Imagine facing the world as your vision fades. Would you let it hold you back?
Devene “Deek” Spence didn’t.
Diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa at 19, Deek chose to embrace the challenge. “I never let it stop me; I always did what I wanted to do,” he says. That determination carried him through playing sports and woodworking, and it still drives him today.
A devoted husband, father to six, and proud grandfather of thirteen, Deek spends his spare time engaging in his church community and fishing. His spirit of independence is matched only by his dedication to his work at BISM’s Salisbury location, where he has worked for 39 years and currently serves as the Sewing Foreman.
But Deek’s journey at BISM has been about more than just honing his craft — it also has been about gaining confidence.
In 2008, he took part in BISM’s Independence, Training, and Rehabilitation (ITR) program, where he learned to navigate public transportation, cross busy streets, and use a cane to move confidently through crowds. He also mastered computer skills, from sending emails to working with spreadsheets — skills he never imagined would be part of his daily life.
This year, BISM nominated Deek for the prestigious Peter J. Salmon Employee of the Year Award given by the National Industries for the Blind (NIB), which recognizes employees who excel in their jobs while also positively impacting their workplaces and communities.
