This Veterans Day, we’re proud to recognize Tabitha, an Army veteran who served for 20 years and now brings that same dedication to supporting her son at Fello. 

Tabitha served in the U.S. Army from 1993 to 2013, achieving the rank of E-6. She was drawn to the military by a desire to be part of something bigger than herself, and that sense of purpose continues to guide her today. 

Now a mom of six, Tabitha works as a Direct Support Professional (DSP) at Fello, where she’s found a new mission that hits even closer to home: supporting her 30-year-old son through Self-Directed Services.  

A New Mission 

When her son aged out of the programs at Kennedy Krieger, a social worker shared options for continued support. Fello immediately stood out.  

“Fello was well known and the most popular,” said Tabitha. What really caught her attention was Fello’s approach to inclusion: “They were diverse, as far as different people they supported, and the people who work there.” 

Valuing diversity mattered to Tabitha. In the military, she served alongside people from many backgrounds and experiences and knew that diversity strengthens a team and helps build understanding. Tabitha recognized that same commitment to inclusion at Fello and knew it was an organization worth exploring.  

What began as a search for the right support for her son became an opportunity for her, too. Inspired by Fello’s mission and the people she met, Tabitha joined Fello as a DSP. Now, Tabitha gets to do something she genuinely loves.  

“I like to go to different places and do activities with my son,” she said. “I get to help him be a member of society and experience life.”  

Service, Duty, Respect 

When asked how her military experience shows up in her work, Tabitha shared three words: service, duty, respect. 

For Tabitha, duty is all about following through no matter what. “When you start a job, you finish the job,” she said. “Even though the person may be going through something, you make sure they are okay.”  

For Tabitha, this has always meant putting the person first. This approach aligns closely with Fello’s mission to provide person-centered support that honors each person’s needs, choices, and experiences. 

The Army also taught her how to support people during difficult moments and how to show up for people in meaningful ways. “In the military, we had people going through different circumstances that often made them feel unheard,” said Tabitha. “I became their counselor, friend, boss, and confidante.” 

Tabitha learned to be flexible, to understand what may trigger someone, and to really listen. “Everything isn’t just black and white. You have to figure out the root of the problem and put time into that person to know what’s going on.” 

Those 20 years of service shaped how she supports others today. “Without my military experience, I would have started from scratch. I would have had to learn a lot more basics in communication,” she said.  

Instead, Tabitha came to Fello with the patience and understanding needed to support her son and others. 

More Than Just a Job 

There’s something else Tabitha found at Fello that reminds her of her military days: a sense of genuine care and loyalty.

“Fello shows they really do care. It’s not just a job,” she says. “I have a lot of love and respect for Fello, and I love the way they do things.” 

This Veterans Day, we honor Tabitha and all veterans who continue to serve their communities every day. Service does not stop with a uniform. It grows into new forms of leadership, purpose, and connection.