Charlie Yerger

Charlie’s initial degree was not predictive of what turned out to be his passion. He turned a degree in EMS/Paramedicine into a career of working with HVAC control systems. Charlie’s HVAC career started as an installation foreman for a controls contractor, which led to working as a technician for a large residential and commercial HVAC contractor in central Texas. In 2006 Charlie joined Johnson Controls Inc. as a Systems Technician on a major projects team, doing service work in specialized building systems areas.

Several years later the diagnosis was narrowed to that of Bethlehem Myopathy, an inherited movement disorder characterized by progressive muscle weakness and joint contractures in the fingers, wrists, elbows and ankles. Doctors came to this diagnosis after several abdominal surgeries following a muscle biopsy. After the original diagnosis, Charlie was only able to work about 8 months over the next 3 years due to hospital stays and doctor appointments. Charlie is persistent however, and transitioned to working as a remote product support technician for Johnson Controls two years ago. This enabled him to work from home, providing technical support for the FX and Metasys product lines. The change however meant he was no longer able to work in the

field, thereby losing a considerable amount of pay. Charlie’s condition now requires that he use a power wheelchair, which means he needed a truck lift for his wheelchair and an accessible bathroom. In early 2017, Charlie Yerger sent an application to our foundation for a wheelchair lift for his truck and a bathroom remodel. Charlie had learned about our foundation through foundation board member Eric Groh, who is also a JCI employee. Charlie is one of the individuals that Eric speaks with when he calls into technical support. From the pictures below, you can see his truck lift and why Charlie’s bathroom was in such need of a remodel.

Following completion of all the work, Charlie said, “I just don’t know how to thank all of you enough. I am still searching for a more adequate way to thank you and all your foundation has done to make my situation more comfortable and keep me active.”