TYLER (KYTX) - A John Tyler graduate, partially paralyzed in a drive by shooting, is showing other disabled East Texans how to overcome adversity.
Jarvin Dorsey won an award for his hard work in the Goodwill work training program, where he gets to help people with disabilities like his.
Dorsey was shot 12 years ago at a high school graduation party. He's in a wheelchair, and says finding a job was extremely difficult.
That's when he found the Goodwill Work Adjustment Training Program. He went from trainee, to head of the program, and is helping struggling East Texans gain not only job skills -- but confidence.
When Dorsey was paralyzed in the drive by shooting, he gave up his dream of becoming a professional football player, but he never once gave up on life. Instead, he found a new purpose.
"I never did get depressed or anything like that," he says. "I knew it was time to work. I had a daughter on the way and the thing I wanted to do was provide for my family."
He had a hard time finding work, so he turned to Goodwill's training program.
"I started off as a trainee and they were actually trying to find me a job and they hired me on from a trainee, to a trainer's aid, to a trainer, to a lead trainer and now I'm a coordinator here at Goodwill," Dorsey says.
His positivity and perseverance won him the Edgar J. Helms Goodwill award this year. Through tears, Dorsey accepted the honor Friday. Trainees in his work program sat in the crowd, applauding a man who once was in their shoes.
"I wake up every morning knowing I'm trying to change someone's life. So if I can do it, get up and go to work, I know anybody else can. I try to push everyone else there and try to give them that type of mentality," Dorsey says.
Program trainee Martin Johnigan has a severe vision disability and has had a lot of trouble finding work - but he says training with Dorsey taught him success is possible.
"They have helped me and I'm glad I'm here and they're showing me to the best of their abilities and I hope I can be successful," Johnigan says.
With Dorsey's words of encouragement in mind, he'll continue to learn, grow, and believe in himself.
"Don't let the world get you down," Dorsey says with a smile. "Just know there's always somebody there who can help you and who's willing to help you."
Dorsey wants you to know that if you are dealing with a disability or struggling to find a job, there is help for you out there. He found it at the Goodwill here in Tyler and he urges you to check out their program: http://tylergoodwill.com/site/programs-services/
