Amy Casarella shines behind the counter at the Paoli Hospital cafeteria. Before that, she had twenty years of waitressing experience when she suffered a hemorrhagic stroke in January of 2020, writes Matteo Iadonisi for 6ABC.  

The mother of three also suffered from a seizure last September and was treated at Paoli. Frustrated that she may not be able to find work again, Project SEARCH at Bryn Mawr Rehab served as a beacon of hope.  

She enrolled in a program that helps people with cognitive or physical disabilities reach their goals through three twelve-week internships.  

Casarella now works as a cashier in the cafeteria of the hospital that treated her. She will be one of 25 graduates who have found a job getting recognized by the program. Casarella was chosen to be the commencement speaker for this ceremony.

“The very last shout-out will be to my family,” she said. “They never gave up on me. They knew I would get better and work again. You know, I found a purpose.” 

Read more about Casarella’s rehabilitative journey to self-employment in 6ABC.  

Pa. stroke survivor returns to work as hospital cafeteria cashier