Peter Reid
Peter Reid was on top of the world in his first year as a head football coach when everything changed. A car accident in 1994 left him with a traumatic brain injury and a long recovery, but he didn't let it keep him from going back to work. After facing some challenges to find the right fit, Reid found what he was looking for in a role with VersAbility, an AbilityOne® authorized provider. Doing physical labor is not something everyone wants to do, but it's exactly what Reid wants to do. Now, he takes pride in his new role that helps support the U.S. military and advocates for other people with disabilities including his son.
At the height of Peter Reid's football career, his life took a major turn when a car accident left him with a traumatic brain injury. Reid went from getting physical on the field to learning how to do physical things again. While many aspects of his life changed, at least one thing remains the same. He is doing something he loves and making sure others have the chance to do that too.
In college, Reid was named an All-American football player. During his fifth year of college, he wasn't quite sure what he was going to do next. Then, he got a phone call from a high school offering him a job as a teacher and head football coach.
"Of course, I immediately accepted," Reid says.
His first year was incredible. The administration supported him. He says his students were great, and the football team was doing well.
"At the end of the year, we were eight and two and I was on top of the world," Reid says.
The rest of that year became a blur. On January 31, 1994, Reid got into a car accident right in front of the school. He says the head of the school was there as his car was still rolling and helped save his life.
"I got taken to the hospital and it’s been a 30-year recovery since then," Reid says.
During his recovery, Reid tried to go back to work. Reid's wife, Nikki, says he bounced from one job to another. It was challenging to find the right fit. He tried going back to the high school and then, tried working for his father's business. Then, when his dad got sick, Reid says he couldn't take over the business. Reid was back to square one. He did not know what he was going to do next. That’s when a family friend referred Reid to VersAbility, an AbilityOne® authorized provider, and Nikki encouraged him to look into it.
"I went to VersAbility, took a look at what was available, and tried to find the most physical job I could find. I found it in grounds maintenance," Reid says.
Reid took a position as a grounds worker for an AbilityOne contract in Virginia. Reid works with different power tools and vehicles in all types of weather conditions. VersAbility Contract Manager Rhonda Walton says this role requires a lot of manpower. That is why Reid loves it.
"I like to do a job that few other people want to do," Reid says. "Doing physical labor is not something everyone wants to do. I like it. Swinging a weed eater is like swinging a hammer."
Walton says Reid has been a hard worker since day one. He takes a lot of pride in the work they do and wants it to reflect what the military does for the United States.
"I call us the invisible workforce. We do work, hard work that other people can just see and not see who did it… As they [military personnel] support us with their efforts, we support them with our efforts. We want them to feel proud of where they work."
Nikki says this job gave Reid a boost in his self-esteem, because he is making a difference and helping financially. This role has also given Reid a similar opportunity he once had with his dad. Reid's son, who has mid-grade autism, is also working with VersAbility.
"My father was a great model. He led by example which is what I try to do," Reid said.
He may not have been able to take over his father’s business, but Reid says he has been able to take some of the experiences he had with his father to help guide his son. Nikki says sometimes, they even butt heads in the same way, but it's been really great for both of them.
"I've seen their relationship kind of develop and grow in a way that it hadn't before," Nikki says.
Nikki says before this job, her son struggled with interviews and interpersonal connection. She says she was worried how well he would tolerate the outside world, but VersAbility gave him a chance and now, he is thriving. Reid says the best thing anyone can do is give someone with a disability a chance.
"People with disabilities, they can do anything with proper training, proper motivations, and proper tolerance."
Reid is also using his experience to advocate for people with disabilities. In September 2024, Reid attended SourceAmerica's Grassroots Advocacy Conference and shared his story with policymakers, nonprofit leaders, and other employees to advocate for more opportunities for people with disabilities.
