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>> Leslie: My name is Leslie, and I'm so excited about this program. [Music Playing...]
>> Narrator: Four eager administrative trainees with cognitive disabilities recently stepped
out of their comfort zones and into the lobby of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas
Headquarters.
>> Sophia: I'm here for training and I'm a little nervous and excited.
>> Hillary: Hi, I'm Hillary Hansen and I'm excited to be here today.
>> Narrator: The trainees were part of an intensive job skills program, called The LaunchAbility
Academy at BCBSTX.
>> Mehza: The first day is actually going to be great. I can't wait to see what I
find in store today.
>> Narrator: The Academy is a collaboration with LaunchAbility, a not-for-profit that
empowers North Texans with developmental disabilities. The first week, these trainees hit the ground
running, as part of the Enterprise Implementation and Contract Administration groups.
>> Orilicia: So day two, you guys got a chance to work on some of the meeting minutes and
some typing.
>> Narrator: They had support from two onsite LaunchAbility coaches, who taught creative
lessons, such as an "Eyes Closed" exercise where one trainee guided another through an
obstacle course. At times, they had growing pains.
>> Julia: You get a huge stack of papers like this. What happens?
>> Hillary: I freeze up.
>> Julia: You freeze up. So, what are some things that can help you get through that?
>> Hillary: Probably make a shorter stack.
>> Narrator: But strong bonds made the hard work more fun.
>> Kelvin: It is going great. They have come in and mingled with our staff. They have learned
new skills. The reports they have done for us have been tremendous.
>> Narrator: By the program graduation ceremony, both the trainees and their team members had
changed.
>> LaKisha: You guys thought you were coming here to learn something from us, but we learned
something from you. And what we took away from that was your generosity, your genuineness,
you helpfulness, your willingness to learn.
>> Narrator: Yes to learn, and to take on new challenges, such as giving a speech at
graduation.
>> Leslie: Each day I am now able to complete the file on my own. [Clapping]
>> Narrator: There wasn't a dry eye in the house. With hugs and congratulations for all,
the trainees reflected on just how far they had come.
>> Sophia: I had to open up to people, talk to then, get to know them.
>> Mary: I think it's given her confidence that she can do things that I do, that she
could work in places that I could work and she has a future.
>> Mehza: I think I am prepared. I think I really am, especially for an office setting.
>> Shubnam: My daughter, who I was told by a first physician that she would never read,
and to see her today give that speech, and for Blue Cross and Blue Shield to tap into
her potential, and bring her to where she is today, it was just unbelievable.
>> Narrator: This was the fourth group hosted by BCBSTX. The program lasts five weeks, but
the trainee's new confidence... well, that'll last... a lifetime.
[Music Ends...]