SCI Superstar: Joseph Barrett

Joseph Barrett has lived quite some time as a quadriplegic. Paralyzed since 1992, he’s had time to spread his wings and find his purpose – helping others with disabilities – and throughout the years he’s transformed himself into an individual that gives back to people with disabilities, and he does this by being a rehabilitation counselor.

A former independent living specialist, he is an advocate for employment policy for people with disabilities in DC, as well as a husband and step-father. Read on for Joseph Barrett’s story.

Why He’s Fearless

When he was only 17 years old, Joe was in a car accident that left him a C5-6 quadriplegic; a diagnosis that’s always tough to swallow (especially as a teen). After high school, Joseph needed some time to heal from his injury until he felt ready to head back to school. 

His career objectives, like so many young adults, weren’t clear when he was injured. Since he was 17 at the time of his injury, Joseph needed time to figure out who he was. He finally decided to enter college in 2009, nearly 16 years post-injury, proving it’s never too late to start your career path.

Joseph attended the University of Maryland, majoring in psychology. And after graduating in 2012, he began working full-time as Independent Living Specialist for The Image Center in the Baltimore County area; a job he held for nearly 2 years.

And impressively, while working as an Independent Living Specialist, Joseph entered the master’s program in vocational rehabilitation counseling at the University of Alabama; a satellite program that allowed him to remain in Baltimore to conduct his practicum and internship, as well as keep his full-time job.

What’s Next?

After graduating with his masters in vocational rehab in April 2015, Joseph has been working as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor for the Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, which he loves. He’s also a certified spinal cord injury peer mentor for the University of Maryland’s Rehabilitation Orthopedic Institute and a volunteer with the US Dept. of Veterans Affairs.

And while studying for his bachelor’s degree, Joseph had a romantic stroke of luck – he reunited with an old female friend from high school and before he knew it, they were talking more than ever before and they fell in love. He proposed within the year and they’ve been married since 2012. Joseph gained an amazing son as well and has enjoyed being a a stepfather.

Joseph Barrett’s story proves it’s never too late to learn a new career field even when you’re paralyzed, and that some amazing life changes can happen as a result.

– Official site for PA Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (where Joseph works)