Success Story

John Dziewa - A Story of Survival

 Fourteen years ago, a diving accident changed John Dziewa's life forever. Working! magazine asked John to share with us how Goodwill and the power of work gave him the confidence to believe in himself.

"Believe in the power of work."

It is hard to appreciate the significance of this phrase without experiencing the power firsthand. It requires an awareness of the doubt, desperation and fear that results from an inability to participate and contribute to society. For me, this awareness was all too clear and present in my life.

The summer before my senior year of high school I became a quadriplegic in a diving accident. At the time, I had a clear vision of making my career as a diesel mechanic. That all changed in a moment. I graduated from high school in a daze. Completely dependent on others for my most basic needs with absolutely no idea of where my life was headed, I envisioned only a future of dependence with my days filled with watching TV and staring out windows.

Fortunately, that kind of "future" only lasted nine months. Due to the persistence of my family and vocational counselor, I was encouraged to pursue an education, and hopefully a career. However, I was overcome by the many fears I had concerning how my disability would affect my job performance and how others would accept me. It was then that I learned of a computer programming training course for people with disabilities sponsored by Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, 25 major Milwaukee area companies and a Milwaukee technical college. After interviewing with the program sponsors I was surprised by the planning, commitment and resources that were dedicated to making me a productive employee. It was an easy decision - I enrolled in the program.

After nine months of intense training and a three-month internship, I had a job as a computer programmer making more money than I, or my family, ever thought was possible. But that was not the best part. I was participating in society. I was becoming more independent, and I was starting to believe in myself. I had begun my schooling and career not because I truly believed I could succeed, but because I didn't want to let down the people who supported me. Now, looking back 14 years later, I can attribute my achievements - indeed, my survival - to the efforts of the people and partners of Goodwill. For it was these people who truly believed that the power of work would help me overcome the fears that paralyzed me more deeply than my physical injury ever did.

Throughout my training, I was taught much more than how to program a computer. I was given an opportunity to test myself, and a chance to overcome my fears. I was given an opportunity to interact with business professionals so that they could be comfortable with my abilities as well as my disability. Finally, I was given access to a vast network of resources that included government agencies, corporations and disability support services that I could never have obtained on my own.

I have always been amazed by the genuine concern, dedication and professionalism exuded by the people and partners of Goodwill programs. It was what first attracted me to Goodwill and it is what keeps me involved in supporting existing programs today. It was the power of work that gave me the hope and confidence to succeed, but I will never forget that it was Goodwill that made working possible. 

Source: Working! Fall 2001