My Story: Charlie Sheets

November 16, 2009 | By Jenni Baker | Subscribe to "My Story" RSS

Charlie Sheets On August 20, 1992, I was hit by a car while getting off a bus on my way home from my job as a roofer. I suffered serious head trauma and had my right leg severely broken. When the paramedics arrived, I was declared dead at the scene. Through the grace of God, the paramedics were able to bring me back to life.

During my recovery, I spent 21 days in a coma. Afterwards, I spent the next four years in a wheelchair, not knowing if I would ever walk again and suffering from severe memory problems as a result of my head injuries.

The accident gave me plenty of time to think about my future. With my injuries, I could no longer work as a roofer, and I had no other job skills or an education to fall back on.

Then I found out about Goodwill of Greater Washington and enrolled in its work adjustment training program, which helps people with disabilities get back into the workforce through on-the-job training.

Charlie Sheets shares his story at Goodwill's 2007 Advocacy Day.

After one week in the training course, I received my first paycheck in five years. I was so excited just to get training that when I got the paycheck, I was shocked. It put a big smile on my face.

But I didn’t stop there. In 2004, I graduated from a computer training course and am now employed as a full-time data entry associate with Goodwill of Greater Washington. I enjoy getting up and going to work everyday. Not many people can say that and mean it.

Listen to Charlie tell his story in this week’s My Story Podcast.