My Story: Jia Fang Deng

I am a person with acquired disabilities. In 1985, I experienced pain and weakness in my right foot. I was diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis Arthritis. The doctor told me there is no cure for my disease, and my condition will deteriorate gradually.

For the next eight years, my family and friends distanced themselves from me one-by-one. I realized that I had become an unreasonable, ungrateful person due to my disease. I had driven my family and friends away. I knew I could not live out my life like this, and I needed to make changes.

I decided to go to Goodwill to learn how to operate a computer. I joined the printing output center. Mentored by many experienced teachers, I was able to learn typesetting and many other graphic design skills. This allowed me to broaden my perspectives on creativity and design.

In 1995, I went back to Goodwill with a grateful heart to work as a computing instructor. Given my background and past experiences, I have a much better understanding of how to interact and communicate with the students here. They need genuine patience, love and care in order to excel in learning. I have treated and taught the students here with sincerity, and we have all flourished together. The 15 years of teaching at Goodwill will be one of the most cherished memories of my life.

I look forward to continuing to serve with sincerity students with disabilities. I want them to become self-sufficient and charitable members of society, who will help spread goodwill to all.