Roesha Parker is friendly, outgoing and hard-working – a real asset to Candler Hospital’s central supply department, according to her boss, Janet Thompson.
Parker, who came to Candler two years ago through Project Search, a special education program of the public school system, was honored last year at the Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society’s third annual Night of Champions, a celebration of “differently-abled” adults who are employed, contributing members of our community.
“I don’t look at Roe as having a disability,” Thompson said. “Most people are stronger in some areas of their job than others, and she’s no different.
“She has a lot of strengths – we’re very lucky to have her,” said Thompson, manager of distribution and receiving for the hospital.
Parker, whose job includes making sure all areas of the hospital have the supplies and equipment they need, said she couldn’t be happier with her job.
“I love it,” she said. “I love the job and the people.
“And I loved being part of Night of Champions last year because it told me I was doing a good job.”
B.J. Clark manages files for Chatham County Superior Court in the county’s Garden City Records Center.
His computer skills and aptitude for paperwork landed him the job with Superior Court Clerk Dan Massey, but his dedication to his work earned him accolades as a Champion at last year’s event.
“It’s so refreshing to have an employee who comes to work every day so happy to be there,” Massey said. “B.J. loves being productive, he loves working with people.
“From a purely selfish perspective, I’d say B.J. and other differently-abled people tend to have all the attributes we look for in employees,” Massey said. “They want to be here, they want to do a quality job.
“When we hired B.J., we didn’t put any limitations on him; we wanted to see how far he could go,” he said.
“We still aren’t there yet.”
Indeed, no one could ever accuse Clark of taking his job for granted.
“I live and breathe this job, it’s my passion,” he said.
Clark, who also came through Project Search, has another passion – advocating for others to get the kind of chance he has been given.
“We’re just like anyone else,” he said. “We just need a chance. But, so often people assume we can’t do things.
“That’s why I don’t like the word ‘disability’ – it has such a negative sound,” Clark said. “I think ‘limitations’ is a better word. And we all have limitations of one kind or another.
“I want employers to know they should never judge someone based on what they can’t do – they should find out what they can do.”
A ripple effect
Cynthia Burns says she couldn’t have said it better.
“When you’re told all your life that you can’t do something, to find out there is something you can do – and do well – is so life-affirming,” said Burns, director of business development for the Coastal Center for Developmental Services.
“That is what Night of Champions is all about.”
More than just a celebration of success stories, Night of Champions has a ripple effect in the community, Burns said.
“Every year, employers attend the event and decide they, too, want to give someone a chance,” she said. “It continues to create awareness among the business community that these are some of the most productive and positive employees they will ever find.
“In fact, one of the winners who will be announced at the fourth annual Night of Champions next week was hired by an employer who signed on after attending last year’s event,” she said.
“That’s how impressive these young people are.”
None of these accolades are surprising to Jamie Deen.
The Savannah restaurateur and Food Network star will return as emcee of this year’s Night of Champions, set for Thursday at the Westin Harbor Resort & Spa.
“Being a champion of change for these wonderful differently-abled folks is very easy, actually,” Deen said.
“They are just like you and me, wanting to be accepted and longing to contribute in a real way by being excellent employees.”
“It’s a privilege to work with individuals who are so upbeat and dedicated to their job.”
Deen should know.
PD Enterprises, which includes The Lady & Sons, Paula Deen’s iconic downtown eatery and Uncle Bubba’s Oyster House on Whitemarsh Island, has made a practice of hiring differently-abled individuals for years.
IF YOU GO
Five special employees will be honored Thursday evening in the ballroom of the Westin Savannah Harbor Resort and Spa as the Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society presents its 2013 Night of Champions. The evening includes the awards ceremony, a silent auction, dinner and cash bar. Doors open at 6 p.m. and business attire is requested. Tickets are $25 per person or $250 for a table for 10. Tickets can be purchased online at nightofchampions.org
ABOUT LDSS
The Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society is a nonprofit support group to benefit people with Down Syndrome and their families through local leadership in support, outreach, education and advocacy. Meetings are held the fourth Tuesday of every month and usually feature a guest speaker. For more information, go to http://www.ldssga.org