It's interesting how disparate dots sometimes connect in real estate transactions. Two of my most unusual transactions involved improbable situations. Several years ago, Chris, a young man barely turned 18 approached me because he had heard I sold real estate. No one wanted to take the kid seriously, and I could tell that he was bracing himself for the same brush off from me. When, I told him that I was willing to work with him, his face lit up with excitement! A couple of months later, he bought his first home and a couple of years later sold it for $24,000 in profit!
It was Chris' mom, Sue who told me about Willie. She worked with Willie in an Automobile Used Car Sales Lot. Willie was one of the sales persons on the team. She indicated that she had told the folks at work about her son's experience & Willie wanted to see if I could assist him with the purchase of a new home. She also wanted me to know one more thing...Willie was legally blind. Hold on...Rewind...A Blind Used Car Sales man???
We met Willie at the car lot. We waited until he had finished with a customer & then he greeted us warmly. Not a hint of self-pity in his voice. I peered at this man with the thick spectacles. Was he really blind? How in the world do you sell cars when you can't see them?
Willie Scales began to tell us his story. His successful career with the Grand Rapids Parks & Recreational Department had been cut short when he began to loose his eyesight. Doctors were never able to pinpoint what caused the degeneration of his optic nerve, but over a short period of time, Willie became legally blind & unable to continue his job.
Now, for most people, that would be the end of a sad story. But not for Willie Scales. Willie decided that this was the chance to pursue his lifelong dream of selling cars. He persuaded the owner of the Roberts Auto Shop to hire him & give him a chance. Willie proceeded to memorize every car on the lot, using his hands to feel out the features. A special computer which he demonstrated to us allowed letters to be enlarged 6-8 inches so he could painstakingly make out certain items. While he did not complete contracts, I did actually witness him use that computer & was amazed!
Well, Willie found his dream home and became one of my most grateful & loyal clients. He was grateful for the fact that we respected him & looked out for his interests. He was grateful that we took the time to locate a home which he could walk to from work. He was grateful that his ranch style home was on one level. He was grateful that he would be able to fix up his home. Another double-take for me. I asked this question to myself, "Willie, How are you going to handle tools to fix up your home"? But he did! And when he had finished painting, creating a Nascar Room & building a deck, he invited us over for a Celebration; pointing out all the things he had done himself with help from his wife & friends.
Since the sale of his home, Willie has called every Christmas or New Year to wish us well. Recently, he called with some sad news. His old boss had died, and Willie was being forced out of his job. He sounded so forlorn. I was taken with the distress in his voice...so unlike Willie. But, by the end of the conversation, the old Willie began to emerge as he talked about his dream of opening up his own garage. This time, I knew better. Nothing is impossible with God...and Willie's life has certainly proved that. A few months passed and I received another call. This time he said, "Lola, I'm doing it, I'm getting my own shop!"
A few days ago, I stopped by to see Willie at his new shop on 7364 S. Division in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Assistance from the Michigan Association of the Blind has enabled Willie to make his dream a reality! The Grand Rapids Press & several syndicated news outlets picked up on the story & featured Willie & his family. Willie's wife Betsy is deaf & they work together as a team. She is his eyes & he is her ears. Their daughter Delores is the delight of their lives. Willie was so pleased to greet me. I took a picture of him in his office and said "You look like you should have been doing this all your life! We both laughed.
My experiences with Chris & Willie have taught me a few important things. First, never underestimate anyone, ever! Chris remains the youngest individual I've ever worked with. But he achieved his goal because someone was willing to come alongside & believe with him. Secondly, a blind man taught me how to look beyond limitations and truly see the power of faith & persistence. Willie rarely indulged in self-pity or blame, even when he was fired, on a pretext, from a salesperson job that he had held for several years as a legally blind man for...get this...loosing his sight. He used this experience as a stepping stone to achieve his goals. In Willie's words, he sees it like this.."Any day that we're above ground is a good day!"
So, what are your limitations? Why are they stopping you? What are you grateful for?
© 2007 Audu Real Estate All rights reserved
*Related Article in the Grand Rapids, Press: Gallery of Photos of Willie & his family
*Original Grand Rapids Press articleby Pat Shellenberger
*Related Article in Lansing State Journal, "Use Car Dealer says Wife's the Eyes, He's the Ears."
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