After 11 years of hope and heartache and three miscarried babies, Stacie Wylie cried tears of joy when she saw her son’s heartbeat on the ultrasound monitor. But 14 weeks into her pregnancy, a nurse called her in tears. “I immediately thought the worst, ‘He’s stillborn,’” said Stacie.

Her fears of worse news turned to relief when she heard the nurse say, “I’m so sorry to tell you, but there is a strong likelihood your son has Down syndrome.” Stacie thought, “He’s breathing?! He’s alive! Down syndrome? Okay, we’ll figure that out.”

“From that call on, I immediately began researching Down syndrome and contacted local organizations that provided educational resources and support,” said Stacie, a Corporate Responsibility analyst. “I have met the most amazing tribe of parents and the most loving, non-judgmental children and adults you could ever imagine.”

Once a stranger to stimming, sensory meltdowns and hypertonia, Stacie quickly jumped into a world with speech therapists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, ENTs, cardiologists and orthotic specialists. Once someone who might roll her eyes if a child had a “temper tantrum” at the grocery store, she became someone to give a compassionate eye to a mom and wonder if the child was overwhelmed by the lights and sounds in the store.

New Perspectives at Work

These new perspectives and learnings found their way into Stacie’s role at State Farm^®. In her six years in leadership, she has coached and mentored a variety of associates, working with individuals with dyslexia, Turrets syndrome, anxiety, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Autism.

“Each of these individuals struggled in their own way to acclimate to State Farm’s culture and/or work expectations. Outside of my parenting experience, I realized I had no formal training to help individuals with cognitive differences succeed in the workplace, so I started looking for resources,” she said.

She decided to do formal training by first completing her Chartered Special Needs Consultant (ChSNC) designation. She completed an introductory course about disabilities and learned techniques to help families prepare for financial security.

“This was by far my favorite designation and further piqued my interest in working with the special needs community.”

She also joined the Advocacy for Disabilities and Education (ADE) Employee Resource Group. ADE provides informational classes and organizes events to raise awareness about different disabilities.

But she still wanted to learn more. In 2017, State Farm started the Community College Tuition Program that offers an array of certificates and associate’s degrees with no out-of-pocket cost to State Farm employees. Stacie learned about a Developmental Disabilities Specialist Certificate program offered at Glendale Community College.

“This certificate wasn’t on the approved degrees list, but I knew it would help me grow in my career and personal life, so I submitted a business case, and it was approved. After completing the course, I brought my learnings to the workplace. For example, when working with individuals on the Autism spectrum, I am more mindful not to change our one-on-one schedules, and I use very literal language to avoid confusion.”

Pursuing education while working full time and raising her son was not easy, but it was worth it.

“The sacrifice of time and sleep has made me a better and more informed parent, community member and leader. I am so grateful to work for a company like State Farm that invests in its employees and helps people of all abilities find meaningful employment.”

Let’s explain.

Dave is a life-long resident of Pequannock Township, New Jersey.

“It’s the kind of small town where everybody knows everybody else,” Dave said. “People look out for each other here.”

Among the many friends he’s made over the years are Gayle and George Douglas and their five children.

“Gayle’s brother was my best friend growing up. I feel like I’ve been a part of that family my whole life,” he explained.

The youngest member of the Douglas family is Colby, a 21-year-old man with Down syndrome. Colby contracted COVID-19 and was admitted to the hospital on April 2. He’d stay for the next 135 days. From the moment he was admitted, Colby’s situation was precarious. He spent the first 70 days on a ventilator. When he finally regained a bit of strength, doctors performed a tracheotomy. Then, slowly but surely, Colby started to heal.

Dave kept up with Colby’s situation, checking in on him and the family often. Dave had also recently been hospitalized with COVID.

“I was only in for three days and I was begging to come home,” Dave recalled. “I can’t imagine what he was going through in there.”

When Dave learned Colby was able to come home, he was overjoyed. He also got an idea.

“Him coming home after all this time was a big deal,” Dave said. “So I figured, ‘Why not try and do something special?'”

Everybody Loves a Parade

In addition to being a claims specialist, Dave’s also a member of the Town Council. When he found out Colby would be coming home on August 13, he made a few calls.

“One thing led to another and the next thing you know, we had quite a thing going,” Dave said.

The “thing” Dave got going was nothing less than a full-blown parade, complete with police car escorts, ambulances, limousines, and fire trucks flashing their lights. And, a crowd of close to 2,000 well-wishers lined the streets to welcome Colby home.

Local TV covered it, and Colby’s story went nation-wide via a TODAY Show interview.

“It was really a great day for the town and for Colby and his family,” Dave said.

That Dave orchestrated such a tremendous outpouring of generosity wasn’t surprising to those who know him.

“That’s pretty much the kind of guy he is,” said his manager, Roger Stites. “He’s always showing that Good Neighbor attitude in everything he does.”

Dave credits State Farm for supporting employees’ charitable efforts. And, he is particularly grateful for the way the company deals with employees impacted by COVID.

When he got out of the hospital, he was out of commission for about 15 days. He was then placed on paid administrative leave while he recuperated. A gesture Dave appreciated greatly.

“State Farm didn’t have to do that, but they did,” Dave said. “That’s the kind of place this is.”

The Kind of Place This Is

State Farm is “the kind of place” where helping others - being a Good Neighbor - is important. It’s recognized and rewarded.

“Here at State Farm we encourage our employees to carry the Good Neighbor Spirit out into their communities as part of our 100 for Good initiative. Dave and his work in the community, and with this parade, is a great example of how employees use that benefit to contribute and make a difference,” said Senior Vice President Annette Martinez. “We could not be prouder.”

Dave has recorded 100 Acts of Good. That earned him an extra paid day to volunteer. Not surprisingly, Dave used that extra day to volunteer at Colby’s parade.

“A customer called my office and asked if I had any pull with the State Farm Arena in Atlanta,” Teresa chuckles,” to which I replied ‘Uh, no, not at all.’”

The customer is the founder of the Dei Gratia International Training Center in Spalding County, Ga. The center helps international riders come to the U.S. to compete in National Barrel Horse Association racing competitions.

They had recently hosted Filip, their first rider from Slovakia and their first rider with Down syndrome. He started riding horses 10 years ago as therapy. Filip didn’t travel with his own horse, so trainers at the center provided horses for him to choose from to ride in the competition.

“Filip has won numerous awards and medals in barrel racing,” Teresa says of the 20-year old. “He won the gold and silver medals in the Special Olympic Games in Los Angeles, Calif., in 2015, and in 2017 he won the Handicap Barrel Race World Championship.”

Filip came to the U.S. with his father and a film crew from a program called “V Siedmom Nebi,” which translates to “Seventh Heaven.” It’s a program that grants wishes to those with serious illnesses or physical challenges.

Besides riding in the barrel racing competition, one of Filip’s wishes was to go to an Atlanta Hawks basketball game.

“The program sponsor had purchased tickets to a Hawks game, but something got lost in translation,” explains the 30-year agent from Griffin, Ga. “They purchased the tickets for the wrong night and missed the game. He was only in the country about a week and this was the last thing on his wish list.”

That’s where Teresa came in.

“The customer, who had helped them with the barrel competition, asked if I would call State Farm Arena, explain the mistake and have the group’s tickets changed,” she says. “I didn’t have any way to do that, so I decided I would buy them tickets to the next home game.”

While attempting to help Filip and his group get tickets, Teresa spoke with Terrell, an associate at the arena. She told him about Filip and the special situation.

“He must have contacted someone at the facility who was associated with the Hawks because when Filip and the group arrived at the arena, they were treated to a meet and greet with current and former players, including Vince Carter and Dominique Wilkins.”

Filip had quite an ending to his Seventh Heaven trip to the U.S.

Teresa is a proponent for those who have physical or mental challenges.

“My husband was the executive director of the Griffin Area Resources Center for 22 years,” adds Teresa. “The center provides people with mental health challenges vocational training, employment, residential services and family outreach services.

“I never got to meet Filip, but I’m glad I could help him check off the final wish on his list.”