More Than My Diagnosis: VR Client Redefines Their Abilities to Become a Pharmacy Technician

When Dakota Tidwell was 8 years old, he was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, and Anxiety. His diagnoses led to others viewing him differently. Despite his efforts to educate them about his condition, he often felt that only his family and a few teachers truly believed he was more than his diagnosis and could accomplish great things. Dakota would soon learn that support was available to help him prove them right.

In high school, during a special education class in his hometown of St. John, Arizona, Dakota and his classmates received a presentation about the DES Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program. He learned that VR can help people with disabilities prepare for a job, apply for college, and strategize for success.

When visiting a local job fair, Dakota's mother learned about an online Pharmacy Technician program through Martinsburg College. She knew Dakota always wanted to work in the medical field and shared the information with him. Despite some trepidation, Dakota recalled the advice of his Nana, who told him, "Don't let your disability define you. You define your abilities," and felt confident that with the help of the VR program, he could pursue his new employment goal of becoming a Pharmacy Technician.

The VR Program connected Dakota with VR Counselor, Kristen Lennon, and job coach, Angie Holekamp. With their help, Dakota completed his Pharmacy Technician certification and was ready to begin employment. Dakota credits some of his success to the support from VR and said it helped "having the knowledge that if I needed help, it was only a text or phone call away." VR continued to be with him throughout his career journey.

Living in a rural community in Northern Arizona offered few Pharmacy Technician employment opportunities, so Dakota asked for support from his VR Counselor. Kristen had just learned about a partnership between VR and Walgreens, so she contacted Natalie Pollett, the Area Field Disability Inclusion Specialist. Natalie then worked with the local Walgreens Pharmacy Manager to recommend Dakota to the store and sent his resume, cover letter, and a reference statement from his job coach, Angie, highlighting his professionalism and reliability.

“My team works to support the talent pipeline [for Walgreens], specifically for people with disabilities," explained Natalie. “Although we cannot guarantee an interview, we are serious about hiring."

Dakota finally received a call to interview with Walgreens in Show Low and reached out to Angie to prepare. At the time of the interview, the interview committee informed Dakota that he would receive a call in about a week, but in just a few short minutes, the phone rang: “Your interviewer liked you so much, we want to offer you the job!" After completing initial training, Dakota was hired and has been working as a Pharmacy Technician Trainee since March.

In the coming months, he will have support from Walgreens to take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board exam and become a full-time Pharmacy Technician. Kristen says she's "been super impressed with him at his job, and he has far exceeded my expectations with his dedication."

For anyone thinking of applying to VR, Dakota advises, “You should apply because there are no downsides. As long as you put in the effort and do your part, VR will do theirs."

Develop Your Career Through the VR Program

DES is proud to provide quality opportunities that enable individuals with disabilities to overcome barriers and lead self-directed, healthy, and meaningful lives. The DES VR Program increases independence and self-sufficiency through participation in the workforce. For more information about employment programs for individuals with disabilities, please visit the Vocational Rehabilitation webpage.

Grow Your Team and Become an Employer Champion with VR

Employers interested in partnering with VR to grow their employee base to include Arizonans with disabilities are invited to join our monthly Employer Outreach Meetings. Email [email protected] to get started. "It has been an effective platform to learn about other employers' efforts to recruit people with disabilities and exchange contact information with local job coach agencies and organizations supporting people with disabilities," said …about the meetings.