Announcing the WOW! Award Winners!

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WOW! Award

Winners:

Announcing the very first

WOW! Award Winners. . .

Amy Hines, Support Coordinator; Lorraine Aull, Support Manager II; Jim Davis, Support Associate; and Wakita Cunningham-Jones, Employment Specialist with EnAble Consumer, Seth Barocas.

Seth Barocas has a lot to be proud of.  He’s achieved a goal most of us only dream about. He’s changed his life and he’s touched the hearts of people around him.

This is mainly Seth’s story, but it’s also Lorraine’s story, Amy’s story, Wakita’s story, and Jim’s story because they are Seth’s Support Service Team.  They are people who listened to Seth, heard his dreams, and then helped him make them come true.  It’s also the story of EnAble at its best, and, finally, it’s the story of everyone who contributes their time, talents, and gifts to EnAble.

This particular story begins in August of 2005 when Seth was being medicated for high blood pressure and high cholesterol. At just 27 years old he was significantly overweight and had tried a series of medications and diets all to no avail.

That’s when Lorraine Aull became the manager of Seth’s group home.  When Lorraine first met Seth she saw someone who was thoughtful, helpful, and hardworking.  As she began listening to him – really listening – she learned about Seth’s dreams to lose weight, make friends, and live in his own apartment.

She also worried about his future because of his medical problems.  Then, she decided to do something about his future.  She talked with her supervisor, Amy Hines, and they began their support for Seth by giving him the opportunity to participate in Weight Watchers.

At first, Seth was scared, but he really liked it when the people at Weight Watchers learned his name, accepted him, and shared with him.  Changes didn’t happen all at once, but the encouragement from Amy and Lorraine coupled with support from his new friends at Weight Watchers gave Seth the strength he needed to take control of his life.

After he lost his first 2.4 lbs, Seth said that it made him feel good about himself.   The next morning Lorraine wrote, “Seth feels good about his weight loss.  He even sang today.” 

That’s when Seth took over.  He hasn’t missed a single Weight Watchers session since.  He began watching what he ate like a hawk.  When people in Seth’s group home went out for a special dinner at a buffet, Seth only ate salad.

As the weeks passed Lorraine wrote that Seth was becoming more outgoing. Success led to more success.  On November 16^th, with his supporters at Weight Watchers all around him for the weekly weigh in, Seth learned that he had lost 5 pounds from the previous week.  The next day Lorraine wrote, “Seth was so excited he danced all night at the recreational center.  He began interacting with his peers in a whole new way.”

As Seth continued to lose weight over the months that followed, Lorraine described another transformation, “Now Seth is vibrant.  It’s almost as if he has come out of a cocoon.  He dances around and wants to go out.  He reminds me of a warrior who has fought his way back.”

Jim Davis, Support Associate at Seth’s group home also sees the change.  As he says,  “It’s a joy to see Seth now.  He’s more upbeat, more of an extrovert.  He’s just happy.  You can tell.”

Seth’s successes haven’t come without difficulties.  In January, 2006, Seth lost his long-term job at Value City when the work force was scaled back.   That’s when EnAble Employment Specialist, Wakita Cunningham-Jones, came into the picture.  She helped Seth find not one job, but two. 

Seth’s new found confidence, positive outlook, and strong work ethic led to on-the-spot job offers at both a hotel and a Walgreen’s store.  Successes in both these new jobs have in turn inspired even higher levels of self confidence in Seth.   His whole demeanor has changed.  His manager at Walgreen’s is delighted with Seth.  He says, “Seth changes people’s attitudes”

All this confidence and success have also opened Seth’s vision of his future.  He doesn’t see life in the same way that he used to.  He talks about all the things that he wants to do that he didn’t ever think he could like having relationships, driving, and living in his own apartment.

Seth has now lost 60.5 pounds and he’s not done yet.  His goal is to lose 70 pounds.  Along the way he has lowered his cholesterol, reduced his blood pressure, and made friends everywhere he goes.

Seth’s achievements are impressive in their own right, but he has also had an impact on those who know him.  In Lorraine’s eyes, “Seth is exceptional – like the greatest human being I know.”

Each of the members of his Support Service team have contributed to Seth’s victories by listening to his desires, believing in the possibility of success, encouraging him to achieve his goals, working collaboratively with one another and applauding his successes.

And to think that this story all began with Lorraine and Amy listening and acting, with people at Weight Watchers opening their arms and hearts, with Wakita helping him find work, with Jim supporting Seth in the group home, with the people at Walgreen’s accepting him as a colleague, and with Seth losing those first 2.4 pounds.

All we can say is . . . WOW!