Diane Spohn  
Threshold/ Berks Personnel Network

Diane was born with a Congenital Heart Defect. For the first six months after her birth, she displayed no outward signs of a heart problem. However, when she was 7 months old and starting to walk around holding on to furniture, she began showing signs of shortness of breath. Cardiologists at Reading and Philadelphia diagnosed her condition as a small ventricular septal defect, but this later proved to be an incorrect diagnosis. Between the ages of 8 months and 15 months, Diane’s physical condition gradually deteriorated. She failed to gain weight, she had “blue spells”, she tired easily, and her progress in talking and walking slowed down. By 16 months, Diane went to Hershey Medical Center for a heart cauterization. During the preparation for this procedure, she went into cardiac arrest. She was resuscitated, but remained unconscious and in very critical condition.

The morning after the arrest, she had closed-heart surgery in order to shunt more blood to her lungs for oxidation. At this time, the doctor diagnosed that Diane had a tetra logy of fallot, a combination of four heart defects. Diane slowly recovered from the surgery, but it became apparent that she has suffered some brain damage and possibly a stroke. She did not respond when spoken to, she was temporarily blind, and could not move her right side. When she retuned home after a few weeks, she was like a newborn and had to re-learn how to sit, crawl and walk.

In 1973, Diane began attending Easter Seals for physical therapy. Her condition from the brain damage was diagnosed as Right Hemi paresis. Diane went on to have 2 additional heart surgeries and 2 catheritazations during her youth, and continued physical therapy through age 14. Diane attended a class for students with learning disabilities at Reading High School and graduated in 1991. Upon graduation, Diane secured employment with Threshold in the Precision Micrographics Divisions, scanning documents to put onto microfilm. In this position, Diane worked independently at her work station, with little opportunity for social interaction. When operations were slowing down at Precision Micrographics. She was offered a position as a Photo License Technician at the Reading Photo Center.

Diane accepted the position, knowing that this new position would be a challenge with a focus on customer service. She has now been employed for 2 years and has blossomed into an excellent Photo Tech. She has taken ownership of her position, independently setting goals for improving her work pace, substitution for co-workers as needed, and taking a lead at the center. She provides excellent customer service, and interacts well with her coworkers and PennDOT staff. Her family has been very supportive of Diane, providing her transportation to and from work. While not working, Diane enjoys reading watching movies, and going out to eat with her parents.