DARS Consumer Stories

Autism Program

Braiden

When Braiden was not yet 2 years old, he was consistently delayed in reaching his developmental milestones. | Read Braiden's story

Rhett

Rhett is a 5-year-old boy with pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified. He had problems getting his messages across to others and understanding messages from others. | Read Rhett’s story

Blind Services

Oscar

Oscar is a 12-year-old boy who wants to be a scientist and president of the United States one day. He also is legally blind, and his arm and upper body are paralyzed. | Read Oscar's story

Brittany

Brittany rides her horse around the rodeo arena like no one you've ever seen. People are surprised when they learn that she has been legally blind since birth. | Read Brittany's story

Justin

The ranking of Valedictorian is an impressive accomplishment. But for Justin, it was just another goal to achieve. | Read Justin's story

Danny

High school senior Danny loves playing in the band, wrestling, and traveling, and he doesn’t let his visual impairment get in the way of doing any of it. | Read Danny’s story

Jean

Jean Dean is a physical education substitute teacher who always strives for independence. That’s why it was difficult for her when she realized she needed assistance from DARS DBS. | Read Jean’s story

Caleb

Caleb Thompson is one of those success stories that can only be described as "miraculous." Caleb was three years old when he was referred to the Abilene DARS office by the Make A Wish Foundation. He was stricken with leukemia when he was only two. | Read Caleb’s story

Sara

Sara is a speech therapist. She came to DARS for assistance with job retention when her vision loss caused her to have difficulty completing her job duties. With help from DARS, Sara kept her job. | Read Sara’s story

Velia

Velia has an artist’s touch when it comes to adapting materials to meet her students’ individual needs. She can communicate her ideas to students who are blind or visually impaired. | Read Velia’s story

Julio

Everyone strives to find their dream job, and Julio has “cooked up” his dream—literally. Legally blind since birth, Julio is a chef at a hotel described as offering a superb combination of impeccable service and outstanding amenities. | Read Julio’s story

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services

John

Sometimes a DARS vocational rehabilitation counselor comes across a consumer who strikes a note at the heart of DARS' mission. John struck that note when he came to DARS requesting help. | Read John’s story

Seth

Seth Gerlis has his own media company that broadcasts news and information via the Internet to people who are deaf. His journey began with a goal of self-employment in DARS’ Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services. | Read Seth’s story

Adam

When you see Adam working with his students, it is obvious that he is passionate about being the band director at Wood Middle School in San Antonio. The fact that Adam has a severe hearing loss is not so obvious. | Read Adam's story

Early Childhood Intervention Services

Andre

As a nurse, Chris Simon saw children with developmental delays and conditions like Down syndrome when she worked in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and in pediatric clinics. So when she gave birth to Andre, a child with Down syndrome, she thought she was prepared. | Read Andre’s story

Luke

Rebecca and Jay had been to doctor after doctor trying to figure out why their one-year-old son Luke was experiencing speech delays, exhibiting unusual eating habits, and avoiding interacting or socializing with other kids. | Read Luke’s story

Kolt

Going into their ultrasound appointment, J.D. and Shay McDaniel were focused on expectant parents’ typical questions. But a few minutes into the appointment, they heard the devastating diagnosis for their third child, Kolt. | Read Kolt’s story

Rehabilitation Services

Lindsay

In an ironic twist, Lindsay's journey ended where it began— at a DARS office. | Read Lindsay's story

Broderick

Broderick has been wheelchair-bound for most of his life due to cerebral palsy. But he was determined and enthusiastic to find a job and go to work. | Read Broderick's story

Bruce

A 70 year-old bookkeeper and accountant, Bruce has been dealing with profound hearing loss, spinal scoliosis, and a painful nerve condition known as sciatica. He knew that DARS could help him and visited the nearby Rosenberg field office with his wife. | Read Bruce's story

Jane

Jane joined the Army in 1977 when she was 20. While on active duty, Jane suffered a terrible injury that shattered her elbow, hand, and wrist. Army surgeons placed a metal plate in her arm, along with several pins and screws. | Read Jane’s story

James

James Pierce benefitted from DARS Independent Living Services. The 82-year-old retiree applied for DARS services after he suffered a stroke. He used a power wheelchair and walker for mobility. | Read James’ story

Jaymar

Jaymar received a traumatic brain injury when he was shot in the head following a neighborhood dispute. In this instant, his life changed forever as he lost his capacity to walk and speak. | Read Jaymar’s story

Delfino

Delfino, a hard-working man from Lyford, Texas, has always loved being outdoors. But one day, a near-fatal car accident left him paralyzed from the chest down. | Read Delfino’s story

Guadalupe

Guadalupe and his wife are a husband-and-wife team and have been driving their big rig for 20 years. Guadalupe wasn’t well, but he didn’t know what was wrong with him until 1999. | Read Guadalupe’s story

Reuben

Reuben came to DARS eager to go to work, but his bipolar disorder and associated behaviors made it difficult for him to be successful in a typical work setting. | Read Reuben’s story