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Every day in October, we are sharing employment stories of people with spinal cord injuries to celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Meet Brent Shedd, a former school special needs bus driver and newly injured quadriplegic from South Carolina, who pivoted and went on to start his own business working as an advertising consultant post-injury.
In the comments, please share if you are ❤ working post spinal cord injury, 💚when you started, and 💙 what you love most about your job 👍
Name?
Brent Shedd
Age?
32 years old
Where Do You Live?
Westminster, SC
How and when you were injured, and level of injury?
“Hiking accident in February 2022 caused an infection in C7 area of my spine. I was in pain for weeks not knowing what was happening until May 14 I went full Quad.”
Were you employed before your injury, and if so, what did you do and for how long?
“Special Needs School Bus Driver for the School District of Oconee County.”
Tell us about your new / current job! When did you start?
I am Owner & Advertising Consultant at The Arrow Group 864. The business was founded on June 9, 2023.
Can you give a description of your job and share who your employer is?
“My business partner Rachel and I have small businesses in mind. We work with those businesses to build an online presence. Websites and Social Media creation and Maintenance is our specialty. However, we also offer small jobs as in basic printing services for out city, proof reading papers as I was pursuing a degree in English back in 2010. We hope to add Notary Public and other services very soon and grow our own business.”
How did you find your current job?
“I knew I was great with Marketing & Advertising through online presence as I assisted several businesses and churches over the years and they saw increased clientele.”
How long did you search for your current job?
“I wanted to pursue this avenue years ago, but it wasn’t until May when Rachel and I sat down over lunch and we both mentioned it was something we both enjoyed this sort of thing.”
Please name and describe any programs that have supported your finding or maintaining your current job, such as your state’s Vocational Rehab Department.
“A few clients that wouldn’t mind me mentioning their name are:
Iron Pig BBQ
First Chapter Bookshop
Blessed Heart Boutique (coming soon)
and more…
They have all supported me by using my services.”
Do you have any tips or tricks to share on finding a job?
“If you can’t find a way to work a job outside in the world due to therapies, doctor’s appointments, etc… start your own business. It’ll keep your mind working and keep yourself busy!”
If you could go back in time, what advice would you give yourself before pursuing your job or career path?
“I should have started sooner. Even before I was disabled. Even though driving a school bus was my passion and thought to be my calling, I knew I was good at this and could have had a side hustle and built clientele sooner.”
Is there anything else you’d like to add about you job search or employment experience?
“Don’t think. Just do it. Your comfort zone is not where you belong!”
— Follow Brent on IG at https://www.instagram.com/brentleyunleashed/
ideas@spinalpedia.com
