Man with multiple disabilities stays strong through tough economy

Marty Wheeler of Kalispell has proven that persistence and a positive attitude move mountains even in a recession.

Like so many others, Wheeler had his life turned upside down when the economy went south. As business activity slowed, he got laid off from his data entry job at the planning and zoning office of Flathead County.

But unlike other newly unemployed, Wheeler had overcome some huge physical obstacles just to have a job. He was born deaf and with cerebal palsy, making walking impossible without canes.

In addition, he suffers from glaucoma severe enough to have him classified as legally blind.

A native of Kalispell, Wheeler worked hard to graduate from Flathead High School and earn a bachelor’s degree in history with a minor in computer science at the University of Montana. Wheeler’s work experience includes math tutoring, serving as a peer advocate for the deaf and data entry.

Even with education and experience, he has struggled for years to find steady employment. 

In 2001, he was between jobs when the Inter Lake interviewed him about buying his own home and living independently. At the time, he said he would be patient and wait for the right position.

When the data entry and coding job at the county came through, Wheeler found it fit his abilities like a glove. He has no problem working at the computer for hours on highly detailed projects.

Like millions of others, Wheeler hadn’t counted on the economic downfall that severely cut the work load at the planning and zoning office.

Speaking through sign language interpreter David Gray, he said he had worked for the county for  three and a half years.

“I really enjoyed it,” he said. “The last six months, I was part time because there wasn’t enough work. Then, in December of 2008, I got laid off. I was really disappointed.”

At first, it seemed like the end of the world. Just a few weeks before getting laid off, his beloved dog had died.

Wheeler had to go on Social Security Disability in 2009, which didn’t pay enough to live on and went against his ethic.

“I prefer to be independent — to work and make my own money,” he said. “It was a bad year for me. I was really depressed.”

By spring 2010, Wheeler began to come out of it and became determined to find another job. He connected with Marcy Roberts, an employment specialist at the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation.

“Marcy came up with the idea of making a DVD that would be shown to potential employers,” he said.

The idea was to demonstrate how Wheeler works in a normal office setting, using his computer plus a second keyboard device called an UbiDuo that allows him to quickly and efficiently communicate with others.

“It’s real time as you type,” Roberts said. “If you ask him a question,  he instantly gets it on his computer and answers. That is his major mode of communications.”

It worked to get him an interview in October at the Department of Revenue for a different position.

“They didn’t hire me for that job because it required phone work,” Wheeler said. “But I didn’t give up. I just kept looking. I applied two more times. I’m very persistent.”

Wheeler made a believer of Debra Doney, area manager for the Department of Revenue in Kalispell. She worked with Roberts to develop the accommodations he needed.

In March, Wheeler started in a full-time temporary position as a digital sketcher, converting house and building layouts on paper into digital drawings. He also numerically organizes mailed-in, high-value documents.

“It’s really hard to keep up with the mail,” Doney said. “Now Marty is like our ace in the hole.”

She admits she was nervous about Wheeler’s first day of work because she didn’t know sign language. She said she wanted to make sure he was included in the professional as well as social, day-to-day discussion aspects of the work place.

Doney said everyone welcomed him and pitched in to find ways to solve problems, like placing a mirror on his wall to keep from startling him since Wheeler can’t hear people enter his office.

“It has far surpassed all of our expectations,” she said.

She said she was really impressed by how proficiently Wheeler learned digital drawing. Doney said he is converting building diagrams from files dating back to the late 1970s and 1980s into electronic drawings.

Wheeler said some are large with many angles and levels.

“Some are very complex,” Doney said. “Marty’s are perfect.”

She said his drawing ability has surpassed some who have been on the job much longer. Doney said she appreciates that he finds and corrects mistakes rather than just copying drawings.

“I’m good with details,” Wheeler said. “I’ve got a good eye for it.”

Doney said he has the additional challenge of reading the handwriting and drawings of many different appraisers, including some who no longer work at the Department of Revenue.

“It’s fun for me,” Wheeler said. “It’s a good challenge.”

Doney found her concerns about communication were unfounded since Wheeler possesses a high level of lip reading and UbiDuo skills. She said he seems to understand even before they finish speaking.

He also doesn’t get frustrated or bogged down in spite of the complexity of some of the work.

“Marty is probably the most patient person I’ve ever seen,” Doney said.

New technology such as email and social media have made a huge difference for Wheeler and other people with disabilities.

Roberts said that Facebook has helped Wheeler with office socializing. She said he and his co-workers can interact online and by email as well as in person.

“Through these things, he can create the interoffice relationships that hearing people take for granted,” Roberts said.

His Department of Revenue co-workers Dana Morgan, a residential appraiser, and Jason Stevens, a commercial appraiser, echoed Doney’s positive impression of Wheeler. Stevens said they had no problem communicating.

“It’s amazing — we can just talk to him,” he said. “Marty is really talented at lip reading.”

Morgan and Stevens said he picked up the work quickly and flies through files. They said his eagerness to learn and positive outlook have a positive impact on the whole office.

Stevens said Wheeler has an amazing outlook on life.  Morgan agreed.

“When I get burned out, I go talk to Marty,”  she said.

Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by e-mail at cchase@dailyinterlake.com .