After being diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa in 1996, Charlie Anderson worked at the Pittsburg Envision plant for three months. Feeling his vision loss wasn't quite a barrier to other employment, he went back to his roofing job. By 1999, Charlie’s vision had worsened significantly.
"My boss no longer trusted that I could work safely on roofs, so I needed to find another job," Charlie says. "I couldn’t get a job anywhere. No one wanted to hire a blind person, even though I was experienced."
Then he found Envision again. In 2003, Charlie returned to Envision as a machine operator.
"Envision is a great employer for people who are visually impaired," Charlie says. "In a world where there aren't many options for us, Envision is here and treats us well."
In 2006, Charlie and his wife Jenny transferred to Wichita, bought a home, and Charlie resumed his work as a machine operator making plastic bags.
When not operating his machine or training new employees, Charlie enjoys listening to music and visiting allinplay.com, a text-based, accessible website for multiplayer online games.
"I have been able to chat with people from all over the world," Charlie says. "And most of them are visually impaired."
Charlie also enjoys fishing and cooking out, and he recently joined the Sonics Beep Ball team, organized by Envision employee Kevin Burton.
Charlie has made plenty of friends during his time at Envision. John Hampton, a customer service employee, worked with Charlie when he was employed in Pittsburg.
"He’s a great guy," Hampton says of Charlie. "He's a great leader, and I am proud to be his friend."
"I felt sorry for myself when I first started losing my sight, but there’s no reason for it," Charlie says. "There are plenty of opportunities out there if you are willing to find them."
Charlie's optimistic attitude serves as an inspiration to individuals who are experiencing vision loss. To him, there is no reason to hold back.
"Rise up and challenge yourself," Charlie advises. "If you tell me I can’t do something, I will work that much harder to prove you wrong."