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Friday, February 12, 2010

My Favorite Job

I was talking to one of our drivers at work the other day. We were talking about how we'd like to go through life making things a little better as we go. It made me remember my most rewarding job. Ok, parenting has been my *most* rewarding, but I am talking about jobs with a tangible paycheck.

In another life, I was a job developer for Developmentally Disabled adults. I would go out into the community, find jobs for them, train them, and follow through. However, my favorite story doesn't involve community employment.

I had a client named Ron. Ron had cerebral palsy and mental retardation. He was about 40, drove an electric wheelchair and only had use of his right arm and hand enough to feed himself and control his chair. Ron had never worked a day in his life.

I got a contract for my clients to shred confidential documents. Ron could not read, so there was no need to worry about him reading what he was shredding, so staff signed the confidentiality agreements, sorted and weighed the paper and Ron got to work. Ron was slow to start, but he caught on. His first check was something like $0.48 and he was thrilled!!! It was the first time, like I said, that he had earned anything.

A few paychecks later, and he was earning $10-30 each paycheck. Ron bought me a hamburger, he was so happy!

So... that was my favorite job. I made the world a little better with that one.

4 comments:

Theresa said...

That's so awesome! I never knew that you did that work. I can only imagine how rewarding it would have been. If only there were more people in the world who had the compassion and desire to help others like that!

*hugs*

Dawn said...

AWE :)

"few paychecks later, and he was earning $10-30 each paycheck. Ron bought me a hamburger, he was so happy!"

so cute! :) I used to work with special needs children, watching them learn and progress at anything was a huge reward for me. :) Miss those kids..

bless your heart for hooking him up Robyn! :D

designsbykari said...

A Very rewarding job. Sounds like for you and Ron.

Mary said...

robyn,

What an awesome memory. You made both yours and Ron's life better and also got the paper shredding job done by someone who wouldn't read what they were shredding. I so enjoy your blog.

Blessings,
Mary
(naturepoet)

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