Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, January 6, 1994                   TAG: 9401060268
SECTION: NEIGHBORS                    PAGE: S-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: JENNIFER VAN HORN SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

TAKING A CHANCE PAYS OFF FOR EMPLOYEE, WAL-MART

But this year, right on schedule, Chrisemer's Christmas dream was fulfilled. During the holiday season, he worked as an exit greeter at Salem's Wal-Mart.

Before this opportunity came along, Chrisemer's quest for independence had come to a near standstill. He was making slow progress at Tinker Mountain workshop, where his motor skills hampered his painstaking efforts to assemble kits.

With low production levels and multiple disabilities, Chrisemer wasn't a likely candidate for outside employment. But, rehabilitation workers at the Department for the Visually Handicapped had a hunch that Chrisemer's "people" skills could be put to use in a competitive environment, and started the Wal-Mart application process.

Chrisemer was ecstatic about the idea of working at Wal-Mart, but everyone realized that there was a lot on the line.

"We're not always sure how everything's going to go" says Don Elder, a vocational rehabilitation counselor at the Department for the Visually Handicapped.

Chrisemer was fitted with new clothes and a new hairstyle, but when the time for the first interview arrived, it was all up to him.

"All of his interviews went very well," says Debbie Smith, Wal-Mart's personnel manager. Each applicant must undergo three interviews and take an opinion survey. Chrisemer passed with flying colors. Then Wal-Mart took the next step. "You have to look at it and say, `What can we do, what are his capabilities?' " Smith says.

With magnification equipment provided by the Department for the Visually Handicapped, Chrisemer could see well enough to check receipts. "It's really an important job," says Smith. "The fact that there's someone there, especially at Christmas time, in the rush of everything, is just a real deterrent to shoplifters."

The Department for the Visually Handicapped, along with Sharon Stuckey of Goodwill Tinker Mountain Industries, provided support for Chrisemer in his endeavor. The department helped subsidize his cab fare and clothing, and contracted with Supported Employment Services for Stuckey's help.

It's important to continue to invest these kind of resources, even in risky situations, says Elder. "At least we gave him a chance, one that I'm sure he would not have gotten unless this type of help was given."

That philosophy helped the Department for the Visually Handicapped place approximately 60 individuals in competitive employment in 1993.

"We're proud of that achievement," says Steve Aukward, regional manager for the department's Roanoke office. "It's important to integrate persons with a variety of disabilities into the marketplace, because they deserve the same opportunities as everyone else to work, live a full life and achieve their potential."

"Wal-Mart has bent over backward to help me in whatever I needed help with," Chrisemer says.

Chris Bare, Wal-Mart manager, says he has never been approached about an opportunity like this before. "This is the first time we've had anybody come to us and want to try, and I think it's because they think that we don't have anything in this type of work that they can do," he says. "It's just been a real good experience for both of us."

So good, in fact, that Smith already is thinking about the possibility of hiring Chrisemer again next Christmas. "I don't think anybody could have a conversation with Sean and not realize how bright he really is," she says.

Stuckey has had an opportunity to observe Chrisemer's work firsthand. "Sean is amazing," she says. "He has so much determination. . . . I think he's done a great job."

Everyone agrees that the benefits have far outweighed the difficulties. "This was really a miracle," Stuckey says.

Chrisemer's job has ended, but he's already looking for other opportunities. "I've learned a lot from the experience," he says. "Anyone who is physically or visually challenged deserves a chance to better themselves in whatever they choose to do. All they need is somebody to say, `OK, you've got the chance, now take it and run.' "