Cheryl ….“A Successful ‘Yarn”

Occupation: Small Business Owner

Cheryl has not let her disability stand in the way of achieving happiness and success in her life.   She initially applied to VESID for assistance in making employment changes due to her disability (visual impairment). With assistance from her VESID Vocational Rehabilitation counselor, Al Sindone, she enrolled in Empire State College where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in counseling.  She then obtained employment in the social services field.   Cheryl’s visual condition continued to worsen.  In order to maintain her employment, VESID provided her with adaptive equipment.

During this same time frame, Cheryl began to knit and crochet; designing sweaters, bathing suits, scarves and baby clothes.  She discovered there was a ready market for her products.  Cheryl became legally blind, and she sought the services of the New York State Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped (CBVH), a vocational rehabilitation sister agency, which serve individuals who are legally blind.  Her CBVH counselor helped her develop her business plan, and assisted her with specialized adaptive knitting and crocheting equipment. 

With the unique and individualized services by two State vocational rehabilitation agencies, Cheryl was able to achieve her career goals. She was recently honored as a Regional Entrepreneur of the Year during the 2007 National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) award event.  Cheryl is a success in every sense of the word. 

Al Sindone, Local Marketing Representative
Mid-Hudson District Office