More Lives Touched!
This was a year of change—rapid, unexpected change that brought new challenges for the disability community and the nonprofit sector. But we remained resilient, viewing these challenges as steppingstones toward continuous growth. Even in the face of the unknown, we continued to thrive and cultivate new opportunities.
Increase
in Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS).
reported improved
quality of life.
in cumulative
lifetime benefits.
Real impact, real stories.
Kaleb.
He is fascinated by numbers, and data is his passion. He is an artist and a huge dog lover. This is Kaleb. He’s in his twenties and one of the newest employees at Bobby Dodd Institute’s Contact Center.
With encouragement from his mentor at Georgia Tech, Nathan Heald, and support from his family, Kaleb began researching opportunities. That’s when he came across Bobby Dodd Institute. He got connected—and he didn’t fail to impress.
Natalie.
“How are you?”
These were the first words Natalie said after her brain surgery when her brother, Rich, came to visit her. They were both small kids at the time. Almost 50 years after this experience, Rich gets emotional when memories strike him.
At the age of three, in the early ’80s, Natalie was diagnosed with a brain tumor. When she was nine, it returned. All the challenges only made her stronger.
Begin transcript:
Natalie >>>> I was born in Canada. We lived in various places. At the age of three, I was diagnosis astrocytoma and then reoccurrence when I was nine. February of this year I had surgery again to remove a mass that was in my abdomen.
Rich >>>> I remember Natalie being very strong. I distinctly remember Natalie recovering from her second surgery. Me going into the hospital room. Natalie being head down because they had her head on a brace and the base for a skull was, was still open, somewhat closed. And she… First thing she said to me is, how are you?
Natalie>>>> I’m very caring, very… Just want to volunteer… Give my … everything.
Rich>>>> And then I watched Natalie recover from the surgeries and go back to school. And I became very sensitive to Natalie’s well-being and her being accepted despite being different. One time I had chemo, of course, I was wearing scarf on my head. And I remember one of the kids at the… He’s very active, very nonchalant kid kind of. I remember specifically whipped off my scarf. [laughing]. But my brother stood, and he, he… got it back.
Rich>>>> She, really despite all odds, is able to maintain a relatively independent lifestyle.
Richard, Natalie’s Dad>>>> She frequently tells her mom and dad to kind of I can handle situation that situation. I can take care of it. I mean, I’m an adult now, and I don’t need you to be too involved in what I’m doing and where I’m going. Just be there for me when… when I need you. That’s obviously what we want to be.
Natalie>>>> I really love helping people. When I lived in Indonesia, I volunteered at an orphanage. And I ate with them, and just had fun, try to teach them English. I volunteer here with my church that I belong to help needy and homeless. And I also volunteer at an old folks home. And I’m always positive.
Richard, Natalie’s dad>>>> She has strength, determination, which I think is going to sit well for her and help her move ahead with her lifestyle. So it’s something that, that she should be proud of as we are proud of her.
My first, memory of Bobby Dodd Institute was when Natalie qualified for a life skills kind of work training program. That was very helpful. And it led to Natalie getting other job opportunities. Their support in helping navigate, getting Natalie benefits, additional Medicaid benefits, the disability and elderly waiver. They’ve been extremely helpful in opening doors for us. They’ve helped develop a plan for her future based on what Natalie’s needs are, the way she wants to live going forward, with her life.
Rich>>>>And those services through Bobby Dodd have, have been invaluable.
Bertha.
It all started with a short announcement on the local radio station and a joke over a cup of coffee. This led to a 20-year career and continuing growth. She’s not just a supervisor—she’s a mentor and a friend. This is Bertha’s story.
Twenty years and counting
Bertha Holtzclaw’s career with Bobby Dodd Institute spans two decades. She’s a supervisor at the IRS mailroom located in the Summit Federal Building in Atlanta, where the team handles all mailing operations.
Living her best life.
Just like every teenager, Crystal has big feelings and emotions, and she’s not afraid to express them. Her unique personality was evident from the day she was born, and those around her knew she would become the remarkable person she is today.
Begin transcript:
Hosea >> Crystal. My daughter is a remarkable,
so beautiful in beautiful ways. The world doesn’t always understand, but I see so clearly every single day. She experiences life differently. And that difference is not limitations.
Roxana>> Her way of looking at life has given me a new perspective on how I should look at life. She’s taught me to slow down and to know
that everything is going to be okay. She brings me a certain type of peace and calm.
Cookie>> When she was first born, her mom brought her to the office to meet the staff, and Crystal didn’t focus and didn’t lock eyes on anyone. But she locked eyes on me. And we’ve been like that ever since.
Jamie>> During
the time that Crystal was in my childcare facility, I just noticed a lot of nonverbal communication and also the lack of eye contact, as well as just how she was interacting
with other children. And so I knew at that time that
there was something more that I needed to do in order to help her.
Roxana>> She became part of BDI starting with swimming and it has really helped her in so many ways. So I am very, very grateful for the programs that are out there to help kids and to also to help parents
as well, to navigate, because you have other parents
that you can talk to. They can… you can also help and they can help you understand, because you’re kind of going through the same thing.
Althea>> Family needs to know that there are opportunities out there for their students and kids to allow for growth and development
in the areas that they may need. And I also think it’s important
that it gives our students a sense of belonging to something.
Patrice>> We visited the Bobby Dodd program last year with our students, and the staff here greeted Crystal with such warmth. And you could tell that she left a lasting, strong impression on you all. And not because she has the loudest voice in the room, but just because she is true to herself.
Hosea>> I just want us to be able to be in a position to make Crystal grow more. When she go down on hard road, I’m on that road with her verses she be embarrassed.
Carolyn>> We’re
looking forward to big things for Crystal. She wants to work at Delta. That’s her thing.
Crystal>> Hartsfield–Jackson International Airport. United and Delta. Get everybody tickets to go a plane.
[Crystal’s mom] You are going to collect
everybody’s ticket to go on a plane?
Crystal>> Yeah. [Crystal’s mom] So are you going to be a gate agent?
Crystal>> Yes.
Carolyn>> I notice she is more outgoing now. We are so proud of her that she went
to the prom, but she was so excited. So she loves going out,
being with people. She loves going out to dinner. She loves flying. And that has happened since she’s been in school and been in this program.
Cookie>> Just to watch and see her develop from a baby to the young, bright woman that she is — full of capability, just full of potential. It’s… it’s just so good to see.
Patrice>> Programs like the Bobby Dodd Institute,
provide information to our students in a way that they can retain it. And when we provide them with those opportunities, they are capable of great things.
Althea>> Don’t feel as if you’re in this alone, because there’s a world of help out here for you guys.
BDI Empowers
At BDI Empowers, we’re here to support you, no matter your age, stage, or current situation. Our programs are designed for individuals with disabilitiesof all levels of need.
BDI Employs
At BDI Employs, we offer hassle-free business services that you can outsource with confidence. Our portfolio of social enterprises is managed with your business needs in mind.