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Tony Cabe finds employment with assistance from VR, his 'green thumb'

By Rose Hooper
The Carolina Crossmen Herald photo by Rose Hooper

Following therapy that included learning to walk and talk again, 26-year-old Tony Cabe of Sylva discovered he still had his green thumb and with the help of the N.C. Vocational Rehabilitation Services is employed in the Wal-Mart garden center.

"I've not had very many jobs, not like 25 or anything, but this is the best one I've ever had," said Tony Cabe, an associate in the garden center at Wal-Mart.

Cabe, spotlighted last week during Disabilities Awareness Week, is employed at the Sylva Supercenter through a partnership with the N.C. Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services. "It was all because of Jennifer Starr," said Cabe, giving credit to Wal-Mart's director of human resources. "She knew me and she knew that I'd worked four years at Country Road Farms Nursery. So she figured I still had a little bit of a green thumb."

"Tony is excellent with the customers," said his supervisor, Karen Owens. "He knows the plants and can help people with their purchases. They like that personal touch he gives."

As well as helping customers with plants, Cabe serves as a door greeter, watches the gate at the garden center and helps stock supplies.

"I went to work here on Oct. 12. I remember it well," said this young man from Sylva, "because they put me in with all the goblins."

"That's right," Owens explained. "His first job was in the costume department at Halloween."

Meeting the 26-year-old, a customer might not realize Cabe has disabilities. On Oct. 25, 1995, he was in a serious car accident, remaining in a coma for a month.
Diagnosed with a closed head injury, his prognosis didn't look great. But Cabe proved he is one determined man. Following intensive therapy at Thoms Rehabilitation Center in Asheville, he learned to walk and talk all over again.

Vocational rehabilitation employment services provides opportunities to persons who have mental or physical disabilities that prevent them from getting and keeping certain types of employment.

"To establish eligibility and plan appropriate services, the process begins with an assessment of the strengths and limitations of the individual," said Linda Gregory, unit manager with the local VR office. "Tony's skills are his green thumb and his ability to get along so well with the public. Wal-Mart's garden center seemed like the perfect fit."

Wal-Mart Manager Pete Newbold agreed. "Working with VR is something we like to do," said Newbold. "We've been especially happy with Tony and his performance."

Last year, VR employment services assisted more than 63,000 North Carolinians. A successful employment outcome was reached by 9,415, Gregory reported.

"The weekly earnings of VR clients before receiving services averaged $40," Gregory said. "After employment, the average - reflecting a range of earning levels and full- and part-time jobs - increased to $268.

"Wal-mart has been excellent in their working relationship with us. With Pete's help, they remove barriers to employment and create opportunities for those in VR to be independent," she continued.

Owens described Cabe as "a great worker. Anything we ask him to do, he does it and does it well. We call him 'the candy man' because he always has a pocketful of candy he shares with the associates and customers."

Cabe said he enjoys coming to work every day. "It's a good bunch of people... some better than others, but they've all been good.

"I know there's so many people here on earth who have helped me, but the 'Man Upstairs' made it all possible."

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