From Chattooga County to the Conference Stage: Spann Cordle’s Story of Determination, Advocacy, and Finn’s Lasting Legacy

Years ago, Spann Cordle asked the late attorney Bobby Lee Cook how he became so successful. Cook’s answer stayed with him: he was willing to travel where other attorneys would not go, take cases others did not want, and do the work others were unwilling to do. He won those cases, and people came to know his name.

That conversation left a lasting impression on Cordle. Now, as he works to grow his own public speaking career, he is applying that lesson to his life.

“My biggest asset is my verbal communication skills, and I plan to see how far they can take me,” Cordle said.

Cordle hopes to take his story beyond northwest Georgia, sharing his experiences growing up with cerebral palsy in Chattooga County, building a career at Walmart, and partnering with his service dog, Finn. On Friday, October 30, 2026, he is scheduled to share his story at the Abilities Without Limits Conference in Dalton.

Growing Up in Chattooga County

Born prematurely in 1958 and raised in northwest Georgia, Cordle grew up at a time when families often had fewer resources and less information available about disabilities.

Physical therapy was an important part of his early life. Three times a week, his family made the drive to Atlanta for treatment, a trip that took approximately an hour and a half to an hour and 45 minutes each way.

His parents established a foundation that would shape his outlook on life. Cordle and his older brother, who did not have a disability, were raised with the same expectations. His disability was part of his life, but it did not mean he was excused from doing his best or contributing to his family and community.

Cordle remembers his high school years as a positive period in his life. His teachers treated him with respect while holding him to the same academic expectations as his classmates.

Among the teachers who made an impression on him were Steve Hayes, John Turner, and Phyllis Payne. Payne taught journalism, including storytelling and editorial writing—skills that would later prove useful as Cordle developed his own voice as an advocate.

After college, Cordle returned to speak with his former teachers and ask what they had expected of him. Those conversations gave him an opportunity to reflect on their influence in his life.

Cordle remains connected to his graduating class. The Class of 1977 is scheduled to celebrate its 50th reunion in April 2027, and he looks forward to taking part.

A Lifetime of Change

Cordle has witnessed nearly seven decades of changes in how disability is understood and discussed.

“When I was born prematurely in 1958, society’s understanding of disability was very different from what it is today,” Cordle said. “In the late 1950s and early 1960s, disability was often treated as a taboo subject. Some families kept children with physical or developmental disabilities out of public view because they felt embarrassed, were unsure how to respond to people’s questions, or lacked support and resources.”

He has also seen remarkable advances in medical care since his birth.

“At a time when medical professionals had far less knowledge and technology available to care for premature babies, the outlook was very different,” Cordle said. “Today, medical advances can help save the lives of babies born much smaller and earlier than I was. The progress is remarkable when you consider how far medicine has come.”

Cordle is grateful for that progress but believes there is still work to do.

“We’ve come a long way since 1958,” he said. “My hope is that the next generation will see even greater progress—not only in medical technology and research, but also in how disabled people are respected, understood, supported, and included in everyday life.”

For Cordle, sharing his experiences is one way to help others understand how much has changed and where more progress is needed.

A Career at Walmart and a Partnership with Finn

Cordle began working at Walmart in 2007, building a career while continuing to advocate for people with disabilities.

In February 2010, Walmart named him its Disability Spokesperson, according to Cordle. That same year, he received recognition through CAREERS & the DISABLED magazine’s Employee of the Year program, representing Walmart.

A defining part of his story was his partnership with Finn, his service dog. Cordle describes their relationship as a pioneering Walmart associate service-dog team, bringing together his work and his advocacy for greater understanding of service animals in the workplace.

Finn became an important part of Cordle’s daily life and the story he now shares with audiences. Their partnership gave Cordle an opportunity to demonstrate what a service-dog team could accomplish.

Cordle continues working as a self-checkout host at Walmart Store 756 in Trion, Georgia, while developing his public speaking career.

Twelve Amazing Years With Finn

Finn was with Cordle from 2005 until 2017. During those 12 years, the two developed a partnership that became central to Cordle’s life.

In 2017, while living in Griffin, Georgia, Cordle faced one of the most difficult decisions of his life. Finn was 14 years old and had degenerative spine disease, for which there was no cure. Cordle ultimately had to make the heartbreaking decision to put him down.

Although their time together ended, the experiences and memories they shared remain an important part of Cordle’s story. Those 12 years continue to influence his advocacy and his desire to reach others through public speaking.

Taking His Message to a Wider Audience

Cordle is working to bring his experiences to audiences beyond northwest Georgia. His scheduled appearance at the Abilities Without Limits Conference in Dalton on Friday, October 30, 2026, will give him an opportunity to talk about his life, his work at Walmart, his advocacy, and the years he shared with Finn.

He is also building on podcast appearances and media conversations as he looks for new ways to tell his story.

As Cordle pursues this next chapter, he often thinks back to the advice he received from Bobby Lee Cook. When Cordle asked how he became successful, Cook explained that he was willing to travel and take cases other attorneys did not want. He went where others were reluctant to go, and that willingness helped establish his reputation.

The lesson stayed with Cordle. Now, rather than taking cases, he is looking for opportunities to share his message with new audiences.

Cordle hopes to encourage others through his experiences and show what can happen when someone is willing to pursue opportunities beyond familiar surroundings. As he prepares to speak to new audiences, he is putting Cook’s advice into practice in his own way: stepping outside his comfort zone and seeing where the journey leads.

Conference Information

The Abilities Without Limits Conference is scheduled for Friday, October 30, 2026, in Dalton. Those interested in attending can contact Lindsey Coker for information about registration and attendance.

• Contact: Lindsey Coker
• Phone: 706-226-8913
• Email: NGAC@hhcs.org

Inspired by Cook’s advice and shaped by a lifetime of experiences, Cordle is ready to take his story beyond northwest Georgia. As he steps into public speaking, he hopes to connect with new audiences, share what he has learned, and discover just how far his voice can take him.

Friendship Flag Unfurled for Disability Awareness
Spann Cordle accepts his advance copy of “God’s Junkman”from author and mentor John Turner. Walmart Associate Winfred Parrish assisted with the World’s Friendship Flag.
(Photo by Deb Turner)