Deborah Williams
By any means, success has not been
handed down to Deborah Williams, it was a precious gift that was given
to her by God, and nurtured by the hope of never giving up by family
members. Born December 11, 1952, Deborah has been told repeatedly
that she was unable to do many things and was not given the opportunity
to work due to her disability. Ms. Elaine Williams, Deborah’s
mother, always felt that one day Deborah, the second oldest of eight
children would have the same opportunities that other people have.
Ms. Elaine knew, if Deborah had the opportunity, she would prove that
she was capable of being a productive member of society. Believe it
or not, Deborah received her opportunity in July of 1999 at Happy
Hour Service Center and she ran with it. Immediately, when Deborah
entered Happy Hour Workshop II, she began a name for herself. A poet
once asked, “What is in a name?” For Deborah, it is responsible,
good worker, sociable, and an honest big sister to others.
Deborah works in Happy Hour Workshop II washing Robins Air Force Base
respirators and packing them for delivery. Deborah takes pride in
her job and gets the job done. Deborah was ambitious and wanted to
seek additional employment opportunities.
Deborah’s bus driver, who happens to also be a Supportive Employment
Job Coach for Happy Hour spoke with Deborah on numerous occasions
about church, her favorite places to visit and the typical daily life
conversations. One day Deborah expressed a desire of wanting a job
in the community. The Supportive Employment Job Coach spoke with her
supervisor and she gave the go ahead to provide Job Development Services
for Deborah and Deborah landed a job at the most prestigious place
to work in Warner Robins, GA. That’s right, at the “Flight
Line Kitchen” on Robins Air Force Base. Deborah was so excited
to know when she could start. “Soon…Soon….”,
the Supportive Employment Job Coach told her. Deborah enjoys every
time she works at the Flight Line Kitchen packing lunches for the
airmen and now she even takes orders over the telephone. Deborah has
become so well known for her hard work that she also now works in
the Main (Wynn) Dining Hall on Robins Air Force Base where she serves
literally thousands of customers on the weekends when the Air National
Guard is activated. We have received numerous compliments on Deborah’s
work and her glowing personality. Everyone loves Deborah!
Deborah is one of Happy Hour’s success stories. This dynamic
lady overcame many obstacles in life. She rose above her disability
and worked her way up the employment scale at Happy Hour in less than
two years. Many developmentally delayed consumers can not nor would
not imagine achieving such success. Deborah did not allow anyone to
put limitations on her own greatness.
Ronnie Whittle
“I’m gonna see Mama, Relle gonna take me!” This
is a quote from a sweet young man who now has the opportunity to go
home and visit his mother when he wants. He can also go shopping -
“Freddie gonna take me shokin’,” and enjoy community
integrated activities - “We gonna get some chicken?” But
the written word just doesn’t do justice - you need to hear
his lovely accent, watch his smiling face, look into his bright eyes
so full of life.
Ronnie Whittle is a delightful individual whose life has become so
much more fulfilled in recent years. He was born in Crawford County,
GA, the last of ten children. His twin brother was born normal, but
Ronnie was born with developmental delays. Due to his disability,
his parents were unable to care for him; therefore he was placed at
Central State Hospital at the age of five, remaining there until July
1993. At that time he moved to the newly opened Falcon Park I Group
Home, giving him the opportunity to receive services in a community
based setting. Ronnie celebrated his 35th birthday here the following
April, this was his first birthday outside of Central State in 30
years.
Adjusting to his new environment was a challenge for Ronnie, and for
the staff at both the group home and his new work place, Workshop
I at Happy Hour. There were so many things that were different for
Ronnie, things that challenged his confidence, things that made him
downright afraid. Things we don’t even think twice about. Noises.
Crowds. Elevators. Even entering and exiting buildings. Just ask some
of the folks that helped Ronnie during those times about a Braves
game, the Houston County Fair, the Air Museum at Robins AFB. But in
a field where small gains made with great effort over a very long
time are truly treasured, Ronnie has indeed been a “poster child”.
Where he was shy, quiet and turned in; he is now open, talkative and
quick with a smile and a hug. A few repeated words have become many
complete sentences where real communication takes place. Ronnie eagerly
helps with daily chores at home. He earns a meaningful wage at Happy
Hour Workshop where he happily recycles paper and rags. His enthusiasm
around any holiday, especially Christmas - “When’s Santa
gonna be here?” - lifts the spirits of all those around him.
Ronnie now has a home he is proud of, comfortable in; a workplace
where he does work that is needed, that he enjoys. With patient instruction
in daily living and work skills, encouraging support in trying new
tasks, developing new confidence that is offered to Ronnie by staff
from Happy Hour and Falcon Park, Ronnie is in truth living a new,
more meaningful life.