Your successes are our successes
We exist to help people of all abilities thrive.
More than the number of people served, jobs placed or benefits secured, these stories are our proudest accomplishments. You are our greatest measure of success.
GET TO KNOW BDI THROUGH OUR Participant's SUCCESS STORIES

Cynthia Hall Shares Her Story of Perseverance
When you meet BDI participant, Cynthia Hall, you’re immediately inspired by her tenacity and will. More than 40 years ago

Look at Her Fly: A Mother’s Love
Olimpia came to BDI desperately looking for assistance with SSI. After reporting to Social Security that Maria, who has cerebral palsy, had moved into a group home, the agency responded by lowering Maria’s SSI: a threat to all they’d worked for and ultimately a threat to Maria’s independence.

BDI Celebrates Veterans: Steven’s Story
Bobby Dodd Institute (BDI) is committed to creating opportunities for not only people with disabilities to work and thrive, but

The Confidence Work Gives: Linda’s Story
When you ask Linda Valdez how work is going, her response is quick and eager, “Great!” She loves the people.

Fostering Second Chances for Career Growth
Illness and an unexpected career shift couldn’t keep Cynthia Coleman from pursuing a second chance at a promising career.

Roderick’s Story
Roderick Peters has dreams of attending Kennesaw State University and thanks to BDI and his diligent mother, Jackie, those dreams just might become a reality. Jackie Lunde, mother of Roderick Peters, received notice from the Social Security Administration that Roderick was no longer classified as disabled and his benefits would be suspended immediately. Worried about her son’s future, Jackie sought help from BDI.

Michael’s Story
As BDI’s Benefits Consultant began working with the family to develop the letter of intent, it was clear that Michael was not receiving the appropriate level of benefits. Michael’s mother was paying thousands of dollars each year out-of-pocket for his personal care expenses, which drained her resources, and threatened his long-term security…

Charles’s story
Meet Charles. When Charles and his parents first came to BDI, he was frustrated and confused. He felt lost after aging out of school, and he couldn’t see the path to independence. BDI helped Charles and his family re-submit his NOW Waiver, which had seemingly become lost in the system…

Cynthia’s Story
After years living on her retirement (and with a degenerative visual disability), Cynthia decided that she wanted to re-enter the workforce. After meeting Cynthia, it was clear that she was not to be viewed as someone with a disability, but as a woman with so many abilities.