Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services Division for Blind Services (DBS) - Fernando Rivera

When a consumer participates in the DBS Vocational Rehabilitation program, it’s a given that they will be helped in finding employment.  But that process sometimes means the counselor must “throw out the textbook” in order to help their consumer. 

Take the example of Fernando Rivera, who was a Vocational Rehabilitation Teacher in the Beaumont Field Office when he was assigned to Rafael Librado Trevino.  It was August of 2007 and Fernando had just started working for DBS. He and trainer Lilly Gregory met Librado at his home for an assessment of services. 

He was living in a converted garage at his son’s house.  Librado greeted them and apologized for his appearance but told them he didn’t really care what people thought of him anymore.

Librado told Lilly and Fernando about how he had suddenly started losing his vision years earlier and lost his job because he could not distinguish colors and depth. He went through many other personal tragedies that left him feeling alone and ashamed.  If it wasn’t for his church and its members, he said, he might have taken his own life.  Lilly and Fernando assured Librado he had much to live for and they were going to help make it happen.

Lilly gave Librado encouraging words and told him she would bring him an electric razor on their next visit. He was skeptical, but agreed to receive their help.  On the way back to the office, Fernando said he couldn’t help wonder why she offered him an electric razor.  Lilly explained that even though employment is the goal, sometimes they have to approach people from a different angle.  Librado seemed to her a very proud man and she had the feeling he would resist help at every turn.

Fernando said, “She told me that by having him shave, it serves us both. For him, he will look clean and respectable when he goes to church.  Since he will not have anyone assisting him in shaving, he will also feel independent.  It’s also going to show him that if he uses a different technique and approach to certain things in his life he could achieve almost anything he desires.”

Fernando started working with Librado, introduce him to assistive technologies he could use in the workplace, and building a rapport with his consumer. At that point, he told Librado to have at least three job applications filled out before every visit. Months went by, and Librado filled out job applications just as Fernando instructed him.

Around Christmas of that year, there was an opportunity for Librado to attend an employment training.  Fernando encouraged him to attend, but the months of unsuccessful job searching left Librado discouraged.  There was only one person who could convince him to attend: Librado’s pastor.

So, Fernando went to Librado’s church and introduced himself to the pastor.  He explained about DBS and that he needed assistance in helping convince Librado to attend the employment seminar. The pastor agreed to help.

“On the following Monday, I met with Librado and he informed to me that he would attend the seminar. The seminar in Houston was a success and it injected in Librado a full dose of ‘You Can Do It’ attitude. With his confidence up, Librado set out to look for employment again,” said Fernando.

Soon after this, Librado received a call to interview at the local Walmart.  Weeks later, he got the job.

“We still speak at least once a week. He’s still a proud man. He is proud of himself. He tells me that he is proud of the fact that he can contribute and do his share as a citizen. The management team at Walmart informs me that Librado is a model employee and that they would hire one hundred Librado’s in a heartbeat,” said Fernando.  “He tells me that he will never quit and that he would never give up.”