Christopher Dodge is a quiet young man with autistic tendencies who's profoundly deaf and communicates in American Sign Language. But he has an extraordinary talent. While in an employment training program at the Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans Administration Medical Center (VAMC) in Wade Park, it was accidentally discovered that Chris has the unusual ability to arrange cards with four-digit numbers or names on them, in order, with incredible speed and accuracy.

Mary Earley, program coordinator at LEAP (Linking Employment, Abilities and Potential), began working with Chris in 2003, when he started attending group sessions of Job Link, a United Way-funded program of LEAP. "Christopher tuned in to everything that was going on," Mary recalls, "but didn't contribute much to the conversation in the beginning."

Chris is a man of few words, but this 20-year-old is a huge Cleveland Indians fan and loves to ride on RTA buses and rapid transit. In fact, when his parents take him downtown to see the Indians play at Jacobs Field, he always persuades them to go on the rapid transit instead of driving their car. Chris also loves computer puzzles and other games, and works out on exercise equipment at home to keep in shape.

Unusual Aptitude
Chris was placed in his first summer work and training experience through LEAP's Job Link program in 2003, cleaning tables in the cafeteria at the Cleveland VAMC. He didn't care what job he did, he was just thrilled to be working. It was during that time that his remarkable gift for sorting numbers, letters and names was revealed.

Mary talked with Homell Calhoun, the Medical Records Department supervisor at the Cleveland VAMC, who agreed to let Chris train in his department the following summer. Homell quickly realized that not only could Chris sort files in order by the last four digits of Social Security numbers, but was automatically arranging them in alphabetical order at the same time. He was doing in a single step a task that was normally a three-step process!

When Christopher graduated from South High School in 2005, a Job Link employment specialist began to search for a part-time job placement for the young man. Chris couldn't interview due to his communication barriers, but his resume was sent to various employers. During that period, every time Chris met with Mary, all he talked about was "the VA." In February this year, Chris was placed in the Cleveland VAMC Medical Records Department for a temporary Community Based Work Assessment. With the assistance of a LEAP job coach and Homell's guidance, Chris expanded his knowledge of various tasks and learned to find his way around the facility independently.

Chris now volunteers at the hospital sorting hundreds of medical files coded with a complex alphanumeric system. His singular talent to remember and quickly sort numbers and names impresses his supervisor and coworkers alike. The ability makes him a remarkably productive worker, organizing the numerous files processed at this large medical facility. Without the help of LEAP and United Way, it's possible that his talent would not have been discovered.

"Chris is like a calculator," says Homell. "His abilities are amazing. He'll surprise you with the volume of work he can perform and how quickly he learns to do new things. Chris is more accurate than some machines. And he's such a good kid too."

Mary Earley agrees with Calhoun. "Chris always comes in to work at the VA on his assigned days -- he's very task-driven, and enjoys working there. He's a perfect person to employ, especially where the need for confidentiality is important."

During the Work Assessment tryout, Chris has logged over 300 hours as a volunteer in the VA Medical Records Department. He continues to learn and grow with Homell's guidance. Christopher's parents are committed to his desire to volunteer at the VAMC until he finds a part-time job, and they provide for his transportation to and from the medical center.

Help Wanted
With the upcoming computerization of VA medical records, the hospital is unable to hire Chris, but the LEAP Job Link staff is hopeful that a potential employer in the community can use his amazing abilities and willingness to work. If you're looking for the hard-working, strong, silent type who's good with numbers, here's your man.

The LEAP (Linking Employment, Abilities and Potential) Job Link program assists youths with disabilities to make a successful transition from school to work. For information, call 216-696-2716 or visit leapinfo.org.