NDEAM Profile: Kris Cordero, Licensed Professional Counselor, Quadriplegic

For National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we profiled Kris Cordero, a licensed professional counselor, from Oklahoma.

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?

Kris Cordero

Age?

40

Where Do You Live?

Tulsa, Oklahoma

How and When Were You Injured?

“January 15, 2000, I was wrestling in a finals match as a high school student, and landed with my opponent on my neck, shattering my neck. C5, C6, incomplete quadriplegic, Asia a.”

Were You Employed Pre-Injury?

“I worked multiple jobs starting when I was about age 10 from Mowing lawns, stocker at a farm and ranch store, and an ice cream store. after my injury when I was 16 I did not continue those specific vocations due to my injury.”

What is Your Current Job and What Do You Do?

“After completing a bachelors, masters degree, and rigorous credentialing supervision process, I work as a licensed professional counselor. I’ve been roughly working in the mental health field since 2014.” “I work as an integrated team manager in a supervisory role, leading a treatment team, providing mental health services in Northeast Oklahoma.

This can be anywhere from diagnosing, creating treatment plans, and at times crisis interventions. Many times I can see anywhere from 8–15 patients a day working to change and improve lives. I work for GRAND Mental Health which is an amazing company, leading in mental health services nationwide.”

How Did You Find Your Job?

“After graduating from my masters program, I tried a variation of clinical practices, including private practices and nonprofit. Every job was a steppingstone leading me to the position that I am currently in.”

How Long Did You Search for Your Current Job?

“It wasn’t long, and if I remember correctly after putting in my application, a representative responded, asking for an interview.”

Please Name Any Programs That Supported You Finding or Maintaining Your Current Job:

“For my bachelors program vocational rehab provided support and financial assistance. Whenever I completed my masters program, this was all done independently.”

What Kind of Disability Accommodations, If Any, Have You Requested and Received from Your Employer?

“My employer has been incredible, and they have went above and beyond to accommodate my disability. They provided me with a MacBook Pro, M1, iPad Pro, and an iPhone. All of these have facial recognition, and I’ve been able to utilize the accessibility features to lead as a therapist.”

Do You Have Any Tips or Tricks to Share on Finding a Job?

“Absolutely. I felt like once I was able to find something I was passionate about, I wasn’t going to let a spinal cord injury stop me. Start with identifying something that you are absolutely passionate about. This can be accomplished through various ways such as taking specific examinations narrowing down vocations. Department of rehabilitation services is a great start with this. Some considered inventories that might be of assistance include the Strongs interest, inventory, and the Kuder general interest in inventory.”

Do You Have Any Tips or Tricks to Share on Maintaining Employment for the Long-Term?

“Whenever considering employment as a spinal cord, injured individual, some things to consider our medical issues which could leave us on bedrest for a substantial amount of time. I chose a job, where not only could I be in the office setting, but I could also work telehealth. Should I experience medical issues. During the course of my employment I did develop years ago a pressure wound that required extended bedrest.

I was able to continue working while also providing treatment and healing up from a pressure wound. I kept this in mind as I’ve always wanted to have a family and to be able to provide even if I had health complications. I think it’s important to keep in mind that no matter what you choose as a profession, think about having a failsafe plan, should medical issues arise.”

If You Could Go Back in Time, What Advice Would You Give Yourself Before Pursuing Your Job or Career Path?

“Go bigger. Dream bigger. I wanted to go to med school, but post injury, irrational, thinking I did not pursue this. Make every second count, be intentional, there is no time wasted.”

Is There Anything Else You’d Like to Add About Your Job Search or Employment Experience?

“You can do more than what you ever think post injury. The biggest thing that you have to do is start. If there is psychological pain that you need to heal from make that a priority post injury before you start. Even though catastrophic injuries cannot be changed the way that you pursue life and a future can.”

— Follow Kris on IG at @kriscorderoofficial
— Follow Kris on FB at facebook.com/kriscordero
— Join Kris’ SCI FB group at facebook.com/groups/conqueringsci