Employee Stories: Theresa Carrick
It’s been almost 10 years since Theresa Carrick’s accident, an accident that changed things forever… an accident that would leave her disabled for the remainder of her life.
“It took me a long to admit that I was disabled,” she said. “It is a hard thing if you weren’t disabled before, to have everything you were able to do taken away from you. It doesn’t mean you have given up though—it’s just a challenge you have to face.”
And face it she did. After the accident, Theresa decided to go back to school and get certified in office administration. Her perspective changed and she wanted to make something more of herself. She said the accident was actually a blessing in disguise, because she doesn’t think she would have gone back to school otherwise.
“I feel blessed for being able to hook up with PHCNW and be where I am at,” she said. “To tell you the truth, I really don’t even want to think about where I would be without PHCNW. I don’t see myself being in a better position than the one I am in today.”
Prior to connecting with PHCNW, Theresa said other employment agencies seemed reluctant to help her in her job search. Although you couldn’t visibly see her disability, she said her disability was a barrier in finding employment.
“Some people tend to look at those who are disabled differently,” she said. “If you mention the word disabled, some employers really don’t want anything to do with you. In my case, you can’t tell I am disabled by looking at me—that’s my advantage. But for people with wheelchairs or braces, they are looked down upon… it’s a different story.”
Theresa said she is glad there are companies like PHCNW; companies that help people with disabilities find jobs. She said she commends what PHCNW does and is happy to be working for the General Services Administration (GSA) in Auburn, Washington.
“I am going to college now full-time, and I can’t learn enough,” she said. “I am going to get my B.A. in business management. That’s how far working with PHCNW has brought me. I look forward to contributing much, much more.”
Theresa’s daily neck and back pain are reminders of her disability, but she does her best not to let it get her down.
“If I try something and it hurts or puts me down for a couple days, I just put it off for a little bit and try it later,” she said. “I have learned that you can’t give up. You have to keep on living and pushing yourself.”
