Industrious Man Undeterred by Health Crisis

When Brian experienced a thrombotic stroke, he faced new challenges and barriers in his search for employment. Although he had previously been working with the Nevada Department of Employment, Training, and Rehabilitation to secure job training, his stroke had thrown a wrench into his plans, and he was forced to table the search until he recovered. Undeterred and indefatigable, Brian leapt at the opportunity to find the right training program once he recovered.

Due to his stroke, Brian developed a neurological disability, global aphasia, which affected his ability to read, write, see, and hear. He also lost much of the use of the right side of his body. Nevertheless, Brian eagerness to learn new skills and be able to support himself led to his referral to Goodwill’s Community Based Training program to gauge his readiness for employment.

During his retail and janitorial assessment, Brian’s trainers assigned tasks that could be done with one hand, such as sorting donated merchandise and organizing the sales floor. His trainers reported that despite his physical limitations, Brian demonstrated extraordinary persistence and dedication in completing his tasks.

Although Brian did not pass his formal assessment, he feels a sense of pride and accomplishment for completing his first foray into the labor force. An indefatigable self-starter as well as a lover of books, he looks forward to working at the library one day.

Goodwill supported Brian’s recovery from adversity.

Learn how Goodwill’s Disability Programs work for Southern Nevada.