A Sense of Belonging
My name is Lindsey Kussow. I am 23 and live in Rincon, GA, a small town outside Savannah. It is growing with lots of new businesses, and I work at one of the big businesses called Edwards Interiors. And, I want to tell you my story.
In high school, I was in Project SEARCH. Instead of my last year of regular school, I got to do internships that helped me to learn to do new things, and it helped me figure out what I wanted to do.
I met Mandy Brown, who works for Coastal Center for Developmental Services in Savannah. She is my job coach and helped me get an interview at Edwards Interiors. They design and make the interiors of corporate jets. My interview was good and I got hired as an office assistant. That was three years ago.
My desk is in the file room. One of my big duties is using the scanner. I scan all the closed documents and do electronic filing. I also destroy the old purchase order files. When I am done with my work, I feel accomplished. I can’t pick just one favorite part of my job because I like everything I do!
Working here has helped me grow. When I first started, I wasn’t confident with using the phone. I have increased my phone skills and I have learned to communicate with other people. Now I can even stand up in front of over 500 people, give a speech about my job and accept an award like I did at The Night of Champions.* My confidence is definitely stronger. I speak up for myself now.
I am more independent away from work, too. I just bought a car – a 2016 Hyundai Elantra – and am learning new ways to get to work when I have to detour because of accidents or traffic jams. I have also been able to pay my own way to go on three cruises. By having a real job, I am able to do many things I used to only dream about.
It is important for businesses to give people with disabilities a chance. A lot of times, people with disabilities don’t think they can do these jobs, but they really can. I have shown my boss that I can do anything if I am given the right tools and a chance.
Everyone needs to have a chance because everyone gets something good out of it. I have made new friends while I have been working here, and it feels like Edwards Interiors is part of my family. I feel like I belong.
*The Night of Champions is an annual celebration of people with disabilities working in the community and their employers. Sponsored by the Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society in Savannah, the event also asks employers who have hired people with disabilities to bring other employers they know who haven’t.
At the 2015 Night of Champions event, Kussow received the President’s Award on behalf of Edwards Interiors. The company won for continued support of hiring people with disabilities.
Lindsey Kussow is 23 years old and lives in Rincon, GA. She works at Edwards Interiors as an office assistant. She is pictured above with Rep. Jon Burns who visited her at her job site during last year’s inaugural Take Your Legislator to Work Day.
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