10/13/2026
We would like to introduce you to DC Employee Micheal Petroni, as we continue our celebration of National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
Micheal joined our team in March of 2024, after making a move to Kentucky. If you know Mike, you know one thing-he loves working on cars! Micheal has over 40 years of experience as a mechanic and loves to work on cars even today. However, his diagnosis of Muscular Dystrophy caused him to become a “liability” in eyes of his employer, costing him his job. The condition slowly affected his muscles and limbs and 4 years ago resigned him to the use of a wheelchair for mobility.
“Being stuck in a wheelchair makes it really hard to find a job. There’s so much a person can’t do employment wise without being able to walk or stand”, says Micheal.
Micheal works as a packer on the IFAK packing line, and is an asset to his team. He has great attendance and a clear understanding of the job that needs to be done. Mike is responsible for making sure valuable and necessary items are packed in each IFAK, with 100% quality! It's a serious job, and he does it well. At the end of the day, his struggle with mobility hasn’t quelled his motivation, nor sense of humor though. When asked to tell others a little bit about what he does now, he simply states, “well, I finally landed a government desk job!”
