Toward Maximum Independence (TMI) Supported Employment client, Sam, has worked at Balboa Naval Hospital for two years with the support of his Job Coach Andrew Palasciano, who was very excited to share Sam’s story with us. In addition to Sam working 35-40 hours a week, his volunteer life is truly inspirational! On his days off from work he volunteers at the San Diego Zoo, sometimes until 10:00 pm. Sam loves spending time with the zoo staff and animals, so the time flies! Sam has also been a Special Olympics athlete for more than 25 years.
Every year Sam takes a week off from work to volunteer at the Torrey Pines Golf Tournament where he arrives at 5:30 am and doesn’t leave until 9:00 pm. Usually he spends the day driving players’ staff around the course. But not this year! This year on his vacation Sam is going to a Special Olympics convention in Long Beach to kick off his training to become a Global Messenger. After one year of training, he will then begin traveling around the world visiting companies and educating them on their worthy cause.
Sam is already an Ambassador for the Special Olympics at the Naval Hospital. He can’t speak highly enough of the organization and several of the hospital customers have even come to his games to watch him play. Sam was also recently in the first Chargers preseason halftime show playing soccer representing the Special Olympics. To top it off…the Chargers won the game! We look forward to hearing more about Sam’s many adventures and wish him well as a Special Olympics Global Messenger!
An estimated 1 in 6 people are born with a developmental disability. Just like you, they are born with hopes, dreams and the drive to contribute to society. Since 1981 Toward Maximum Independence (TMI) has transformed thousands of lives by providing assistance to children and adults with developmental disabilities, giving them the ability to realize their hopes and dreams.