My Name Is Dustin Wilburn or Dusty. I started my journey with LIFTT on March 20th, 2023. I was born in Missoula, Montana, and soon moved to Sidney, Montana, where I grew up most of my life before moving to Glendive in 2002, where I graduated from Dawson County High School. I am a married man with my Wife, Jenifer Wilburn. We have been together for 11 years and have been married for eight years, and she has blessed me with a daughter named Karma, who is 15. My little family are animal lovers. We also have a big white cat named Lux, a grey cat named Zelda, a little white cat named Lily, a Chiweenie named Paco Taco, a bearded dragon named Spyro, and a Russian Tortoise named Tokka.
As a person with a few major disabilities, working at LIFTT has opened my eyes. I have Type 1 Diabetes and was diagnosed at 14 was misdiagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. At that time, the medicines they prescribed me made me very sick, so I went untreated for some time before figuring out I was a Type 1 Diabetic. During the time I was untreated, my diabetes attacked my eyes, making me get Glaucoma and Macular Degeneration and Diabetic Retinopathy. Five years ago, I went to an eye doctor in Sidney, and they referred me to an Ophthalmologist in Williston, North Dakota. I would get eye shots and Laser surgery, and eventually, I would go completely blind. My eyesight slowly goes every day. Working at LIFTT with Disabilities is great because LIFTT is disability driven. Everyone I meet and work with is great. Working at LIFTT is amazing; they make me feel welcome and help me when needed.
Before LIFTT, I worked at many different laborious jobs. I’ve been working since I was 15 years old. My first job was as a cook at the local McDonald’s here in Glendive. I’ve also worked as a Delivery Driver for many companies in Glendive.
I am an extremely big Pittsburgh Steelers and Montana Griz fan, as I was born in Missoula, Montana. My family and I are big-time football fans. I also enjoy watching baseball, basketball, and hockey. I am also a big fan of the Harry Potter Franchise. I nerd out on it a lot, asking my coworkers. I’m a big-time Reptile lover. Growing up, I always wanted to be a paleontologist and dig up fossils of dinosaurs worldwide. I am a big-time gamer nerd. I play video games often in my spare time and love playing games with my wife, daughter, and friends. I enjoy camping with my family and friends. I also collect Pokémon Cards as a hobby with my daughter Karma, and we Play Pokémon on the Nintendo Switch all the Time.
LIFTT is the best-kept secret. This nonprofit organization has so much to offer to its employees and the consumers we help every day. We do so much here at LIFTT. The list is huge and, for me, an eye opener as when I can help someone to better their day and life, it’s the most amazing feeling knowing I got that person the help they needed and most definitely deserved. I hope to make LIFTT my career job and hope to be here for many years to come. Thanks, LIFTT!