Students

Success Stories

Billy Gooch

Accidents happen. And for many, industrial accidents are unfortunately often  the most serious kind of accidents, which intro-duce quality of life issues. Employed as an electrician, Billy Gooch overused his arms and hands while installing the public address sound system at the Beverly- Vermont Metro Subway station. A year later while driving home from physical therapy, Billy's car was rear ended compounding his prior injuries with involvement to his neck. A permanent disability rating resulted in significant work restrictions for Billy, which essentially amounts to a 50% loss of his pre-injury capacity for every function in his upper extremities.

Billy understood he couldn't return to physical labor. With his MFA in Theatre to back him up he began auditioning. His break came by way of a national commercial for XM Satellite Radio. Billy also appeared in the Fox sitcom "Oliver Beene," and the Peter Gabriel music video "The Barry Williams Show" directed by Sean Penn.

With the confidence which came from pursuing his dreams Billy decided he could find a more stable job outside of show business. With help from the California Department of Rehabilitation, Billy began morning classes with Zephyr-TEC on how to command and control a computer by voice with speech recognition software. In the afternoons Billy attended Project New Hope's computer lab, which had been introduced to him by Terry Wetzel, Specialist for the Los Angeles Unified School District, Disability Support Program.

The computer lab experience was not only valuable for completing assignments; it also afforded Billy the opportunity to interact with the other students, who noticed his interest in computers. Just like when he was a student aide in his high school media center, Billy began showing the computer lab students how to use the equipment. Upon completion of his training Billy was enrolled in the Workability II program, which led to an offer for employment with LAUSD.

He was first employed as a clerk for the district, and then once the preliminary credential cleared, Billy was given his first teaching assignment at the computer lab next door to Project New Hope. This was immediately followed by a second teaching assignment. Billy continues both assignments teaching a total of 15 hours per week.  The branch locations are Lanterman Regional Center and Exceptional Children's Foundation. Additionally Billy substitutes when asked and is attending UCLA extension to clear his credential.

To see the effort and learning results our students realize is an inspiration for Billy, and he considers it a privilege teaching adults with disabilities.