Sharon Exton, a mail clerk at the US Housing & Urban Development (HUD) office in Memphis, TN, is described as a glowing, healthy person. But, before getting involved with Tommy Nobis Center, Sharon struggled with her disability and the stress of being unemployed.

Sharon’s life was turned upside down in 2008 when she was hit by a car as she left work. As a result, she suffers from chronic, intolerable pain. The scoliosis she suffered from prior to her accident is now intensified and she has hydrocephalus (water on the brain). Sharon underwent several surgeries and is now able to walk, but she is allergic to most medications and deals with pain every day.

Her local vocational rehabilitation office set her up with a job coach who told her about the AbilityOne Program (the nation’s largest sources of employment for people with disabilities). There, Sharon was referred to Nobis Enterprises, a subsidiary of Tommy Nobis Center. Nobis Enterprises employs people with disabilities to perform work for the federal government and is the sole provider for HUD administrative contracts in 19 locations throughout 17 states.

Sharon now works 30 hours a week and is living a more stress-free life.

“I’m glad I have a job – it gets a lot of worries off me,” she said. “I’m in a lot of pain, but it is good to be able to say that I have a job and that I go to work.”

Sharon is thankful for the Nobis Enterprises staff for taking the time to look into her background, assess her needs and put her into a job that works for her.

“I am truly grateful for the opportunity to work with Tommy Nobis Center and the chance to build some positive self-esteem,” she explained. “I am able to maintain my living situation and get rid of some of the frustrations I have about life. The experience has been wonderful.”