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Positive attitude helps make Thames successful at work

BARTOW — Thomas Thames is always early to work at his job at the Walmart in Bartow.

He hangs out around the time clock with fellow employees waiting for his shift to begin. When the appointed time pops up, he is there to clock in. He immediately heads outside to the parking lot to begin his quick-paced collection of the shopping carts.

"I collect the carts in the lot, and then use the motorized cart to bring them into the two cart bays on both sides of the building," he says.

"I also help the customers out to their cars with large items like televisions and gardening supplies," he adds.

Thames is excited about his job, says store co-manager Felecia Ledford. "He is always here. He will do anything you ask of him. He is always pleasant and friendly with everyone."

Thames has developmental disabilities and receives job coaching and other services from Florida's Agency for Persons with Disabilities. October is Disability Employment Awareness Month, a time to highlight the contributions of people with disabilities to the workforce.

Thames is proud of the fact that he's missed only one day of work in five years. His attitude is appreciated by fellow employees. "If you call him, he will be there," Ledford says.

Thames has fun with his fellow employees while at work. The camaraderie and support he receives on the job contributes to his dedication to his employer. "I feel comfortable here. People are very nice to me," Thames says.

APD supports people with developmental disabilities to live, learn and work in their communities. The agency annually serves more than 50,000 Floridians with autism, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, intellectual disabilities, Down syndrome, and Prader-Willi syndrome. For more information about the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, visit APDcares.org.