1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:02,250 My name is Henry Winkleman. 2 00:00:02,266 --> 00:00:05,625 I'm a working person with ability not disability. 3 00:00:08,302 --> 00:00:11,536 Here at the Clarks company my job title is Development Coordinator 4 00:00:11,552 --> 00:00:16,612 I am the Development Coordinator for opening up new stores and renovating existing ones. 5 00:00:16,627 --> 00:00:19,647 I'm the development coordinator for the First Step Program 6 00:00:19,662 --> 00:00:22,248 which is a program for people with disabilities 7 00:00:22,248 --> 00:00:25,635 return to work through a short term intership here a Clark's 8 00:00:25,635 --> 00:00:29,211 The goal of the program is for people, during their six month internship, 9 00:00:29,211 --> 00:00:32,461 to build their self-esteem and their confidence and to realize 10 00:00:32,461 --> 00:00:35,481 that they bring value to companies. 11 00:00:35,481 --> 00:00:37,094 Once they build up their self-esteem and confidence 12 00:00:37,094 --> 00:00:41,285 their really truly able and ready to learn the skills that they need 13 00:00:41,285 --> 00:00:43,051 to become fully employed. 14 00:00:43,051 --> 00:00:45,929 Having a job makes me feel excellent. 15 00:00:45,929 --> 00:00:47,740 When I don't have a job, I felt worthless. 16 00:00:47,740 --> 00:00:51,270 I felt like I provided no value to anyone. 17 00:00:51,270 --> 00:00:54,613 I found that it very very hard to find a job 18 00:00:54,613 --> 00:00:58,468 and luckily I became involved with Triangle and the MRC. 19 00:00:58,468 --> 00:01:01,765 My memory disability, in fact, aided my redevelopment, 20 00:01:01,765 --> 00:01:04,691 because whenever people would say you can't do that 21 00:01:04,691 --> 00:01:07,804 I would just turn around and think that I could and I would do it. 22 00:01:08,081 --> 00:01:10,171 I always kept look toward the future. 23 00:01:10,171 --> 00:01:13,979 To really succeed, it makes sense to start at the bottom 24 00:01:13,979 --> 00:01:17,926 take a good first step, then you can take another step forward 25 00:01:17,926 --> 00:01:22,059 and another step forward, but you need to start at a basic level 26 00:01:22,059 --> 00:01:27,028 where you can bring yourself a sense of self-worth and where you can show other people 27 00:01:27,028 --> 00:01:29,338 the value that you have and offer. 28 00:01:29,338 --> 00:01:32,694 When I hear the word disability used, I think that it is the worst word 29 00:01:32,694 --> 00:01:34,877 in the English language. 30 00:01:34,877 --> 00:01:39,381 Disability implies that you do not have abilities and that you are unable. 31 00:01:39,381 --> 00:01:42,121 In fact that is not what it is supposed to mean, 32 00:01:42,121 --> 00:01:45,604 It is supposed to mean abled but limited in their abilities 33 00:01:45,604 --> 00:01:49,087 Disability, should be stricken from the English language. 34 00:01:49,087 --> 00:01:53,917 I talk with employers very often about offering opportunities to people with disabilities 35 00:01:53,917 --> 00:01:57,679 and I think I would describe it in a way that very few can 36 00:01:57,679 --> 00:02:00,790 because I have a person who had a disability 37 00:02:00,790 --> 00:02:03,066 and now I'm an employer. 38 00:02:03,066 --> 00:02:05,202 I would say that you made the right choice 39 00:02:05,202 --> 00:02:10,635 You're offering opportunity to people that is crucial, but what you're going to find 40 00:02:10,635 --> 00:02:13,210 is a diamond in the rough. 41 00:02:13,210 --> 00:02:17,323 With a little bit of time, effort and education, these people grow 42 00:02:17,323 --> 00:02:19,598 into the most productive members of your staff. 43 00:02:19,598 --> 00:02:22,803 The advice that I would give to people looking for work is 44 00:02:22,803 --> 00:02:26,025 give 100% effort. 45 00:02:26,040 --> 00:02:29,351 Too many people give that 50% effort and that is what they get out of it 46 00:02:29,351 --> 00:02:31,626 but if you apply yourself completely, 47 00:02:31,626 --> 00:02:34,970 devote yourself to looking for a job, you'll find a job. 48 00:02:34,970 --> 00:02:37,449 Don't ever give up. 49 00:02:37,449 --> 00:02:39,846 Keep going; keep moving forward. 50 00:02:39,846 --> 00:02:46,202 We can all lay back on our past, but the future is where the future lies.