Joyce McInerny has voices all around her. She grew up with schizophrenia, depress and borderline personality disorder.
Despite this, she is a thriving productive member of society. She also is giving back to her community.
Joyce works as a peer specialist for the Florida Assertive Community Treatment program at the Peace River Center. She teaches the mentally ill how to cope. She teaches them how to work, be productive and become members of their communities.
Unemployment among the disabled, no matter what the disability, is staggering. Almost 80% of those with disabilities are unemployed.
Wow – our government and economists are upset with general unemployment hits 8 and 9%. The disabled have been dealing with massive unemployment since those statistics have been compiled.
Joyce is making a difference, one person at a time. In her own way she is giving back. She is empowering those with a mental illness to be what they can be.
Can anyone aspire to anything greater in their life?
At one time Joyce suffered from the discrimination that is inherent in our society, that anyone with a disability is unemployable.
Keep it up Joyce. Hopefully others will step up and help – one person at a time – until the disabled have full access to employment, like any American is entitled to.
Previously Published on The View From The Dark Side of The Moon Blog
This was a great post. Joyce is doing wonderful things and i suggest everyone follow in her footsteps.
Way to go Joyce!!!!!!! Its great to see people with disabilities taking back their lives and helping others. Peer Specialists rock 🙂
Yuppers – you know how it is. you have to get out there and just do it.