AbilITy Connection Helps Tragedy Become Triumph

When Michael Gutowski left the Frito-Lay warehouse with his loaded van at 5:30 a.m. on Valentine's Day 1995, he was tired and preoccupied. Heading down Good Hope Road toward the interstate, he was less than fully aware of the huge semi crawling up the hill ahead of him. His foggy brain didn't realize how quickly he was gaining on the truck until he was nearly on top of it. Unable to brake or swerve, he hit the semi head on.

The impact shoved the steering wheel into his abdomen with such force that it came within two inches of his spinal cord. His pelvis and legs were broken. His internal organs suffered massive injury and copious internal bleeding. Amazingly, Michael was still conscious, and his mind was strangely still and focused. "I told myself, 'I believe in God. I'm going to live.'"

The doctors at Doyne (now Froedtert Memorial Lutheran) Hospital Trauma Center were less convinced. In fact, Michael received the last sacraments. "They told me later that I may have been the worst accident victim they'd ever seen at the hospital. Nine out of 10 people injured as I was wouldn't make it," Michael related. The emergency medical team didn't even try to set his bones; they simply tried to patch up his internal organs and stem the bleeding.

Seventy-two hours later, doctors believed he would live. They set his fractures using external fixators – stainless steel clamps screwed into viable bone. These made it impossible for him to do anything but lie flat on his back, and later, to sit in a wheelchair.

Coming Back

Michael spent 28 days on Doyne's Intensive Care Unit and another month at the hospital receiving physical, psychological and occupational therapy. His family and friends visited constantly, but he was eaten up with anger over what had happened. "I was so mad at myself for causing the accident, but therapy helped me get through it," he said. "March 10 was my birthday, and I realized that finally I was just so happy to be alive. I felt reborn, that I was starting all over again."

He couldn't, however, get his old job back as route salesman for Frito-Lay. And although they tried, Frito Lay was unable to find a suitable position for him. It was then that Michael signed up with the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR). His excellent customer service and sales skills pointed to the computer technology field.

He signed up at MATC in the fall of 1996 to begin computer technology training. "I got wonderful support from my DVR counselor and the information technology people at MATC," said Michael. Gradually, he began getting involved in a student group, the Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP), and was elected vice president.

A fellow student put Michael in touch with Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin and Metropolitan Chicago, Inc.’s AbilITy Connection program. Willy Ferguson had been hit by a drunk driver, and his injuries had left him in severe pain. "You'd never have known it to look at him, though," Michael said admiringly. "He was president of AITP and he was so enthusiastic. Knowing that Willy worked despite his pain made me work even harder."

Discovering the AbilITy Connection

Michael was eager to tap into AbilITy Connection. "Once I was accepted in the program, I saw its benefits right away. AbilITy helped with my resume. They hosted seminars and found me a mentor.” Michael credits his mentor, April Calvert of Firstar Bank, with encouraging him to ask questions and providing him with many helpful, real-world answers. She also managed to get him an internship at Firstar as a microcomputer LAN technician.

The Firstar internship was a real turning point for Michael. "I had a real job. I could look at what I was doing and say to myself, 'I know this.' I realized that things would change every day, that life would be a constant learning experience."

The network skills he'd gained at Firstar earned him a summer job at Ocean Spray. Then, in fall, he went back to school. With the confidence he'd gained, his grades improved and he became president of AITP. Michael and Willy continued to tout the benefits of Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin and Metropolitan Chicago, Inc.'s AbilITy Connection, and lots of people at MATC signed up.

In 1998, Lori Grassel became Coordinator of the AbilITy Connection. (Note: The coordinator position is now held by Peggy Dooley.) "Lori is a ball of fire," he said. “You can see the energy and creativity she brings to the organization." Michael worked with Lori to create a relationship between Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin and Metropolitan Chicago, Inc.'s program and MATC and, subsequently, he was awarded AbilITy Connection financial assistance.

Michael was later asked to give a 10-minute speech at Manpower on “What the AbilITy Connection Means to Me.” Lori recalled, "The audience got very emotional. Even managers and CEOs had tears in their eyes when Michael told his story."

Beginning a New Life

That speech at Manpower was the culmination of everything Michael had learned and done since the accident; he now had the knowledge and confidence to work in his new field. After graduating, Michael went to work for a company which ultimately downsized and, unfortunately, Michael lost his position. Soon after, Lori sent out an e-mail to the AbiITty Connection network asking for job referrals for Michael. "Michael was so self-motivated and so organized," said Lori. "He found a new position right away." Michael recently started a new position as computer consultant with TEKsystems of Brookfield.

Michael hasn't forgotten the AbiITty Connection, though it now plays a different role in his life. "I'm keeping my promise to my AbilITy mentor," he said. "I'm mentoring a student of my own.