Success Stories

“I would not be successful without assistance from GVRA,” says Army Veteran Turned Entrepreneur

After serving as a medic for 20 years in the U.S. Army, Shane Giltner decided to become self-employed once his military service ended. Shane sustained multiple injuries during Operation Iraqi Freedom, a conflict that was fought in 2004...

Bud McCall Grant Recipient Flies High as a Georgia Tech Undergraduate

“There’s no doubt Saif Aslam is a go-getter,” said MaryEllen Mendiratta, a GVRA counselor in the Augusta office who has worked closely with Saif (pronounced “Seff”) during his transition from high school to college. “In a short amount of time, Saif has already become a force on the Georgia Tech campus. For instance, he was elected president of Georgia Tech’s ABLE Alliance...

Inclusive Post-Secondary Education (IPSE) Graduate Lands Dream Job at University of Georgia

At birth, Jesse Pearson was diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, both of which have contributed to his mild intellectual disability.“My disorders result in an assessment indicating Mild Intellectually Disabled/Impaired (MID/I),”  Jesse said. “This means that I am challenged with cognitive delay...

GVRA Provides Lifeline to UGA Grad

“I wear my disabilities openly, like badges of honor that tell the story of my resilience,” said Bailey McNeir, a client of the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (GVRA) since 2012. Having been born prematurely, weighing only two pounds and nine ounces, Bailey faced many obstacles growing up...

Licensed Vendor Succeeds in Business, Serves as Mentor to Blind Youth

“My goal is not only to operate a successful business, but to become a mentor for youth who are blind,” said Shelby Ball, a visually impaired vendor in the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency’s (GVRA) Business Enterprise Program (BEP). ..

FedEx Employee Credits Supported Employment Services and GVRA Counseling for His Success

Nathan Johnson Sr. knew his son, Nathan Johnson Jr., needed professional guidance to shape the direction his life was taking. As a teenager, Nathan had worked as a bagging clerk at a grocery store, but he didn’t feel like the grocery business was a viable career option...

From Animal Lover to Professional Hands that Heal - A Client’s Journey to Becoming a Veterinarian

From the time she was a young girl, Dr. Alanna Reece knew she wanted to work with animals. Throughout her childhood in Perry, she enjoyed gymnastics, horseback riding, and taking care of her cats...

Making Dreams Come True

When Army Command Sergeant Major Iteago Felton was stationed at Fort Gordon in 2008, he began thinking about how his post-military life would look.  Having been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other physical ailments related to his service, he decided he wanted to become self-employed after serving 32 years in the Army...

Student Finds “Hope” and Success at Roosevelt Warm Springs

Student Anney Kim walked onto the campus of the Roosevelt Warm Springs (RWS) Comprehensive Center with no real sense of what to expect. She left with skills, confidence, lifelong friendships, and a job she loves...