Let me introduce myself: my name is Leigh Lightholder. I have a disability, it’s called Cerebral Palsy. When I was born, I was without oxygen for eight minutes. Eighteen months later the doctors told my parents I probably would not do anything except lay around in bed for my whole life.
In that period of time, people who were like me lived in an institution. Guess what; God had a different plan for me. After my mother found out that I had “CP”, she researched and asked questions about therapies around our area. Also, she was taking care of my two older brothers.
I started attending Easter Seal Programs in Washington, Pa. when I was 2 years old. I received speech, occupational and physical therapies, then attended preschool at Easter Seals. Dr. Chance from Philadelphia came to visit the program once a month. He would check on the children about their needs, such as braces and types of therapies. He must have noticed something special in me. He invited me to come to his private school in Philadelphia, Pa.
I started to attend his program at 4 years old. I was there until I was 8 ½. I came home to join my family and had a great time learning and just spending time with them. I started to attend a school for children with special needs in a multi-handicapped classroom. My class was moved to a public school and all six of us were mainstreamed when I was 11 years old. I graduated in 1989 with a high school diploma. Well, like anyone else, I had to decide what the next steps were in my life.
One thing I always wanted was to be independent. I mastered classes in daily activities and living skills in six months, when most took 1 ½ years at the United Cerebral Palsy Center, in Pittsburgh, Pa. I lived in the school dorm for independence and I tried college.
I discovered I was Learning Disabled and took more educational classes. College was hard and the Social worker felt I needed to try something else. So I got my own apartment and worked on my skills. I am self-taught in using a computer. I kept being evaluated by Office of Vocational Rehab. All they could tell me was they knew I was bright, but after being tested for the computer, they said “I wouldn’t be able to use one”.
I can’t tell you how many times, I kept on telling them and explaining. I explained to my counselors “listen, I have been using a computer since I got my first communication device at 14 years old. So, I must have some knowledge”. Then I started volunteering at United Cerebral Palsy thinking that it would get me somewhere. Nope, I worked for five years and all I did was busy work.
My brothers have lived in Florida for about 35 years. My mother retired from her job and we spent three months there at first and then six months. They built an accessible home for me. Next, my step father retired and we moved down to Cocoa, FL permanently. I started to look for services I needed and contacted with Vocational Rehabilitation to look for a job. Here I go again wanting to work. Let see what they have to say. VR was very positive and worked with me. They introduced me to Brevard Achievement Center for services. BAC talked to me and listen to what I would like to do. Wow, this was a first. It just so happened that Mr. Eric Smith from Indian River Networks called BAC looking for someone with computer skills. My counselor called me and told me the news. I looked at my mother, told her about the On Job Training, and asked if would she drive me 45 minutes to the place of service. She said “Ok”!
I have been training at Indian River Networks for about three months now. I needed to take college classes online to receive certifications for networking. Done!
While I took the online courses, I started to be trained by my coworkers who are wonderful, caring and compassionate. We are able to work together to accomplish many tasks.
Eric Smith and his wife Amy Sullivan are fantastic bosses and involved me in everyday activities. Everyone takes the time to understand my speech and help me with my needs. I am so glad that I am finally working where people are social and eager to learn and grow within the business world.
My brother said “Leigh, everyone at your age (50) is planning for retirement and you are beginning to work. I am proud of you for wanting to be part of society. “
No matter how long it takes to accomplish your goal, patience is the name of the game.