Goodwill

Jim Barnette

“Things are really good for me. I have a job and earn money…It’s good.”

Barnette has proven to himself and others he has moved beyond the disabilities that were a direct result from a brain hemorrhage he suffered at only six weeks of age.  Though he is legally blind, a mild quadriplegic and cognitively delayed, Barnette has still managed to overcome many of the obstacles placed before him.

Barnette’s life’s path from childhood to adulthood is littered with society’s rejection and misunderstanding of his situation.  Fortunately, for the most part, Barnette has fond memories of childhood.  He grew up in a household filled with love, and under the watchful eyes of his family, his early years of life were happy and filled with some degree of normalcy.  According to Barnette’s sister, he “played with other kids in the neighborhood, explored his environment like any other kid and had his share of adventures”.  It was not until Barnette turned eight or nine years of age, his family witnessed children around him moving forward intellectually while he “stayed young”.

Unfortunately, the academic world did not know how to help Barnette meet the challenges he was faced with. After Barnette’s mother died when he was 11, his sister enrolled him in a neurological organization program in Philadelphia, PA.  Prior to coming to Goodwill, other work shelter employers and coworkers also had trouble interacting with Barnette.  His sister says he was often “relegated to the lowest common denominator because of lack of understanding on everyone’s part…”
In 2002, after years of misunderstandings, Barnette’s workplace experiences turned around when he came to Goodwill.  Since joining our program, his sister tells us he is blossoming into the person he always knew he should be.  During the day, Barnette has multiple job duties, such as stocking wares and pulling clothing from the retail floor.  As Barnette tells it; “things are really good for me:  I have a girlfriend who is perfect for me, I have a job and earn money, and I am singing and performing for the public.  It’s good.” 

Given Barnette’s success at Goodwill, it will be interesting to see what the future holds for him, both professionally and personally.  His sister knows he will continue to seek independence, and tells us Barnette hopes to get married one day and play music.  At Goodwill, we have already been enlightened through some of the lessons taught by Barnette.  Quite simply, he is a study in personal strength and perseverance.  Goodwill is honored to know Barnette, and we hope he is part of our family for years to come.