthia was her motivation to get a job," Baker said. "When we determined her eligible, we went on with the evaluation and worked with her for job placement. By December, her doctor said she was unable to work because of her health. We put things on hold but she kept in touch every three months still wanting a job. In February 2004, she called and said she was ready for a job. She came to the center for a work adjustment and in July she began working at Dyer Nursing Home. She's now a certified nurse's assistant and is working on her GED."

Tyson, Michael said, "is another fine example of what a person can accomplish when she wants."

? Bob Kirk, Don Pennington and Lou Ann Berry for their work on the TRC board of directors. The three rotated off this year.

"The local advisory board is wonderful in promoting and educating the community about our work with people with disabilities," Michael said. "They freely give their time to help the TRC meet the needs of its clients. I appreciate them so much for what they do."

? Wendell West. Michael presented the past board chairman with a certificate of appreciation and a "special thank you to him for his constant support and encouragement every day. He begins any conversation with, 'How can I help?' I want to recognize him for all he's done."