Vickie’s Story

Vickie Thompson likes to shop, travel, and spend time with friends and family. She’s traveled many places around the United States. Vickie is also deaf.  Deeply involved with the Deaf community, Vickie enjoys attending holiday events, fishing and boating outings, and expos. She and her friends are a close-knit group, most of whom are also deaf.

When Vickie set a goal to support herself, BDI helped her get there. Buying a new car of her own and living by herself provided an avenue to independence. Vickie counts this as one of her greatest accomplishments since returning to work. “I’ve never had a new car before, and I’m satisfied that I was able to do that for myself, and I also moved from my son’s to my new place because of my job.”

“I enjoy what I do! It helps me pay my bills, but also gives me a reason to get up in the morning and go to work. I hope one day that I can buy my own house. Overall, I’m really honored to have this job.” — Vickie

On the job, BDI representatives who know American Sign Language (ASL) will sometimes translate for Vickie, especially during meetings, but otherwise she is independent. One of her co-workers is also hard-of-hearing and knows ASL, and she appreciates their easy communication. People are happy to write notes to make sure she understands certain things, but Vickie has given her team learning opportunities in a number of ways, too. She has taught her team some sign language and acts as a leader. She is known to help new-hires on her team.

“I like to clean and be around other people while doing the job. I consider it easy! I just know what to do and make sure everything is clean. I teach some of the people who come onto work with me how to do what they’re supposed to do. The trainings at BDI really helped me with that.”

Now financially independent, she is working towards larger goals.