H

Winter 2007 Volume 46, Number 1

N E W
RIZONS
SOUTH CAROLI NA VOCATI ONAL REHABI LI TATI ON DEPARTMENT
2006CIicntAchicvcmcntAwardwinncr
docsntIctdisabiIityhampcrhisdrcams
Someday people with physical disabilities will be able
to hunt, fsh and enjoy all of natures amenities in a
barrier-free, fully equipped, bed-and-breakfast tucked
away in a remote, scenic wilderness area.
Ryan Jennings, an avid outdoorsman, dreams of
building and operating that haven, and no one who
knows him doubts that he can pull that off if he so
chooses.
The 25-year-old Jennings was recently honored as
the 2006 Client Achievement Award winner at the
annual conference of the South Carolina Vocational
Rehabilitation Association.
Jennings, who has spinal muscular atrophy, is
employed in the pharmaceutical sales business.
As a high-achieving and active Lexington High
School student, Jennings needed assistance in
making his school surroundings more accessible
and in planning for transition to employment.
SCVRD rehabilitation engineer Tom Jackman made
recommendations to the school, which made it easier
for Jennings to navigate the campus in his wheelchair.
He took part in the summer program for students at
SCVRDs Center for Comprehensive Programs to assess
lNSlDf
Two win Medals of Excellence ............................ 2
DDS named tops in region ................................. 2
Areas honor their business partners .................... 3
Local staffers earn recognition ........................ 45
Awards recognize special contributions............... 6
SCVRA associations honor their own .................. 7
Around the conference................................. 910
Legislative Breakfast scenes............................... 11
Graham visits NARP operation ......................... 12
Ryan Jennings with a friend on a trip to Wyoming.
his physical capabilities and get a vocational evaluation.
Its important to get VR involved early, because
things take time, said Carol Jennings, Ryans mother.
That gives the school and the team time, maybe two
or three years, that they can actually plan together for
that childs next step.
Roy Hewett, now Lexington area supervisor, was
Jennings counselor early on and quickly noted his
independence, his desire to do things despite the fact
that he has a disability, because that just does not hold
him back.
With scholarships and other resources, including
some assistance from VR, Jennings enrolled at
Presbyterian College, which also made some
accessibility improvements to accommodate his
attendance. He earned a degree in biology while also
working as an athletic trainer.
See Jennings, page 8
Visit our Web site at www.scvrd.net
N E W
H RIZONS
New Horizons is published by the South
Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation
Department (SCVRD), 1410 Boston Ave., P.O.
Box 15, West Columbia, SC 29171-0015.
The Public Information Offce provides
all news and information. News materials
may be reproduced with credit to New
Horizons.
SCVRD distributes New Horizons free
by mail. Subscription requests or changes
of address may be sent to the Public
Information Offce at the above address,
telephone (803) 896-6833 or e-mail info@
scvrd.state.sc.us
In accordance with federal and state
laws, SCVRD does not discriminate against
any race, color, sex, national origin, age or
disability in employment or in provision of
services.
Agcncy:
Derle A. Lowder Sr., chairman, Sumter
Larry C. Bryant, secretary, Columbia
H. Lucius Lafftte, M.D., vice chairman,
at-large, Allendale
Dr. Roxzanne Breland, Greenville
Timothy W. Evatt, Pendleton
Rhonda J. Presha, Elgin
Alease G. Samuels, Walterboro
Joseph A. Thomas, Conway
SCVRD:
CommissionerLarry C. Bryant
EditorSharon H. Kelly
Ofcclocations:
(all numbers voice and TDD)
Aiken: (803) 641-7630
Anderson: (864) 224-6391
Beaufort: (843) 522-1010
Berkeley-Dorchester: (843) 761-6036
(843) 577-9057
Camden: (803) 432-1068
Charleston: (843) 740-1600
Conway: (843) 248-2235
Florence: (843) 662-8114
Gaffney: (864) 489-9954
Greenville: (864) 297-3066
Greenwood: (864) 229-5827
Hartsville: (843) 332-2262
Lancaster: (803) 285-6909
Laurens: (864) 984-6563
Lexington: (803) 896-6333
Marlboro: (843) 479-8318
Oconee-Pickens: (864) 882-6669
Orangeburg: (803) 534-4939
Richland: (803) 782-4239
Rock Hill: (803) 327-7106
Spartanburg: (864) 585-3693)
Sumter: (803) 469-2960)
Walterboro: (843) 538-3116
Williamsburg: (843) 354-5252
fnabIingcIigibIcSouthCaroIinianswith
DisabiIiticstoprcparcfor,achicvcand
maintaincompctitivccmpIoymcnt.
2
Commissioncrhonorstwo
withMcdaIsoffxccIIcncc
Jennie Thomas, Spartanburg area
supervisor, and
Mia Howard,
Information
Technology
project specialist,
each received the
Commissioners
Medal of
Excellence.
Thomas, who
Thomas
started with VR in
1989, has shown a commitment
to our clients and the philosophy
and mission of our department,
said Commissioner Larry Bryant in
presenting the medal.
He cited her initiative to
learn Spanish so she could be
more effective with the growing
Hispanic/Latino population; her
ability to lead through change;
and the relationships she has built
with legislators
and community
leaders.
Howard has
been with the
agency for three
years. During that
time, she has
had a tremendous
impact in a very
Howard
short time, Bryant
said.
She has played an integral
part in developing the new Case
Management System, demonstrating
the ability to look at the big picture
and envision how all the different
program parts work together.
Bryant said the new system will
improve the quality of services we
are able to provide our clients.
DDSnamcdtopsinrcgion
The South Carolina Disability
Determination Services program
was named DDS of the Year in the
eight-state Atlanta Region.
Paul Barnes, the Social Security
Administrations Atlanta regional
commissioner, bestows the honor
each year. South Carolina was
named frst in quality, processing
time and production. Other
states in the region are Alabama,
Mississippi, Tennessee, Georgia,
Florida, North Carolina and
Kentucky.
In quality, or accuracy, DDS
scored 98 percent, while the
national average was 95.6 percent
and the regional average was 96
percent.
Processing time was 70.2 days,
while the national average was 88.6
days and the regional average was
84.6 days.
In production, DDS scored 109.8
percent, while the national average
was 103.6 percent and the national
average was 99.1 percent.
In addition, DDS doctors from
South Carolina assisted other states
by doing medical evaluations in
some of their cases.
I believe the streamlining
changes weve made over the last
couple of years have been directly
responsible for this success, said
SCVRD Commissioner Larry Bryant
in recognizing the honor.
Those changes included
converting to an electronic fle;
introducing a dual monitor system;
and centralizing bill payment in
West Columbia.
NEW HORIZONS
3
Arcashonorthcirbusincsspartncrs
Lowes stores
in Sumter
and Camden,
ARAMARK in
Rock Hill and the
National Oceanic
and Atmospheric
Administration
(National Weather
Service) offce in
Greenville received
Business Partner
Awards during the
conference.
Dr. H. Lucius Lafftte, right, vice chairman of the S.C.
Lowes has been
State Agency of Vocational Rehabilitation, shows off the
an outstanding
Lowes Business Partner Award. From left are Roy Hewett,
business partner Lexington area supervisor; Chris Hoopengarden, Willie
for several years. In Fuller and Lowell Person, all of Lowes; and John Hornsby,
Lexington, Lowes
seated, SCVRD Sumter-Camden area supervisor.
manager Ed Comer
has supported the VR program,
calling when vacancies occur at the
store. The store has hired several
clients with signifcant disabilities
and has made accommodations
to help them become successful
employees.
In Camden, three former VR
clients are working at the Lowes
store.
Lowes is a charter member of
the VR Business
great job helping clients learn their
jobs and feel welcome. In addition,
ARAMARK uses VRs Job Retention
Services to help employees with
disabling conditions maintain their
jobs.
The National Weather Service
offce at Greenville-Spartanburg
Airport has been a leader in helping
launch the High School/ High Tech
program, which exposes student
with disabilities
Partnership
to technology-
Network and
based careers.
Willie Fuller, area
NOAA has
human resources
provided two
manager, has served
internships so far
as president of the
at the Greenville
BPN.
offce.
ARAMARKs
Other
facility at Winthrop
business partner
University in Rock
nominations
Hill has hired about
included:
20 VR clients for
AikcnThe
the food service
Barnwell
operation over the
People-Sentinel,
past three years.
Dr. Lafftte presents Chris Averett of
which has
The staff does a
ARAMARK with the Business Partner
partnered with
Award.
the Aiken offce for the past six
years.
The newspaper has provided an
average of six community-based
client evaluations a year and last
year hired a VR client.
AndcrsonUlbrich Stainless
Steel & Special Metals Inc.,
Westminster Division. Since 2003,
Ulbrich has contracted with VR
for clients to remove and strip wire
from spools.
Salvaged wire is used in aircraft
and aerospace vehicles, automotive
components and medical
equipment.
BcrkcIcy-DorchcstcrGoodwill
Industries of Lower South Carolina.
Since January of last year, Goodwill
has employed more than 20
VR clients in various positions
throughout the tri-county area.
CharIcstonThe Sheraton North
Hotel. The hotel has hired at least
17 VR clients in various positions
over the last year. When vacancies
occur, the hotel staff looks to VR
clients to fll them. If a problem
arises, VR staff members help work
out solutions.
ConwayEBTRON, an airfow
measurement industry. VR clients at
the Conway Work Training Center
produce about 150 to 200 heating
and air-conditioning cables a week
for the company.
fIorcnccPalmetto Packaging.
The company has supported the
VR program since 1975. An average
of 29 clients per month work on
tasks for Palmetto Packaging at the
Florence Work Training Center. The
company also has hired two clients.
laurcns-CrccnwoodAsten
Johnson of Clinton. The company
supplies products for the pulp and
See Partners, page 7
Winter 2007
4
locaIcascstaffcrscarnrccognition
Aikcn
Dennis Sauls, Luanna Dygas,
Jan Westmoreland, Vilroy Smith,
Kathy Murray, Robin Taylor, John
McMurtrie, George Sessions and
Joe Powell were recognized for
their work with a client who has
mild mental retardation.
The client received a wide
array of services and the staff was
very involved in helping him fnd
a home, furniture and clothing.
He is successfully employed as a
custodian with a contractor.
Andcrson
Jim Keogh, Jackie Nelson,
Melissa Hegler and Greg Beatty
were recognized for their work with
a client who has a mental disability
and articulation problems.
The client had received Social
Security benefts from age 6 until
age 18. She had never worked
before she came to the Anderson
VR offce. Following VR services,
she is employed as a housekeeper.
Bcaufort-WaItcrboro
Gail Murray and John Gallagher
of the Beaufort offce and the
staffs of the Evaluation Center and
Rehabilitation Technology were
recognized for their work with a
client who was born without arms
and has legs of different lengths.
The client spent a summer at
the Evaluation Center, participating
in vocational assessment, career
exploration and job-readiness
classes.
He applied to and was accepted
by Clemson University, where he
majored in mechanical engineering.
Rehabilitation Technology provided
a laptop computer with the
necessary accommodations and VR
also provided assistance with tuition
and related school costs.
He is employed
as an automotive
engineer.
BcrkcIcy-Dorchcstcr
Kelly Overholser,
John Wilson, Freda
Washington and
Elaine Ellington
of the Berkeley-
Dorchester
offce and the
Conway staff members were, from left, Johnathan
Greene, Phil Davis, Cindy McKenzie, Mona King,
Rehabilitation
Technology staff
Teresa Houston and Marty Graham
were recognized for
benefts. At VR, she was involved
their work with a woman who has
in career planning and employment
a progressive muscular disability
services and job-readiness training
and lymphedema.
to help her build work tolerance.
The client, who uses a power
She is successfully employed as a
wheelchair, is employed as a police
marketing representative.
dispatcher. Transportation became
an issue when she had to purchase
Conway
a van to travel to and from work.
Teresa Houston, Phil Davis,
VR provided job supports and
Marty Graham, Johnathan Greene,
helped her obtain a wheelchair lift
Mona King and Cindy McKenzie
and hand controls for her van.
were recognized for their work with
a client who has a traumatic brain
CharIcston
injury and seizure disorder.
Jakki Deas, Jennifer Jerome,
Following VR services, the client
Ginger Ash, Morgan Fancher,
is employed as a grocery store
Deborah Johnson, Vivian Pinckney
and Mary Hart were recognized for
their work with a client who has
multiple disabilities.
The
custodian.
fIorcncc
Samantha Murray, Jan Psillos,
Susan Jordan, Audrey Nowlin,
client has
mental
disorders,
diabetes
and
lupus.
She had
been out
of work
for 10
years
and was
receiving
Charleston staff members were, from left, Vivian Pinckney, Jennifer
Jerome, Jakki Deas, Deborah Johnson and Mary Hart.
SSDI
NEW HORIZONS
S
Camilla Jones, Prince McGill,
Elizabeth Parker, Obediah Kirven,
Mike Harrelson and Susan Urquhart
were honored for their work with a
client who was depressed.
They provided services and
worked closely with the clients
mental health counselor to
address his needs throughout his
rehabilitation.
The client is employed as a
kitchen worker at a restaurant.
CrccnviIIc
Mark Daniels and Cathy Jollie
of the Greenville offce, Marlise
Guillerault, Jim Stroman, Debby
Triplett and Birt Dowling of the
Evaluation Center, Julie Jackman of
the Muscular Development Center
and Todd Batt of the Rehabilitation
Technology staff were recognized
for their work with a client who has
a spinal cord injury.
The client was receiving SSDI
when he came to VR. His injury
limited his mobility, self-care ability
and work tolerance.
Following VR services, he is
working as a public relations
representative.
laurcns-Crccnwood
Steve Heape, Keith Stewart, Chad
Ulmer, Arthur Kemp, Grace Ryan,
Jim Williams and the Greenwood
Work Training Center staff along
with the Evaluation Center and the
Rehabilitation Technology staffs
were recognized for their work with
a client who has paraplegia.
The client was injured in a
motorcycle accident in 1996.
Following VR services, he is
employed at a local industry.
MarIboro-HartsviIIc
Sheila Gilbert, Emily Whitney,
Melody Woodle, Sophia Streater,
Stacy Bakas, Rick Fountain and
Tim Russell of the Marlboro
and Hartsville offces along
with the Evaluation Center and
Rehabilitation Technology staffs
were recognized for their work
with a client who has muscular
weakness and hearing loss.
After receiving VR services, the
client is employed as a receptionist.
Orangcburg
Deborah McCarty, Bessie
Dowling, Raymond Cooper and
Ivory Canty were recognized for
their work with a client whose right
arm was amputated below the
elbow.
Following VR services, the client
is working as a
Spartanburg
Roland Salley, Belinda Gibbs,
Cindy Sellars, Norma Grizzard,
Jennie Thomas, Marlene Comer and
Katie Sprouse of the Spartanburg
offce and Roy Hewett of the
Information Technology Training
Center were recognized for their
work with a client who suffered
a foot injury compounded by
diabetes.
The client is employed as a
geographic information systems
(GIS) analyst.
cashier at a gas
station.
RichIand
Gardenia
Coleman, Jan
Campbell, Andrea
Sinkler-Slaughter,
Bernard Grant,
Jody Varn, Jesse
Farr, Joy Smith,
Robert Taylor and
Jeannine Gamble
from the Richland
Marlboro-Hartsville staff were, from left, Sophia
Streater, Rick Fountain, Sheila Gilbert, Stacy Bakas,
Emily Whitney, Tim Russell and Melody Woodle.
area offce and
Julie Jackman of the Muscular
Development Center were
recognized for their work with a
client who has a mental disability.
The client has an eye for detail
and after a successful community-
based evaluation, he was hired as a
shipping and receiving clerk for an
area industry.
RockHiII
Vickie Manning, Jon Robinson
and Linda Ransom were recognized
for their work with a client who has
a mental disability.
The clients disability limits
information retention and
interaction with others, but after
extensive job-readiness training,
he is employed as a food service
worker.
Sumtcr
Kim Ferguson of the Sumter
offce, Lee-Ann Danko, Janice
Miller and Mary Burnett of the
Evaluation Center and Barbara
Jolly of the Muscular Development
Center were recognized for their
work with a man who has had
polio since he was an infant.
VR provided services and
assisted with post-secondary
training at the University of South
Carolina, where the client received
a bachelors degree in retail
management.
He subsequently received a
masters of business administration
from East Carolina University and is
employed as an assistant manager
at a drug store.
Winter 2007
6
AwardsrccognizcspcciaIcontributions
Several people who have SCVRD advocate with legislators involved in the High School/High
had a special impact on the and the governor. Tech program in 2005 when
S.C. Vocational Rehabilitation Frances Looper of Lexington was he took an internship at the
Department were recognized with
awards during the conference.
Sen. Wes
Hayes, R-Rock
Hill, received the
Legislative Award.
Hayes has been
a supporter of the
agency since his
election to the S.C.
House in 1984.
He was elected
Hayes
to the S.C. Senate
in 1990 and is
a member of the Senate Finance
Committee, the Public Education
Committee and the Medical Affairs
Committee.
In all of these roles, he has
demonstrated a compassion for
all people, especially people with
disabilities, said Commissioner
Larry Bryant in presenting the
award.
Hayes recently sponsored a bill
that established state standards
recognized as VR
Client Partner of
the Year.
Client partners
are former clients
who support
the agency by
writing legislators,
teaching classes,
participating in
Looper
panel discussions,
identifying job opportunities and
serving as mentors for other clients.
Looper, who is working as an
administrative assistant for a car
dealership, has been an active VR
supporter in the Lexington area. She
recently spoke at a West Columbia
Chamber of Commerce meeting
and during an SCVRD center
managers meeting.
Sean Darcy, a 2006 high school
graduate, received the Richard M.
Kuffel Excellence in Education Award.
Darcy, of Greenville, became
National Weather Service offce
at Greenville-
Spartanburg
Airport.
High School/
High Tech exposes
high school students
with disabilities to
career opportunities
in technology-
related felds.
Darcy
Darcy, who has
paraplegia following a car accident,
so impressed offcials at the Weather
Service offce that he was offered a
job as a part-time student employee.
He has worked on a variety of
projects, including a PowerPoint
presentation on lightning safety for
area school districts.
This year, he is enrolled at ITT
Technical Institute where he is
majoring in computer programming.
He also has another internship with
the Weather Service.
for VR counselor education
requirements, allowing the agency
to avoid using federal standards
that are much more restrictive and
costly.
Dr. Lonnie Randolph, a
Columbia optometrist, received
Special Recognition for his long-
time support of the agency.
Randolph, who also is state
president of the
NAACP, has
worked with
VR clients since
shortly after he
began his practice
30 years ago. He
is very infuential
in the community
and has been an
Randolph
Derle Lowder,
seated, chairman
of the S.C. State
Agency of Vocational
Rehabilitation,
congratulates Dr.
Lucius Lafftte on his 50
years of service on the
SCVRD board. Lafftte,
an Allendale physician,
has been on the board
since it was formed in
1957. Feb. 12 was Dr.
Luke Lafftte Day at the
SCVRA conference.
NEW HORIZONS
7
SCVRAassociationshonorthcirown
Winners of the SCVRA association and employment specialist at
for the computer network in the
awards were: the Evaluation Center, received
new DDS Administration Building
Pat Green,
area development
director, received
the Administrator
of the Year
Award from the
S.C. Vocational
Rehabilitation
Administrators
Green
Association.
She was
recognized for her leadership and
mentoring skills.
Her ability to coach new
supervisors and managers has
reaped vast rewards for the agency
in the areas of productivity, stability
and customer service for the clients
of the S.C. Vocational Rehabilitation
Department, the nomination says.
Jim Stroman, career planning
the Client Services Association
Employee of the Year Award.
Stroman consistently performs
above and beyond expectations
in delivering
customer service,
according to the
nomination. He
also was cited
for being a team
player, taking
the initiative
to help others
Stroman
and performing
any duty asked of him without
hesitation.
Sam Hamilton, an information
resources consultant, received the
Technical Services Association
Employee of the Year Award.
Hamilton was project leader
in West Columbia last year. The
project spanned more than seven
months and everything worked
successfully the
day the new
building opened.
Hamilton also
earned associate
and senior state
project manager
certifcation last
year, the only Hamilton
SCVRD employee
to have done so.
Dr. Lisa Varner, a DDS
psychologist in Greenville, received
the Barry Cooper Leadership
Award from the S.C. Association of
Disability Examiners.
See Associations, page 8
Partncrs
continued from page 3
paper industry. Three to six clients
a day at the Laurens Work Training
Center cut cardboard packaging,
salvage tubes and sew materials for
Asten Johnson.
MarIboroStanley Tools. The
company has supplied contract
work to the Marlboro Work Training
Center for 10 years. Five to 15
clients a day work on the contracts.
OrangcburgLoves Travel
Lodge. The company uses VR as a
resource for potential employees.
RichIandPontiac Foods
of Pontiac. A subsidiary of the
Kroger Corporation, Pontiac Foods
produces dried prepared foods,
specifcally coffee and spices.
Clients at the
Richland Work
Training Center
perform a variety
of tasks for Pontiac,
including product
salvage and fnished
product display.
Spartanburg
Morrisons. The
company operates
the dining facilities
at Spartanburg
Regional Medical
Center. Seven VR
clients have been
hired at the hospital
location.
WaItcrboro
Floralife Inc. The
Dr. Lafftte presents the Business Partner Award to Vince
DiCarlo, warning coordination meteorologist with the
National Weather Service in Greenville. From left are
David Turnipseed, Greenville area supervisor, and Kerry
Reece, a Greenville counselor who works with the High
School/High Tech program.
the-job training for some VR clients
company, which specializes in cut
and has a representative on the VR
fower preservatives, provides on-
Advisory Board in Walterboro.
Winter 2007
8
Associations
continued from page 7
Varner is the only full-time
psychological consultant in the
Greenville
Regional DDS
offce, serving
medical
consultants,
examiners and
supervisors.
She assumed
the primary
role of training Varner
new examiners
on the mental
body system and took on the task
of creating a new lesson plan and
desk aids for new and experienced
examiners.
She is the current president of
SCADES and the S.C. Association of
Professional Psychologists.
Ken Norris, DDS senior manager
for administration, was named the
Professional Staff Associations
Professional of the Year.
Norris was recognized for
spearheading the centralization of
the DDS fscal and consultative
examination teams, which greatly
enhanced effciency and service.
He temporarily served as
the supervisor in the Charleston
Regional DDS
offce and also as
the point man for
the construction
of the new
administrative
offce and
renovation of
existing space.
He also found
Norris
time to conduct
training on confict resolution and
serves as a mentor to several new
supervisors.
Ryan Jennings, center, with some of the SCVRD staff who worked on his case.
They are, from left, Betsy Kliment, Roy Hewett, Todd Batt, Brenda Miller,
Barbara Armstrong and Tom Jackman. Not pictured are Wanda Williamson, Julie
Jackman, Barbara Jolly, Mary Ann Smith, Carol Teal, Marlise Guillerault, Janice
Miller and Linda Menefee.
|cnnings
Continued from page 1
As he prepared to fnd his niche
in the workplace, Jennings needed
to upgrade his transportation.
Again he turned to the SCVRD
rehabilitation technology staff
for recommendations. Todd Batt
worked closely with him and wrote
the technical specifcations for
van modifcations to maximize
his mobility. The Department of
Disabilities and Special Needs
bid out the project using those
specifcations.
After graduation he found
employment with a local
pharmaceutical company and
continued his studies, pursuing a
Jennings in his old van
masters degree in business. He molecular biology, with the intent
has nearly completed work on to do research into spinal muscular
that degree, and has his sights set atrophy, the condition that he and
on acceptance into a doctoral his younger sister Megan share.
program. Those are high-level goals, but
My heart is in the biological there will still be room for hunting
sciences, he said. He plans
to pursue a degree in cellular See Jennings, page 12
NEW HORIZONS
9
Carol Anderson,
left, and Susan
Urquhart of Florence
and Penny Bethea
of Conway enjoy
the Sunday night
reception.
Tim Evatt, a member of the S.C. State Agency
of Vocatinal Rehabilitation, chats with Deb
Huff at the registration desk.
Dr. Iwanna Ridgill, the Tuesday motivational
speaker, poses with Derle Lowder, chairman of the
S.C. State Agency of Vocational Rehabilitation.
Aroundthc
confcrcncc
Incoming SCVRA
President Jennie
Thomas, left,
presents outgoing
President Pat
Green with a
plaque honoring
her service.
Winter 2007
10
John Hager, left, assistant
secretary of the U.S.
Department of Education,
Paul Barnes, Social
Security Administration
regional commissioner,
and Dr. Blease Graham,
political science professer
at the Universiity of South
Carolina, were featured
panelists on Tuesday
morning.
Jeb Batten, Neal Getsinger and Linda Lieser mug for
the camera.
The honor guard from Wil Lou Gray
Opportunity School presents the colors.
Sen. Wes Hayes, R-Rock
Hill, poses with Kathy
Brownlee, Rock Hill area
supervisor. Hayes received
the Legislative Award.
NEW HORIZONS
11
SccncsfromthclcgisIativcBrcakfast
The S.C. Vocational Rehabilitation Association sponsored its annual Legislative Breakfast at the State House
complex on March 1.
It was an opportunity for area supervisors and state offce staff to greet their legislators and answer questions
about issues pending on the legislative agenda that might affect the S.C. Vocational Rehabilitation Department.
Here are some scenes from the breakfast.
Rep. Nikki Haley of Lexington, second from left,
poses with Roy Hewett, Lexington area supervisor,
Commissioner Larry Bryant, and Joanie Hess, Bryants
assistant.
Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter of Orangeburg makes
a point to Area Development Director Kerry
Mandeville, while Orangeburg Area Supervisor
Ivory Canty looks on.
Rep. Rex Rice of Easley talks with
David Turnipseed, Greenville area
supervisor.
Aiken Area Supervisor
Jan Westmoreland tries
out a Segway personal
transporter belonging
to Rep. Skipper Perry of
Aiken.
Rep. Alan Clemmons of Myrtle
Beach with Penny Bethea, Conway
area supervisor.
Area Development Director Neal Getsinger, left, talks with
Rep. Seth Whipper of Charleston, center, and Charleston Area
Supervisor Peter Zalka.
Winter 2007
12
|cnnings
continued from page 8
and fshing, at which he excels even
though he says nature wasnt really
designed accessible, and perhaps
to build the bed-and-breakfast that
would be fully equipped to help
others with disabilities enjoy the
outdoors.
Im looking forward to seeing
who Ryan Jennings is in the next
fve, ten or ffteen years, said his
most recent VR counselor, Brenda
Miller. I think hes going to make
a very serious contribution to
society.
People with disabilities have
some wonderful skills that our
economy doesnt always tap into,
said Jennings.
Vocational Rehabilitation exists
to help folks not only learn more
about the skills they have, but also
to fnd a way to mesh those skills
with a career.
Sean McKay, right, domestic tactical sales representative for North American
Rescue Products, shows one of NARPs casualty response kits to Sen. Lindsey
Graham, R-SC. Graham recently visited the NARP operation at SCVRDs Pelham
Road Work Training Center in Greenville. With him are Darline Graham, an
SCVRD business development specialist, and Bob Castellani, founder and
president of NARP.
The South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Department reports that it printed 5,300 copies of this newsletter at a cost of
$1,188, or about $.22 a copy.
N E W
H
SouthCaroIinaVocationaI
RchabiIitationDcpartmcnt
1410 Boston Avenue
Post Offce Box 15
West Collumbia, SC 29171-0015
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