As the largest employer of people who are blind in
the country, Industries for the Blind (IFB) credits its success to an
incredible team of employees, volunteers and customers. At a special recognition banquet held in
Winston-Salem recently, IFB recognized several top employees, community
volunteers, and customers, including Joe Sprouse of IFB Asheville, who was
named IFB Asheville’s Employee of the Year.
Beginning in contract cutting in
2009, Sprouse initially folded cloth and boxed it up. He was transferred to IMP
(impulse merchandise) where he bagged
items, then opened boxes and assembled them as needed. Always willing and
resourceful, he moved to sealing, then to the stapler line, putting tracks
together. Along the way, he learned to run a sonic and press welder and the
clicker die in contract cutting.
“I work in IMP and in the stapler
area, but I do a little bit of everything,” said Sprouse. “I try to do whatever
they ask, even if I need to do it by feel.”
Sprouse has RP, a hereditary
condition that causes blindness. Diagnosed some 20 years ago, he now has about
5% vision left—he puts that percentage to work every day, and uses this other
senses to help him work in many places in the plant.
“At IFB, our mission is to create
opportunities for people who are blind or visually impaired through employment,
training and services. Joe is a wonderful asset to IFB. His can-do attitude is
infectious, and he richly deserves this award,” said Randy Buckner, Director of
Operations for IFB Asheville.
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