David Fazio exudes warmth, tenacity and energetic-qualities that have propelled him forward after sustaining a brain injury at 13. He then suffered  a stroke that paralyzed him on his left side. David had to learn to walk and talk all over again.  

Never one to be held back, David got the idea for a start-up company, he called Helix Opportunity. It provides business development and consulting services to help businesses be more inclusive to people with disabilities. When he asked the Department of Rehabilitation to help him make his business plan a reality, DOR turned him down. He kept trying for nearly a decade – finally contacting Disability Rights California (DRC). DRC negotiated with the department to help with extensive start-up costs, including computer equipment, office essentials, training and assistive technology. Now David’s dream is on its way to becoming a successful reality that will help many others realize their dreams, too.  DRC’s board of Directors gave David it’s client recognition award.