An ambassador for all guide dogs & humans at Humana Military

Hi all, unfortunately I have to start this blog off on a somber note. I am speaking of the loss of a beloved friend and guide dog to Adam R, Hamlet.  This was a beautiful animal and ambassador for guide dogs and humans here at Humana Military.  He is greatly missed.  We all wish Adam the best.

It is getting cold down here in Louisville.  Luckily, thanks to Humana Military, I received a free flu shot.  That makes me feel a thousand times better about the weather.  Another good thing to speak about is the skywalk (some refer to it as the pedway).  The skywalk is my all-time-greatest-favorite-thing in Louisville. It connects several buildings downtown, including Waterford Plaza where Humana Military is located.  The skywalk allows me to comfortably and safely traverse from Humana military to a bus stop or a number of other restaurants, information center and the Louisville Convention Center.  I am loving this.  Being visually impaired makes my safety crossing the streets important.  Also, I am starting to meet some awesome people on the skywalk.

I am about a month on the floor at Humana Military and the job has gotten a thousand times easier then when I first started on the floor.  I remember being in tears the first few days.  I did not know if I could do this job.  The team leads, supervisors and my “seasoned” coworkers were constantly giving me encouragement and positive feed back.  I told that in a month I would get better and that three months down the road I would be wondering why I was so flustered and panicy.  I guess when you are new new-job jitters and fears can get the best of you.

I am exremely happy and proud that I worked throuh those fears.  I know I still have a lot to lean and that learning here at Humana Mililtary will be an ongoing thing.  I have my first one on one with my supervisor, Michelle Crain.  A one on one is where your supervisor  reviews your statistic with you.  A month ago I would have been terrified.  Today,  I say “bring it on” I am ready.

It is almost time for Thanksgiving .  I am looking forward to cooking Birdzilla.  I still miss my family and friends.  But I made the right decision to come here to Louisville, and Humana Military  the opportunity to to start anew in life is wonderful

-Barbara

Hello world, My name is Barb.

When I decided to write this, I did not know what I would write about first.  So I decided to start from the beginning.  I was a pretty happy person, I had my job, I had my truck and I had my two precious teenie weenies.  I felt safe, comfortable and secure.  What could possibly go wrong?

Well… life has a way of throwing you a wrench.  On December 29, 2009, I woke up, smelled really good coffee, and hit the alarm.  Just another day….not.  I could not see.  Talk about panic.  I could see a little out of my left eye and almost nothing out of my right eye.  I knew this could not be good.

I started going to one specialist after another, and no one could give me an answer as to the cause of my sight loss.  I tried to work….you know that did not work out too good.  So in a matter of a few months I lost my job, my truck.  I really really liked my truck, ( the police have issues with blind people being behind the wheel…go figure).  If that did not hurt enough, I had all of these “specialist” tell me to “accept it, you are blind.”  I hope those doctors never decide to start writing greeting cards.

I felt I was at my lowest point.  I sat and stared at the wall…..what I could see of the wall.  I applied to vocational rehabilitative services.  This was part of my accepting my blindness.  They sent me to a low vision specialist who did surgery and restored some of my sight.  I know that I will never have complete sight again but I just happy not having strange people stop me from walking in front of a bus.

A few weeks after surgery I went to Bosma Enterprises.  When I was first told about the company, all I could say was Bosma who? They do what?  But, luckily, I found out they do a lot.  Because of Bosma I started to get my confidence and self esteem back.  I was introduced the hardest working group of people I ever met my own counselor Clyde who embodies the word awesome. He helped me with resumes and job-hunting tips, and a lot of the do’s and don’ts to interviewing.

But for all of his and my hard work, I would go to job interviews and as soon as they knew that I needed special equipment, mentally I could hear the door slam.  At one job interview…at least the person was honest…..I was told that I would eventually be a liability.   Back to staring at the wall.

But, I persevered and was approached by Clyde with a wonderful opportunity in Louisville KY. About a contract job with Humana Military.  I was excited and apprehensive at the same time.  I thought to myself  I do not know if I can do this.  I would have to uproot myself from my home, friends and family.  But I took a chance and I know that it has paid off and will even more in the long run.  The opportunity that Bosma Enterprises and Humana Military have given me leaves me speechless…almost.

I have just started here and I know that I could write a book on my experiences down here.

I have met some world class trainers and supervisors in a work atmosphere that I have never known.  People I do not know are always offering help in and out of the work place. I knew that I was in the right place when, on my graduation day, the CEO of Humana Military ate lunch with us and talked with each of us, one-on-one.  That has never happened before.  I knew then, this was the right place for me.

Sometimes I would get a case of the jitters.  But, we had Brenda. Those of you who know her and those who will get to know her; she is truly a mom away from home.  She did not just drop our group here in Louisville; she made 150% sure that we were okay.  You’ll see.

I will talk to you all next week

-Barb