Robert Statam: 
Coming straight out of high school from Chicago, I had a strong interest for the military. I joined the service and I went into the Army. My job that I went into the service for was in communications. 
I was a Communications Specialist. I have been in two tours in Europe and Germany. I spent about seven years total, in the military. Once I completed my time in the service, I continued to work for the government as a United States Postal Carrier.  
After thirteen years of this work, it began to take a toll on me, health-wise. It led to some medical issues. I became disabled from a surgury mishap where a disc ruptured and it paralyzed me. 

The Ticket to Work program was introduced to me throughout my rehabilition period. The VA was assisting me. They even offered me the idea of going back to work. 
So they introduced me to a representative from Social Security who told me about the Ticket to Work program. 
Well, as the representative explained the program it became obvious that there are some safety nets. Some of the things I was worried about, I didn't need to be. It was no worry at all. 

Now, it wasn't until the [vocational rehabilitation] representative for paralyzed veterans, who again introduced me to the Ticket to Work program and I told him I had heard of it, I was aware of it, but this time, as years had gone by, I felt a little bit more stronger about accepting it this time. 
I knew that I was at a level, health-wise and I thought it was time for me to make some serious decisions and not be living on a fixed income, when I had such a desire to want to do much more. The program has helped me see that if things don't work out, there's still enough of a security net there. 
Fair to say, you don't have to worry about that. They even gave me a year while I was working that I was still covered under social security. 
They make sure that they are there to assist you and help you in all types of ways, not only to put you back in the workforce or give you the skills that you need to get there, but to follow you, once you're there. 
After being part of the Ticket to Work program, I started looking again into the availabilities of positions for National Service Officer.  At that time, there just happened to be some available positions. 

Winston Woodard, Senior Benefits Advocate, Paralyzed Veterans of America: 
We put in the ticket for the position.  He had to apply for the position, normally. It came up shortly thereafter that he was selected as a candidate to be a National Service Officer at the Chicago office. 

Robert Statam: 
After the interview, they immediately told me that I was very qualified and that I could prepare to begin to come to work. 
I became a National Service Officer for the Paralyzed Veterans of America. Paralyzed Veterans of America is, of course, a service organization dedicated to helping those veterans with spinal cord injuries and spinal cords disease, as we assist all veterans with VA benefits and we advocate for veterans healthcare. 
I greet and meet with new veterans or new patients for the first time. Coming back to work has built up my [independence] and my self pride. I'm an acheiver again. I have something to offer society and it's almost like you're regaining a good portion of dignity back. 
Prior to even coming back to work I was highly interested in some of the disability sporting events - the wheel chair games. I used to participate in that every year.  It was a big event for me. The Ticket to Work program has helped open up the door and put me back. It has put my life back on track.