Irving Middleton
Synopsis
With a journey defined by perseverance and leadership, Irving Middleton has become a valued team member at Palmetto Goodwill Services and a strong advocate for others. After facing major health challenges, including kidney failure, vision loss, and amputation, he rebuilt his career and now serves as a custodian at the Naval Information Warfare Center. A father of two and community leader, Middleton also champions disability awareness through advocacy and outreach efforts.
The Full Story
Irving Middleton's journey can best be summarized by his perseverance, leadership, and a deep commitment to advocating for others. In his time working with Palmetto Goodwill Services, Middleton has become a valued team member—and a powerful voice for anyone navigating disabilities and life-changing health complications. A Charleston, South Carolina native, he faced early hardship in life, including the loss of his sister. He was also diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes as a teenager, which eventually led to kidney failure, dialysis, severe vision loss, and a below-knee amputation in 2019. But through it all, Middleton maintained his determination; "his story reflects the power of self-belief and his personal mantra: 'I will thrive, no matter what,'" says John Wiggins, facility security officer and senior project manager at Palmetto Goodwill Services.
His journey to his current role was marked by persistence and a desire to prove his skills. After receiving a life-changing kidney transplant in 2021 following three years on dialysis, he connected with South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation and later Palmetto Goodwill’s Workforce Development team. In 2023, he began working as a custodian at the Naval Information Warfare Center, a role that requires security clearance and a strong level of trust and responsibility. Coworkers know Middleton for his reliability, positive attitude, and ability to keep everyone on the team motivated. His performance and leadership have earned praise from supervisors and teammates alike, culminating in his 2025 achievement of Palmetto Goodwill’s Achiever of the Year.
In addition to his career, Middleton is a passionate advocate for others in his personal life. He’s an active member of the National Federation of the Blind and was elected Vice President of the organization’s Charleston Chapter in 2024. He’s also a co-founder of The Blind Titans, a nonprofit support group whose mission is to raise awareness around conditions such as blindness, diabetes, kidney disease, amputations, mental health, and paraplegia. Through social media and community events, the group provides support, shares resources, and encourages open conversations about living with disabilities.
Middleton has even taken his advocacy to the national stage. As part of Palmetto Goodwill's Grassroots Advocacy program, he’s shared his experiences with policymakers and participated in national advocacy events in Washington, D.C., helping highlight the value of employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. His willingness to speak openly about his journey has inspired many and strengthened awareness across communities.
A proud father of two daughters, Middleton credits his family as the driving force behind his determination. Known for his humility, compassion, and encouragement of others, he continues to use his experiences to uplift everyone around him. His work, advocacy, and leadership are all reminders of how perseverance and purpose can create a lasting impact in the workplace and beyond.
The mention of the U.S. Government in this article does not imply endorsement by the government of the product or service provided by the nonprofit agency to the government.
