Personal Journeys: The barista

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Personal Journeys: The barista

Photos: One step at a time, Omar Troy establishes his independence, starting with his job at Cafe Blends, where all the baristas are on the autism spectrum.

Omar Troy's counselor at Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency, which helps secure employment for people with disabilities, recommended he apply for a job at Cafe Blends at Nalley Lexus-Galleria. He mastered the job in just a few weeks.

Omar chats with customer Dwight Lee at Cafe Blends, a cafe that provides jobs for people on the autism spectrum, at Nalley Lexus Smyrna. The cafe serves complimentary coffees and other treats for customers of the car dealership.

After catching a bus near his Stone Mountain home, Omar runs to catch his MARTA train at the Indian Creek Station to continue the second leg of his two-hour journey to work.

Omar travels two hours on public transportation to get from his home in Stone Mountain to his job in Smyrna. He often arrives 45 minutes early.

Omar, now 20, gets a ribbing from his father, Garry, and sisters, Devyne (in hat), 14, and Eryn, 16, after winning a video game. "We are very proud of Omar," said his father. "I always told Omar if you believe in yourself, the sky is the limit."

Omar's mother, Mary, cooks fried chicken, Omar's favorite dish, for Sunday dinner. His parents are teaching him to cook for himself.

Omar sketches a self-portrait in pencil while riding a MARTA train to work. He hopes to work one day as a cartoonist.

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Omar Troy's counselor at Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency, which helps secure employment for people with disabilities, recommended he apply for a job at Cafe Blends at Nalley Lexus-Galleria. He mastered the job in just a few weeks.

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