Woodward woman with a disability was first in family to get bachelor's degree
Woodward’s Jocelyn Fraire has a disability and sought services from DRS to build a life for herself.
Services she received included:
- Training and education
- Counseling and guidance
- Job Placement
- Information and referral
“Before DRS, I was stuck and not sure what to do next,” Fraire said. “I had just graduated from high school after nine months of chemotherapy. After learning what DRS was and how it is at everyone’s advantage to help to get where a person wants to be in life, I had to send in an application.”
She said she and her parents’ felt relief after learning she qualified for services.
“I got the help and counseling to follow the path that I wanted. My case worker was always just a call away for anything. Thanks to DRS, I was the first generation in my family to graduate with a bachelor’s degree.”
Cooper addresses Noon Lions Club
From DRS News Archives
The Ponca City News
Dated: Aug, 21, 2024
At their Wednesday meeting, the Ponca City Noon Lions were privileged to hear from Jeri Cooper who is a specialist at the Office of the Blind – Tulsa, with the Department of Rehabilitation Services.
Ms. Cooper is herself blind and severely deaf. She was assisted, during her presentation, by Stephanie Hunter who also works for the Department of Rehabilitation Services, helping those that are blind and/or deaf find work.
During Ms. Cooper’s presentation, Ms. Hunter stood next to her giving her environmental information by making signs on Ms. Cooper’s back. If there was laughter, she would lightly scratch. For smiles, she would draw a smile and opposite for frowns. If the audience was nodding in agreement, Ms. Hunter would move her hand up and down and then she would move her hand side to side for heads shaking in disagreement. This is just one of the many ways information can be provided to those who are unable to see or hear. They rely heavily on their remaining senses.
Ms. Cooper shared her life story with the Lions. At birth, 58 years ago, the doctors told her mother that Jeri would not develop, mentally, past the age of 5.
They pushed her mother to put Jeri in an institution. However, her mother refused. She was a woman of strong faith, and she prayed constantly and took Jeri home to care for her by herself. When Jeri was 12, doctors told her mom that Jeri was blind and had severe hearing loss. She attended the School for the Blind and now has hearing aids that help her ability to hear. In our society, drunks are more accepted than those who are blind. Jeri went through a stage of drinking, drugs, etc.
She eventually got herself together and went to college and after graduating she went to work for the Department of Rehabilitation Services. Jeri has gained a lot of knowledge in her life (signing, reading braille, etc.) and still continues to learn as exemplified by the techniques being used, during the presentation, by Sharon.
Understanding that Lions everywhere have answered the call, made by Helen Keller, to be Knights of the Blind, Jeri shared that for her, her mother was her Ann Sullivan (Helen Keller’s teacher).
Her mother shared her solid, unwavering Christian faith with Jeri and encouraged her to do things herself and “be the best she could be!”
Jeri also gave out a tip sheet on how to act when interacting with those who have a dual sensory loss. This sheet included things like touching the person lightly before speaking to them, do not shout, speak at a normal rate and a normal volume, do not emphasize or exaggerate your speech aa well as many more.
Lion President Kelly Campbell presided over the lunch meeting at the Ponca City Country Club.
Laugh it up and be surprised
Riddle me this: One foot in front of the other
This edition's question:
What is harder to catch the faster you run?
The answer:
???
Send us your answer
Last edition’s question:
What do Alexander the Great and Winnie the Pooh have in common?
The answer:
Their middle names.
Those getting it right included:
- Kristy O’Neal-Nelms
- Anne Ramganesh
- David W. Goff
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