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Blindness is not a barrier to employment

Lions Volunteers Blind Industries offers dignity through work

A non-profit in Morristown has a vision for people who can't see: dignity through work. Lions Volunteer Blind Industries offers training and meaningful employment.

Welcome to a special mattress showroom in Morristown.

In this place it doesn't matter that Georgia Ramsey has an inherited condition that left her visually impaired.

"My distance is not good. I can't see more than five feet in front of me to tell who somebody is," she said.

She uses magnification and adaptive equipment to see up close.

"In years past I have applied with different companies and I feel like I was possibly discriminated against due to my vision. Of course they are not come right out and say that they'll just be like you're not suited to this particular position," she said.

She found a position at Lions Volunteer Blind Industries. Georgia was first hired in the sewing department at the non-profit and recently moved to the showroom. It's a good match with her college degree in health care administration with a minor in marketing.

"I really enjoy my work here and Volunteer Blind has been really good to me in working with my vision and getting me the adaptive equipment that I need," she said.

The showroom is just part of the services they offer there. There is a huge manufacturing component and rehabilitation for people who are just starting their journey as a blind person.

"Providing people with the dignity of independence through employment," Owen Neil said.

That's the mission of VBI.

"Maybe somebody doesn't want to go to work but they want to be independent. So we teach them how to navigate their kitchen," he said.

Owen knows first hand the importance of those lessons. He lost his sight after a car wreck.

"When I was blind they just gave me a cane where I lived and said ok you're on your own. So we teach you how to navigate using a cane, going up and down stairs, going around corners, crossing the street. And you can also get some technology training," he said.

The practical training opens a door to a better life.

"There's a life out there. Start dreaming again. Go back to living again. And I think VBI makes it happen," he said.

VBI made it happen for Georgia.

"It has given my confidence and self-esteem back," she said.

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