Greg found facing life’s challenges brings personal growth

Greg O. is a lifelong resident of Mounds View and has chosen to be a client at Merrick since 2003. Greg currently holds positions at three separate Freedom Valu Center locations. He also volunteers with his church, bowls on a league at The Mermaid, and enjoys attending local live music shows. To know Greg a few years ago, one might not have thought this community involvement would be possible, but Greg’s confidence has grown with each new venture he attempts.

In the past, change or a new situation brought anxiety and worry to Greg. In 2005, he began attending a Merrick support group and was encouraged to begin opening up to possibilities presented to him for personal growth.

Flash forward seven years and Greg is a much stronger person. At the Freedom Valu Store in Fridley, a regular customer befriended Greg and invited him to a Timberwolves game. This was the beginning of Greg opening up to adventure. After the Timberwolves outing, Greg exclaimed his excitement to his Employment Specialist Amy Fournier. She loved seeing the excitement and change in Greg as he overcame his nervousness to embrace unknown situations.

In August of 2011, Greg began utilizing Metro Mobility to travel to and from work. This was a HUGE step for him. After a few weeks, Greg expressed how much he liked his driver and having pleasant conversations with fellow commuters.

When Greg shares his latest adventure, or communicates how thrilled he is with the variety in his life, his face lights up and the excitement in his voice proves coming out of our shell can be the best thing that happens to us. ❖