America's Heroes at Work Success Story

As an Army intelligence analyst focusing on counterterrorism, Vance Roper traveled abroad extensively during his six-year enlistment.  His visits overseas were dangerous, stressful and fulfilling.  During one of his deployments, Roper was caught in an explosion that left him unconscious for two weeks.  After the explosion he was looking forward to continuing his work in the Army.  Roper eventually ended up at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, following an apparent full recovery from the incident.

"Everything seemed perfectly normal," Roper says.  "I had no memory of the explosion, the five minutes prior, or the two weeks following the incident."  He returned to work believing he was fine.

Unfortunately, scarring on his brain, due to the injury received from the explosion, caused a more severe problem than expected.  Almost a year after the blast, Roper had a major seizure and soon after was diagnosed with epilepsy.  This resulted in a medical separation from the Army with an honorable discharge.

Although this was the first time epilepsy ended Roper's career choice, it would not be the last.  Returning home, he continued to struggle to find work.  Turning to the U.S. Department of Veteran's Affairs' (VA) vocational rehabilitation program for assistance, Roper was able to attend college and begin a teaching career.  However, during his student teaching, Roper had a seizure in the classroom and was asked not to return.  Shortly after, his counselor broke the bad news - Roper would never be hired as a teacher because the story of his seizure and epilepsy had spread.  He was told schools were too uncomfortable hiring someone who may have a seizure in front of the students.

"Up to that point in my life I had always been successful, and these problems really shook my confidence" Roper says.  "I knew I just needed someone to give me a chance."  He decided to give himself that chance.  He realized that if he could run his own business, that would be the opportunity he needed and it would allow for the necessary accommodations.

Combining his intelligence background, IT knowledge and marketing skills, Roper began identifying opportunities in the field of federal contracting.  The vocational rehabilitation program paid for the equipment and supplies needed to begin a consulting company and Oceanus Group, LLC was born. Soon, he was awarded his first contract from Innovation Group, Inc., an organization that took a chance on a disabled veteran.  This work proved to him and others that he could succeed as a business owner.

Roper's leap into entrepreneurship has led to continued success.  As a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses, Oceanus Group received 8(a) status from the U.S. Small Business Administration. Now frequently traveling throughout the United States, Roper successfully markets his company to top government contractors. 

Roper has implemented minor accommodations to help himself succeed on the job.  His work is mostly automated, making it easier to handle his increasing workload, and he recognizes the need to take breaks when necessary.  Roper sees educating clients and employers on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) as the best way to ensure they can look past an injury and see a successful person.  "Ignorance is lost through education," says Roper. "It is important to never judge a book by its cover.  The same holds true for veterans and people in general.  Just look what happened when I was given a chance."

Roper admits he had a hard time swallowing his pride but tells fellow veterans to hold their head up high and never be embarrassed to ask for help.

"It's not going to make you less of a person," Roper says. "A veteran has served their country with dignity and pride and should always hold their head high.  A veteran is a great American treasure, and should be treated as such."