Carolyn Diaz has Larsen Syndrome, a genetic condition that affects bone development and requires her to use a wheelchair. She works as a special education teacher to be a role model for her students with disabilities. Diaz credits Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) for helping her find a career path in education after losing her previous job in 2009. VR paid for her education credits to become a certified teacher, provided modifications to help her work, and purchased an accessible wheelchair. Without VR's assistance, Diaz doubts she could have achieved her goal of becoming a teacher. She now helps her students by sharing her story of overcoming challenges with the help of VR.

1. TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT ,, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2012 ,, 38
Carolyn Diaz works with students at her high school in Tampa, where she is a special education teacher. Diaz credits
the help she received from Vocational Rehabilitation with finding a career path in education. SPECIAL To THE DEMOCRAT -
Teacher with disability is
role model for students
By Tiffany.Cowie
Specialto the Democrat
TAMPA-"I've been ina wheelchairall my life and
I don't let it stop me from doing anything," Carolyn
Diaz says confidently.
Diazhas LarsenSyndrome,aninherited condition
that affects the development of bones throughout
the body. Both her father and uncle share the same
condition.
She hasn't let her disability stop her from setting
high goals for herself. Diaz and others are being rec-
ognized during October, Disability Employment
Awareness Month.
Diaz has maintained a job all her adult life, but in
2009 she knew she needed help to stay in the work-
force. "I was in a situation where 1 was going to be
unemployed," she said. "I found myself in a bad
economy with no employment prospects, so I turned
to VR for help."
Diaz was paired with Vocational Rehabilitation
(VR) counselor Kate Seipp to come up with a plan to
keep Diaz working. "I met Kate in the summer of
2009, and she worked hard to get me approved and
off the waiting the list," she added.
Seipp worked with Diaz to help her find the right
careerpath. Theydecideda joba~ a teacherwouldbe
both fulfilling and attainable for Diaz. "We assisted
with counseling and guidance," Seipp said. "VR paid
for a year of education credits, which led to Caro-
lyn's certification as a special education teacher. VR
also purchased a wheelchair for her and helped with
making accommodations to her home and modifica-
tions to her car."
Without help, Diaz doubts she would have at-
tained her goal. "It wouldn't have been financially
available to me if VR hadn't stepped in," she said. "I
couldn't have done it without VR's help."
Diaz landed a job as a high school teacher in Tam-
pa. She says having a disability gives her an advan-
tage in the classroom. "I teach special education to
students with disabilities," Diaz added. "I feel I real-
ly am able to affect change. I think they need to see
someone like me in a professional setting."
Her supervisor, Jean Mauser, agrees. "I think she
has a good relationship with the kids," she said.
"Whatimpressed me most was duringan Individual-
ized Education Plan meeting last year, she was tell-
ing a student how VR helped her. Also, if a student is
complaining about his circumstance, she tells him
her story and explains how VR helped. She shares
her story with the kids and their families."