Meet the Team – Gaylon from Employment Services
Walton Options is very fortunate to have a wonderful set of individuals who daily contribute to the services and projects that we offer our consumers. Our staff and volunteers are at the heart of what makes Walton Options tick. Which is why we want to introduce the team to you!
This month, we sat down with one of our Employment Services Team members, Gaylon, to find out a little more about not only his work at Walton Options but also some of his favorite things.
Name: Gaylon Tootle
Department: Employment Services
Work Title: Employment Advocate
Office you are based at: Augusta, GA
What is your favorite …
Color? Royal Blue and White
Movie? Muhammad Ali; “The Greatest”
Song? We Are the World
TV Show? Law and Order
Pizza topping? Sausage and Cheese
When did you start at Walton Options?
March 2017
What is your role at Walton Options? How do you interact with consumers?
I am an Employment Services Advocate and I am tasked with teaching GPS classes, helping with Independent Living Plans, as well as Independent Living Work Plans. However, I am not limited to that for there is such as “and other duties as assigned.” I love my job. I love the fact that I am actually making a difference in the lives of the people that I am coming in contact with. Being an individual who just happens to be blind, I think allows me the opportunity to “feel with” the consumer in many ways. This allows me to connect with them in a special way by “seeing” things from their perspective.
What drew you to work with Walton Options?
I had heard so many things about Walton Options over the years that it was a no brainer. Being a member of the National Federation of the Blind, I was well aware of the many great things they were doing. I got married to a beautiful young lady from here in Augusta and decided that we would make this our permanent home. Needless to say, I made Walton Options one of the first places I looked at for employment. It has been a wonderful experience as I can truly say: I have been in the workforce for 30 years and, this is the first time that I can honestly say that I LOVE my job!
What is your favorite aspect of working at Walton Options?
Knowing that each and every customer is leaving our facility with a sense of personal satisfaction knowing that Walton Options is here to serve the WHOLE person i. e, employment assistance, independent living skills, advocacy etc.
If you could champion one aspect/focus/area of disability rights, what would it be and why?
Advocacy. Why, because advocacy has the power to affect change. Tangible change.
Who inspires you and why?
Muhammad Ali. Through his unwavering belief in himself he was able to ascend to the greatest of heights just believing that he could do it. I believe in me!!
If you are interested in learning more about what Walton Options has to offer persons with disabilities, give us a call at 706-724-6262, complete our Contact Us form or submit a Self-Referral Form.