Kevin
Winona ORC Industries
Traumatic Brain Injury
Kevin was referred to Winona ORC in 1998 after he had a serious fall. In 1996, Kevin was climbing up to his roof to do some minor repairs when he fell off his ladder. This incident resulted in a traumatic brain injury, which gave him a 1% chance to live. After his traumatic incident occured he spent 7 months in a coma. The doctors stated that if he overcame the coma that they expected him to have a total memory loss and would not have the ability to walk. After 14 years of rehabilitation, Kevin has the ability to walk, drive, and maintain employment with the support of WORC staff. WORC staff provides assistance with job development, job training, feedback, coaching, quality checks, and assistance with problem solving and remembering job tasks if needed. WORC provides transportation when necessary for Kevin to go to and from work.
Kevin's skills benefit Winona ORC as well as his own employment opportunities. Kevin exceeds staff's expectations through his outstanding janitorial skills. Kevin participated in two trainings at Winona ORC designed to help improve marketable janitorial skills. These trainings covered basic cleaning, floor care, machine usage and care, and customer solving and answering concerns. This contact allows Kevin to express his thoughts in a non-judgemental environment, which provides him with the ability to be heard without risking his employment. WORC job coaches help ensure that any duties assigned to Kevin will not cause too much difficulty because of Kevin's physical limitations related to brain injury. If Kevin is asked to do something which is physically difficult for him, coaches are available to make changes to the duty assignments and provide assistance with completing job tasks. Kevin currently works at several community job sites and is always willing to go above and beyong what is asked of him. Kevin will always face challenges within his daily life due to his TBI, but he has strived to overcome them through his hard work and determination.