Michelle Nichols Interview Summary
Michelle Maureen Nichols, who has been working at the ARC call center for 13 years, shared her journey of overcoming challenges as a blind person. She discussed her early education at the Missouri School for the Blind and the impact of a negative teacher at Townsend Elementary. Michelle recounted her struggles with anger and entitlement, which improved through a personal development course focused on emotional intelligence. She highlighted her progress, including securing a job at the ARC call center and maintaining it for 13 years. Michelle emphasized the importance of support from DVR and the Uplift Ourselves group in her personal and professional growth.
Outline
Michelle's Background and Interests
Michelle Maureen Nichols introduces herself, stating she works in the ARC call center and has been there for 13 years.
Outside of work, Michelle enjoys reading books, particularly those about people overcoming odds, such as "Not Without My Daughter."
She discusses the book's story about an American woman trapped in Iran with her daughter, relating it to her own experiences as a person with a disability.
Michelle identifies as blind since birth and feels well-adjusted, able to advocate for herself and live independently.
Growing Up with a Disability
Michelle shares her early education, including time at the Missouri School for the Blind and a loving, nurturing environment at New Madrid Elementary School.
She describes the challenges of moving to a new school where she faced a less supportive teacher, leading to a decline in her grades and depression.
Michelle reflects on how her experiences have shaped her into a resilient individual, holding down a job and living independently.
She emphasizes the importance of telling her story to inspire others facing similar struggles.
Impact of Teachers and Parents
Michelle recounts a negative experience with a teacher at Townsend Elementary who wished she hadn't been born, which deeply affected her self-esteem.
She discusses the difficulty of conveying her feelings to her parents and the impact of their focus on her behavior rather than her emotional well-being.
Michelle's anger and hurt from her childhood experiences led to outbursts and a lack of motivation in school.
She highlights the importance of having supportive and nurturing teachers and parents in a child's life.
Transition to the Colorado Center for the Blind
Michelle explains how she was recommended to attend the Colorado Center for the Blind through her rehab counselor, Penny Pair.
She initially resisted the idea but eventually realized the need for the training to better equip herself for employment.
Michelle describes her initial struggles and resistance to the training, feeling she had already mastered the necessary skills.
She acknowledges the importance of the training in helping her overcome her anger and hurt, leading to personal growth and better job prospects.
Challenges at the Chamber of Commerce
Michelle discusses her internship at the Chamber of Commerce, where she faced challenges with interpersonal skills and job expectations.
She describes a particular incident where she lost her temper with a tech guy, leading to her being asked not to return.
Michelle reflects on the importance of learning to manage her anger and the impact of her behavior on her job security.
She shares how she eventually found a job at the ARC call center, starting with a part-time evening schedule and working her way up.
Personal Development and Emotional Intelligence Course
Michelle talks about taking a personal development course focused on emotional intelligence to improve her interpersonal skills.
She explains how the course helped her recognize and address her deep-seated anger and hurt, leading to better job performance.
Michelle shares an example of how she learned to rephrase her words to avoid offending her colleagues, leading to positive feedback from her supervisor.
She emphasizes the importance of continuous personal growth and the support she received from her counselor and the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR).
Retaining a Job and Overcoming Entitlement
Michelle discusses the importance of retaining her job at the ARC call center and the support she received from DVR.
She shares an incident with Lyft where she received a warning about her behavior, leading her to reflect on her childhood experiences and entitlement.
Michelle explains how she learned to balance her needs with those of others and the impact of this change on her job security.
She highlights the importance of recognizing and addressing underlying issues to maintain a stable and fulfilling job.
Impact of the Uplift Ourselves Group
Michelle talks about her involvement in the Uplift Ourselves group, which meets monthly to provide support and reinforce personal growth.
She appreciates the group as a safe space to be honest and open, helping her maintain the positive changes she has made.
Michelle mentions the gratitude chain activity, which helps her stay grounded and positive even in challenging times.
She emphasizes the value of the group in reinforcing the lessons learned in the personal development course and maintaining her job satisfaction.
Final Thoughts and Recommendations
Michelle expresses her gratitude for the support she received from DVR and the personal development course.
She recommends the course to others who may be on the edge of losing their job or facing similar challenges.
Michelle highlights the importance of taking proactive steps to empower oneself and avoid job loss.
She concludes by expressing her appreciation for the opportunity to share her story and inspire others.