Like so many adults with a disability, 38-year-old Michael, of New Milford, dreamed about entering the workforce—but he wasn’t sure if he could. Would he be able to hold a job with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)? Would he lose his hard-earned Social Security benefits if he began to make money?

“I was depressed,” Michael recalled. “I felt like I couldn’t do anything anymore and I was hardly leaving the house. I was asking myself, ‘Is this it?’ Then everything changed when I reached out to Ability Beyond.”

Through our Ticket to Work program, Michael found guidance, mentorship, and opportunities that have catalyzed his personal and professional growth.

“Today I have a huge network of people and colleagues—more than 2,000 connections on LinkedIn,” said Michael, who is developing a career in disability employment advocacy. “I feel like a working professional, instead of someone who is just waiting around.”

Ticket to Work, Ticket to Possibility

About two decades ago, as a scholar and athlete at Western Connecticut State University, Michael had a plan. He would earn his degree in computer science and become a programmer after graduation. Then came the car accident that left Michael with an injured shoulder and a TBI.

“That set my course off balance, and everything in my future changed,” he said. “I couldn’t focus on school. I had memory issues and trouble focusing. So I dropped out of college, went on disability, and I was just kind of living with my mom for a long time because I didn’t think I could work, or do much at all.”

With consistent medical treatment and therapy, Michael began to experience improvement with the TBI symptoms. Five years after the accident, he was tired of sitting around and ready for something new: a job. He Googled his options and Ticket to Work popped up.

“I live in the Danbury area, so I already knew about Ability Beyond,” Michael said. “I knew they were good.”

A Career with a Purpose

When Michael assigned his Social Security “ticket” to Ability Beyond and connected with Employment Specialist Mark Marsh, his life changed yet again—this time, for the best.

“Mark helped me so much,” Michael said. “With my resume, and with everything. He is just so knowledgeable and told me everything I needed to know.’

Mark also introduced Michael to Disability Solutions, where Michael was hired for a competitive role and received mentorship from a longtime leader at the company, Kevin McCloskey.

Disability Solutions is a global consulting firm that advocates disability inclusion as a talent acquisition strategy for major corporate partners. Three years at the company full-time “really changed everything” for Michael, as he grew personally and professionally—and realized that he could build a career from his passions.

“I want to be like Mark,” Michael said. “I want to help people like me.”

Strength in Community

This realization took time, as Michael eased into his new reality. In the beginning, Michael was shy and requested strictly computer-based work. Now he’s an experienced public speaker, frequently hosting webinars to help people with disabilities navigate re-entry or first-time entry into the workforce. You can read his reflections on Ticket to Work here.

Today Mike is also pursuing a full-time role with Disability Belongs, a disability-led nonprofit where he recently completed a five-month paid internship. The organization is working to create systemic change in how society views and values people with disabilities.

“My 10-year goal is to be a strategic partner, developing strong community relationships,” Michael said. “I really enjoy reaching out to other organizations, like vocational rehabilitation or the Wounded Warrior Project, to build connections and create opportunities.”

Michael is honest about the challenges he still faces at work. He still experiences trouble with his memory, for instance. But he meets these challenges in community—with accommodation from his employer—and his own computer savvy, using software to track his tasks. He still receives encouragement and support from Mark Marsh, as well, who calls Michael every month to check in.

“To anyone in the position I was in— hang in there, and don’t be afraid to reach out for help,” Michael said. “That’s all I had to do, was reach out to Ability Beyond.”