St. Charles business owner never let blindness stop him from seeing success
ST. CHARLES, Mo. – Ted Atwell may not be able to physically see the machines he works on, but his connection with them runs deep. Through touch and sound, he navigates his craft with precision and skill.
“It’s kind of hard to believe, but to someone like me who has done it all his life, it’s normal,” Atwell says, reflecting on his unique approach to his work.
Atwell is the middle child of five siblings. He and his younger twin sisters were all born blind. Growing up, he faced adversity with resilience, a quality he attributes to his upbringing. They grew up playing outside, and he says he even learned how to ride a bike and skateboard.
“I remember as a young kid, my mother would dress us up a certain way,” he says. “Well, I wanted to wear leather coats. I wanted to wear boots. And my father said, ‘Hey, you want those? You need to learn how to make money.'”
And that’s what Atwell did. From a young age, Ted learned the ins and outs of repairing lawnmowers, honing his skills and carving a niche for himself. He didn’t like learning in a classroom, but his passion for working with his hands propelled him forward in life. He also owned and operated a restaurant in 2005 and had a bait shop after that.
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However, a stroke in 2019 left Atwell confined to a wheelchair, with limited mobility in his right arm and legs. But he still has his business, Ted Atwell Small Engine Repair.
“I have these people who help me,” he says. “And you know, I’m very grateful for that because I wouldn’t be doing lawnmowers if I didn’t have these people.”
His dedication to his craft, coupled with his commitment to treating everyone with kindness and respect, has earned him a loyal clientele.
“I could sit back and collect disability. But you know, I’m a provider. If I didn’t have that, I wouldn’t have anything,” Atwell says.
Beyond his successful business, Atwell cherishes his family deeply. With a devoted girlfriend of 23 years and four children, he finds joy personally and professionally.
“The business is always good because I always treat everybody good,” he says. “I enjoy life. I enjoy people.”
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