- November 26, 2024
Loading
Mentors and mentees gathered Nov. 5 for a breakfast recognizing those involved in Florida Disability Employment Awareness Month and Disability Mentoring Day in Flagler County.
The event was part of a large-scale national effort to promote career development for students, job seekers and veterans with disabilities through hands-on career exploration, on-site job shadowing, and ongoing mentoring, which could potentially lead to internship and employment opportunities.
Participating students had the opportunity to visit an employer mentor's job site and learn about the day-to-day job experiences in an effort to better prepare and sharpen their skills for a particular career path.
“Above all, I want to recognize those people who inspire me every day, our mentees or people with disabilities who never complain or ask for special treatment and want nothing more than to be treated as equal citizens,” said Susan Brady, of the Flagler Technical Institute's transitions program. “They deserve nothing less than the right to belong and participate fully in the American dream.”
One young adult, who overcame his disability, is John Fitton. Fitton shared his story with the audience at the breakfast.
Having attended special education classes throughout school, Fitton graduated from high school with a special diploma in 2002. After graduating, he held three jobs: a paraprofessional for a student with special needs, a part-time bell man at Hammock Beach Resort and also part-time at A Plus Home Healthcare.
But that's not all. While working his job, Fitton was also studying to get his high school GED, which he accomplished last month.
“I have worked really hard to get where I am today,” he said. “I will always be grateful to my mentors and mom and dad. Don’t ever give up on what you want to be, and don’t listen to those who say you can’t.”
After attending a missions trip to Alaska, Fitton hopes to start taking classes to become a patient care technician.