SEATAC, Wash. -- For years, a 33-year-old Lakewood man has had the door slammed in his face from potential employers. Living with cerebral palsy, it hasn't been easy for him to get a job. But the training he received from Tacoma Goodwill has now earned him a job at Sea-Tac Airport – and lots of praise from the community.
Mike Bulling takes out the garbage and picks up the trash-- and does with lightening speed.
“I love pushing the extra mile,” said Mike.
It's clear Mike is no ordinary worker at Sea-Tac Airport.
“He's here every day on time, gets the job done. Every employer should have 10 Michael Bullings,” said Bob Kendrick, Capitol Building Maintenance.
It’s even more impressive when you consider what he's been through. Born three months premature with an umbilical cord wrapped around his neck and weighing only 1 pound, 5 ounces, Mike has faced challenges all his life - a learning disability and struggles with motor skills.
“Some people may call it a disability. I call it advantage,” said Mike.
Even with his disability, Mike's boss says he was more qualified than 90 percent of the applicants that walk through his door. And that's all because of what Mike learned through the Goodwill program.
Tacoma Goodwill's Supported Employment Program helps people with disabilities learn crucial job skills.
“Just help giving them the skills that they need whether that be soft skills, interview skills, work readiness skills, anything it takes to get them connected to the job,” said Wendy Martindale, Tacoma Goodwill.
“Goodwill gave me the opportunity and I took the ball and I ran with it,” said Mike.
And run he did - right to the office of Bob Kendrick, insisting that he be hired.
“I told them we didn't have any jobs, and he was persistent,” said Kendrick.
His inspirational story has earned him the title of Tacoma Goodwill Graduate of the Year and a standing ovation from the Port of Seattle commissioners.
“My mother always says I can do anything I can put my mind to, and she's right,” said Mike.
And every day, Mike continues proving everyone wrong.
“He's inspirational in many ways. I think you're lucky if you can meet someone in your lifetime that's going to inspire you,” said Kendrick.
This year, Tacoma Goodwill Industries will help more than 9,000 people with education, job training and placement.
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