Certified Medical Assistant, St. Marys Medical Center
Allen has epilepsy, and his daily challenges with managing his condition had begun to have a negative impact on his grades. Before he connected with the WV DRS, he confided, a lot of people had already written him off.
“It made everybody think, ‘He’s got this condition, he’s on a lot of medication, what do you expect?’” Allen said.
The WV DRS offered Allen valuable support, connecting him with resources he hadn’t known were available. For example, he learned he was eligible for extensions on tests, which greatly improved his success at school.
“I probably would not have passed my SATs if it were not for the DRS,” he said. “They helped me get back, or even above, the skill level that was required of me when I thought I was a goner. I thought I would be lost behind.”
A graduate of Phlebotomy Plus Training Center in Ashland, Kentucky, Allen now works as a certified medical assistant (CMA) in the Electrophysiology Clinic at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Huntington.
“I describe myself as a hardworking Christian person. I’m easy to please–I don’t typically want for very much. I really just want to make it day by day with what I’ve got.”
Teresa Swecker, WV DRS district manager in Huntington, praised Allen’s work ethic.
“Cole has great determination. He brings respect, caring and empathy every day to work,” Swecker said.
A native of Wayne, Allen dedicates his free time to various hobbies. He is currently restoring a 1978 Ford F-150, a gift from his grandfather. Additionally, he is learning to play the guitar and participates in family jam sessions, performing bluegrass, country and gospel music.
He resides with his parents while he saves money to purchase land for building a house, and perhaps later, a new car.
As for career goals, Allen is working his way up to becoming an EKG Tech.
“The sky is the limit for him. He’s already overcome several obstacles that his disability caused him,” Swecker said. “And he continues to want to learn, so we expect he’ll do great things.”
Program Summary:
Cole Allen: Overcoming Challenges, Building a Future
When Cole Allen first connected with the West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services (WV DRS), he was struggling in school due to epilepsy. Managing his condition and the side effects of medication made it difficult to keep up with academics, and many people around him assumed his opportunities would always be limited.
“It made everybody think, ‘He’s got this condition, he’s on a lot of medication, what do you expect?’” Allen recalled. “I thought I was a goner. I thought I would be lost behind.”
Through WV DRS, Allen discovered resources and accommodations that changed his trajectory. For example, he learned he qualified for extended test times, which helped him succeed on exams like the SAT. “I probably would not have passed my SATs if it were not for the DRS,” he said. “They helped me get back, or even above, the skill level required of me.”
With renewed confidence, Allen pursued training at Phlebotomy Plus Training Center in Ashland, Kentucky, and today works as a Certified Medical Assistant at the Electrophysiology Clinic at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Huntington. Colleagues praise his determination, respect, and empathy. “Cole has great determination,” said Teresa Swecker, WV DRS district manager. “He continues to want to learn, so we expect he’ll do great things.”
Outside of work, Allen embraces his passions. He is restoring a 1978 Ford F-150 from his grandfather, learning guitar, and enjoying family jam sessions of bluegrass, country, and gospel. He lives with his parents as he saves to buy land for a future home and ultimately hopes to advance to an EKG Tech role.
“I’m a hardworking Christian person,” Allen said. “The sky is the limit.”