Bosma Enterprises' Employee of the Year: Dwane Craig

Dwane Craig:  A Forward-looking Attitude

Always optimistic, Dwane Craig has never let negativity stand in his way. After surviving a debilitating motorcycle accident, Dwane began to notice the blood vessels around his optic nerve were rupturing. Although doctors were not able to put a finger on exactly what caused his loss of vision, they believed a hard blow to the head is what may have caused his vision complications three years after the accident.

Dedicated to his previous employer, Dwane found himself unemployed when the company he worked for 15 years, Glass Craft Inc., was sold.

This is what brought Dwane to Bosma Enterprises. Noticing he was loosing more of his central vision, Dwane began looking for new ways to get around. In 1990, he began rehabilitation at the Bosma Rehabilitation Center but continuously carried with him a strong desire to obtain employment.

After going through rehabilitation, Dwane was persistent about signing up for the employment services programs at Bosma Enterprises.

“I watched everything that went on at Bosma Enterprises and knew right off the bat that I wanted to work here,” says Dwane. “They cater to people who are blind and make work more accessible – they deal with everyone’s disability very well.”

Ever since that time, Dwane has worked very hard to get where he is today. Starting as a temporary worker in May of 2010, he found himself full-time in May of 2011. Now a Surgical Labeler for Bosma Enterprises’, Dwane always knew there was a method to all the madness in his life. Dwane, who only calls his work “play,” finds his job fun and always entertaining.

“I have always had a positive attitude and knew that I would make the best out of what I have – there is a plan for me and there is something behind all this madness – I won’t let it get me down.”

Before Dwane had experienced vision complications, he had never known anyone with a visual impairment.

“At first it was difficult because I felt all alone – Bosma and everyone here have really made me feel like family – there’s people I can relate to who understand what I am going through.

Because he has always carried his forward-looking attitude, it was easy for Bosma Enterprises to select Dwane as the Employee of the Year.

Before working for Glass Craft Inc., Dwane had been a certified mechanic for the majority of his life. This is what led him to his love for drag racing. Dwane built his own car but because of his accident and vision complications, had to forego his dreams of racing.

“That was the real heart breaker,” says Dwane. “Luckily, my nephew, Jason, stepped in and made me Crew Chief of the race team, B&C Motor Sports  – my job is to make sure he stays safe and that is really how I manage – I live through his success.”

When not working hard or dedicating his time and weekends to drag racing, Dwane loves to ride roller coasters, go snow-skiing and do anything that gets his adrenaline pumping. He also loves spending time with his wife, Catherine and stepson, T.J. Together they like to go canoeing and live their lives in the fast lane.

Dwane hopes to eventually work his way up to a line leader position in the production area at Bosma Enterprises.

“I love to work hard and be responsible –I don’t see that ever changing.

Congratulations, Dwane!