Introduction to Our New Blog

Thank you for taking the time to read our blog!

I’d like to take you on a journey with me as I connect the dots of my My Employment Options (MEO) Ticket To Work experience, from client to vocational counselor. This scenario is not unique to me. There are others at MEO who’ve walked a similar path, they’ve paved the way before me. This blog, and my role as a vocational counselor, is an opportunity to share with you, what has been shared with me; those things that have taken me from existing on SSDI…which I was very grateful for…to living, once again, on a salary.

It gives me so much joy to get up with purpose each day, fulfilling my piece of the MEO puzzle, helping those who thought they couldn’t or wouldn’t work again. Although hesitant and unsure, they have a burning desire within to make it happen, or at least try…they just need some support and accurate information about how it all works. That’s what we do! It worked for me, as a client, and now I have the pleasure of helping it work for others.

I remember something that Our CEO, Paula Vieillet, said to me and I’ll never forget it. She said that the people she hires have to have a heart. There it was! The reason for the atmosphere here at MEO, from the top down, genuine care, and concern for those that MEO serves. It really is the heart of a matter that makes the difference in our situations, especially those of us with (dis)abilities. You may be wondering why put ‘dis’ in parenthesis. Well, it was the closest thing I could think of to represent a box. It works best for me that way. I do my best to put the ‘dis’ in my (dis)ability in a box so that it doesn’t get in the way of my abilities. We’ll revisit that later in the journey.

I agreed to share my journey through this blog because I am a firm believer in the Ticket To Work Program – MEO Style, the way it’s delivered and executed by MEO. I have a trust…but verify policy. I trusted MEO and I am living verification of the impact that they can have on the quality of life of those they serve. It is a partnership though, that’s where the trust comes in. I didn’t have confidence in what I could do when I entered the virtual doors of MEO, as a result of my ‘new normal’.  But as I was ushered in and experienced the kindness and comfort of each person I spoke with, I just knew I had made it to the right place. They were so incredibly patient and supportive through every step of the Ticket To Work process.

Please join me next week as I share the details of how I got to MEO as a client. Thank you for your time and until next time…