Reed receives DHS Outstanding Consumer of the Year award

Precious Pamela Reed of El Dorado has been named the area’s outstanding Consumer of the Year by the Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Services for the Blind (DSB).

Reed has worked the past two years as a social worker doing discharge planning for patients leaving the hospital at Medical Center of South Arkansas in El Dorado. Prior to this, she was employed for over 30 years as an adult abuse investigator for the DHS Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) and served five counties.

“I feel very humbled to receive this award,” Reed said. “It is such an honor.”

She was selected from an area that includes Ouachita, Union, Columbia, Ashley, Calhoun, Chicot and

Bradley counties.

DSB Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Jessie Foster nominated Reed for the achievement award because of her determination to overcome adversity and succeed at work.

Reed said she not only was starting to have vision problems when she worked at DAAS, but also “I had two pulmonary embolisms while driving the counties I worked.” Her doctor advised her to change jobs, so she found work at the Medical Center of South Arkansas.

Her vision later worsened and Reed said she was struggling to read, use her computer to chart medical records and perform other duties. After being diagnosed with severe cataracts in both eyes and dry eye syndrome, Reed said she requested DSB assistance in order to remain employed. Her insurance didn’t cover eye care, and as a single mother raising three daughters, she couldn’t afford surgery. She said she’s thankful that DSB paid for her cataract surgeries and lens implants.

“I still struggle with my eyes,” Reed said. More recently she had YAG eye surgery to remove scar tissue behind her lens implant and is waiting for spots in her vision to clear up.

“I’m going to work as long as God will let me,” Reed said. “I’ve worked my entire life. I’ve been working since I was 14 years old.”

The award presentation was made at the evening meeting of the El Dorado Lions Club on Thursday in the Community Meeting Room of Simmons First Bank.

Her employers were recognized by DSB as outstanding business partners for their commitment to promoting the employment of persons with vision impairment.

Reed has a bachelor’s degree in social work from Southern Arkansas University and a social work license.

Reed used to enjoy volunteer work and gardening, but as new grandmother, she now focuses on her two grandsons and a granddaughter. She loves animals and has a rescue dog and a cat inherited from one of her daughters. She is a former member of the United Cerebral Palsy Board of Union County and the past president of the Arkansas State Employees Association in Union County.

This is the 10th year that DSB has given Consumer of the Year awards to recognize individuals who have managed their rehabilitation plans, gained marketable skills, secured good jobs and become role models for others. An overall state winner will be selected at the end of the year.

DSB provides vocational rehabilitation services to adults who are blind or severely visually impaired and whose goal is successful employment. The division also serves youth and older blind individuals. For information about DSB’s programs and services, visit humanservices. arkansas.gov/dsb/Pages/default.aspx or call 1-800960-9270, 501-682-5463 or deaf relay 711.