Perspectives - Text Only

Perspectives

James - Pizza Hut

James was injured at age 2 resulting in a traumatic brain injury. Prior to his current job, he worked in a sheltered workshop. James reports that he disliked the environment at the workshop, which led to challenging behaviors and eventually in termination. He knew he wanted to work but not at the workshop. James went through a local supported employment agency in Richmond, Virginia to find his current position. For the past year, James has been working at Pizza Hut. He is responsible for folding pizza boxes.

James loves his job. "They all care a lot about me," James says referring to his coworkers. He says that if he is having a bad day, "they try and talk problems out with me." James keeps up with a steady production rate of 50 boxes per hour. He says that sometimes he will have a bad day and his production is lower but "everyone has bad days." James reports that his life has changed a lot since he has been working at Pizza Hut. "I am not as bored or angry anymore. I feel more independent."