100 Stories in 100 Days

Jerry Peters, a retired U.S. Marshal from Troy, Alabama, spent years chasing dangerous fugitives and serving three tours in Afghanistan. “I’ve been around gunfire, I’ve been around explosions. I’ve been hit in the head,” he said. Like many in his field, he never sought treatment. “You don’t want to think that you need assistance.”
Decades later, struggling with PTSD and symptoms he couldn’t explain, Jerry reached out to the Alabama TBI Helpline. That call connected him with the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services and eventually the SHARE Military Initiative at Shepherd Center.
“They did tons of tests... cognitive, speech therapy. One of the things that really affected me was that people cared,” Jerry said.
Today, VR has helped Jerry find new purpose. He leads Operation Life Support and serves on Alabama’s Head Injury Task Force, helping others like him. “We need help. That’s just all there is to it.”

Imani Muhammad knows what she wants and she is determined to get it.

 With help from vocational rehabilitation, she landed her first job in retail. But she had a bigger dream: working with animals, especially dogs.

That is when VR stepped in again, helping her secure a position as a spa therapist at Dogtopia, a doggy daycare and boarding facility. More than a year later, she is thriving. “She’s great with the dogs, patient, gentle, and always detail-oriented,” said her job coach, Dana Carrizosa of WorkAbility, United Cerebral Palsy of Arizona.

Imani’s love for animals runs deep. She has two cats and two dogs of her own. The toughest part of her day is convincing stubborn pups to hop in the tub. But with quiet determination, she gets it done.

Her goal now is independence. She wants to work more hours, continue building her skills, and keep contributing to her community. “I’m hoping to stay here forever,” she said.

Warrenesha Arnold’s journey has been shaped by resilience, perseverance, and strong support. Diagnosed with dyslexia in her teens, she faced daily challenges that made school, deadlines, and social situations feel overwhelming. Still, she remained determined. After earning her undergraduate degree with honors, she pursued her passion for nutrition and business by entering the MBA program at the University of Arkansas–Fayetteville.

Graduate school brought new challenges, but Warrenesha leaned into her strengths. She developed time management skills, prioritized her mental health, and practiced mindfulness and journaling. When financial barriers appeared, Arkansas Rehabilitation Services stepped in with essential support.

She used all available resources—academic accommodations, counseling, and faculty guidance. One highlight was contributing to team projects, including a small business venture. Public speaking was tough, but through practice, she gained confidence. By her second year, she was recognized for her leadership, collaboration, and empathy.

Warrenesha also embraced self-care, learning that rest and mental well-being were vital. Earning her MBA marked not just academic success but a personal victory. Today, she is the proud founder of Nyarai Skincare, a thriving skincare line created for people of color—a testament to her strength, vision, and belief in herself.

Jenny Siegle always loved sports. As a C4/C5 quadriplegic, she wasn’t sure how to turn that passion into a career. But Jenny was no stranger to breaking barriers—at just two years old, she became the first child in Colorado to receive a power wheelchair.

She connected with the Colorado Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) in high school through her IEP, around the time her love of journalism began to grow. DVR helped her earn a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and complete an extensive adaptive driving program. With her driver’s license and newly adapted van, Jenny was ready to chase her dream.

Her first step was an internship with Altitude Sports. She has worked there ever since, producing games for the Broncos, Avalanche, and Rockies. Altitude has supported her every step of the way, even creating an adapted control panel to make her work more accessible.

“Don’t put limitations on yourself—whatever dream you have, do what you can to achieve it,” Jenny said. “Be your own trailblazer. Be your own advocate. If it’s something you want, give it a try.”

Bella, a student from Glastonbury, Connecticut, is thriving at Curry College, where she is pursuing a degree in psychology. She loves the program, the school, and the friendships she has built. “I have a ton of friends and I’m just excited to continue studying there,” she said.

Bella first connected with the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services (BRS) through a youth leadership program in high school. “BRS basically helped me a lot in my transition from high school to college, particularly the independent living aspect,” she explained.

One of the most impactful supports has been assistive technology. “I don’t know where I would be without some of the tools they gave me,” Bella said. A MacBook, iPad, and Apple Pencil — along with apps for color-coded notes and voice-to-text — have transformed her ability to stay organized and succeed in class. BRS also provided simple but vital tools, like grabbers, that increased her independence.

“Thanks to BRS, I just feel so much more comfortable and independent. It’s been such a launching point for me,” Bella shared. She now plans to complete her degree, earn a master’s, and launch a career in psychology.

At just 20 years old, John Benson’s life changed after a diving accident left him paralyzed. Despite the challenges, his passion for agriculture never faded. Determined to return to farming, John partnered with a local farmer to create an innovative solution: using a modified engine crane and Hoyer sling to transfer himself into farm equipment. This adaptation allowed him to contribute to harvest and tillage work, and just ten years after his accident, John was farming again.

As operating equipment became more difficult, John turned to Delaware DVR for support. In 2022, he received a truck-mounted lift from Life Essentials Lifts. This device now enables him to transfer from his truck into the cabs of various farm machines, greatly expanding his ability to work and support local agriculture. Beyond farming, John enjoys wheelchair rugby, skiing, woodworking, and maintaining community Little League fields. His determination continues to inspire all who know him.

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A man seated on a truck-mounted lift transferring from a truck to a large tractor.

AnnMarie Killian once felt like every door was closed to her.

“I was struggling academically and didn’t see a future for someone like me who is Deaf. Every path I tried felt like another closed door, and I was ready to give up. Dropping out seemed inevitable,” she recalled.

That changed when her guidance counselor connected her with Bruce at Vocational Rehabilitation. “Instead of letting me walk away, Bruce encouraged me to give VR a chance. He referred me to the Minnesota Academy for the Deaf, and that one referral opened a door that forever changed my life.”

At the Academy, AnnMarie found the tools and support she needed to thrive. “Through VR, I found more than an education — I gained confidence, belonging, and the belief that my future was worth fighting for.”

Her journey didn’t stop there. With new skills, determination, and self-belief, AnnMarie built a career dedicated to service. Today, she is the President and CEO of @tdiforaccess, a nonprofit organization advancing accessibility and inclusion. Looking back, she reflects: “Vocational Rehabilitation doesn’t just open doors — it changes trajectories and transforms lives.”

Sarah J. once thrived as a mountain biker, skier, and engineer, but her life changed dramatically after a 2015 biking accident caused neurological complications, including severe photophobia. “I look at a screen and it’s just like a flashlight. There’s nothing but a bright light. I can’t discern anything on it anymore,” she explained. Everyday essentials like phones and computers became inaccessible.

That’s when Minnesota State Services for the Blind (SSB) stepped in. With their accessible, barrier-free support, she began learning braille and using screen readers, slowly regaining confidence. “SSB’s resources, offered at no cost, helped me rebuild my confidence. I progressed from painstakingly reading 30 braille pages to confidently navigating novels,” she said.

Today, Sarah is writing a therapeutic novel, working part-time with the Minnesota Youth Ski League, and finding new ways to connect with her community. She credits SSB and the blind community for reminding her that resilience and adaptability know no bounds. “Yes, everything is challenging, but everything is also possible.”

Montana Vocational Rehabilitation partnered with state apprenticeship program to support electrical and plumbing apprentices who completed hands-on training but struggled with education requirements due to disabilities. In Billings, MT, apprentices and supervisors met with a Voc Rehab Business Services Specialist to identify challenges and accommodations—many of which employers were unaware they were already providing. These apprentices and employers now receive ongoing support through Voc Rehab Business Services. One apprentice from GPS Electric, who had previously failed the journeyman test, received accommodations and passed in April, later becoming a residential project manager. His success highlights the impact of tailored support. Currently, 12 apprentices across Montana are being assisted, by the Voc Rehab Business Services Specialist—also a certified rehabilitation counselor—able to sign off on accommodations. This collaboration continues to strengthen pathways for apprentices and employers alike.

Nate Sears always knew he wanted a career connected to the outdoors. As a senior at Lyons-Decatur Northeast High School, he connected with Nebraska VR and began working with Pre-Employment Transition Services Coordinator Misti Hasley. Knowing Nate’s passion for hunting and fishing, Misti suggested a Work-Based Learning Experience (WBLE) at Pheasant Bonanza, a hunting and fishing lodge.

With support from a skills trainer, Nate tackled tasks like feeding and watering dogs, cleaning pens, trimming weeds, filling clay pigeon machines, and replacing mulch for baby pheasants. Determined to make a good impression, Nate worked hard and impressed lodge owner Trent Leichleiter.

Alongside the hands-on work, Nate built skills in budgeting, communication, problem-solving, and self-advocacy. His part-time role became a full-time job after graduation, giving him steady employment close to home, opportunities to learn taxidermy, and the independence to build a life around his passions.

Nate proves that when passion meets opportunity, success is within reach.