There’s Nothing Wrong Asking for [Help]

Gryphon Channing was in desperate need of help. He was a student at Arizona State University, bouncing between jobs and on the verge of losing his home. “I was about to move into my car, I was on the brink of getting evicted,” he described. “I had the gas turned off so I could keep the electricity on.” That’s when he turned to the Arizona DES Vocational Rehabilitation program for help.

Gryphon served in the Navy as an Aviation Electronics Technician, maintaining military aircraft's electronic systems. Now, he faces mobility challenges from rheumatoid arthritis, and the effects of a traumatic brain injury he suffered during his service. “I had no idea these resources were even out there. So just being put in touch with them was amazing,” Gryphon said.

He explained that many veterans have a hard time reaching out for help. “That’s a big thing in the military - self-reliance. For a lot of us, asking for help, there’s a really huge stigma attached to it,” said Gryphon.

But Gryphon feels differently. “There are probably a lot of veterans out there who need help from VR,” he said. “There’s no shame in asking for help. There is help out there. There’s nothing wrong with asking for it.”

Through job development and retention services, along with the vocational guidance and counseling support from his Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, Gryphon obtained his goal of becoming a technical writer

Learn more about Vocational Rehabilitation can help individuals with disabilities.