Success Story: Viktoria

While many people are trying to figure out how to live life to the fullest, injured workers often have the benefit of eventually seeing their retraining as a “reset” in life so they can really appreciate what life has to offer. It’s as if after a period of darkness, the lights have been turned on to new possibilities.

When Viktoria came to OCC, she had suffered a traumatic head injury. While working as a jewelry specialist at a department store, a large piece of machinery fell on her, injuring her head, back, and shoulder. Viktoria often dealt with confusion, blurry vision, and difficulty concentrating. She was not sure that any type of retraining would be possible for her.

Together, Viktoria and her OCC counselor considered many different options. Together they learned about the best ways for her to improve her attention and concentration. Viktoria was able to plan for success by removing distractions, focusing on one task at a time, and taking breaks when she got tired. Eventually, Viktoria chose to work on a real estate program, which had online videos she could watch and re-watch to be sure retained the information.

“My OCC counselor cared and was always helpful,” Viktoria said. “I had not been in school for over 20 years and he was always there to help me.”

We are very proud to say that Viktoria passed her real estate course on the first try and she is now a certified realtor with a career path that can take her far. What could have become a very dark time was turned around and light was shone on all that was possible for Viktoria. She has renewed hope and joy in her life and we are so grateful to have been a part of that!