Job For Disabled Son

[grizwilson]

My 26 year old son is looking for work. He has cerebral palsy, that affects him some mentally and physically. While he is not the sharpest knife in the drawer, he usually makes better decisions than my younger son who is in college. He drives, does basic math and reads some. Physically, he has some weakness in his left arm and leg, and is a little slow. He worked for Wal-mart for 6 years, pushing carts and carrying out heavy items; all was fine until the slow economy allowed them to hire someone faster for less money, then he was too slow and talked to customers too much. He is not fast enough to bus tables or do production janitor work, but he is dependable and steady. Voc Rehab is working with him, and will work to train and coach him to learn a job. They tell us he can qualify for social security disability, but he would wants to work.

[jdmidwest]

As you probably know, there may be programs that will compensate an employer for a portion of all of his salary thru a local sheltered workshop or other state agency. I don't know where you are located but surely the Voc Rehab will be able to place him somewhere. As an employer, we hired several disabled to do grounds work and other odd jobs and had good success. They were sent to the jobsite with trainer that worked with them till they were able to do the job alone. But this was back in the 90's, I don't know if those programs were still an option.

[Dutch]

You might check with Springfield Remanufacturing. They tend to help people out.

[Smalliebigs]

My 26 year old son is looking for work. He has cerebral palsy, that affects him some mentally and physically. While he is not the sharpest knife in the drawer, he usually makes better decisions than my younger son who is in college. He drives, does basic math and reads some. Physically, he has some weakness in his left arm and leg, and is a little slow. He worked for Wal-mart for 6 years, pushing carts and carrying out heavy items; all was fine until the slow economy allowed them to hire someone faster for less money, then he was too slow and talked to customers too much. He is not fast enough to bus tables or do production janitor work, but he is dependable and steady. Voc Rehab is working with him, and will work to train and coach him to learn a job. They tell us he can qualify for social security disability, but he would wants to work.

Dutch, I love your son and I've never met him!!!! It sounds like he is awsome kid and

I truly commend him for wanting to work instead of collect disability.It sounds like you raised him right!!! Man I hope someone has a need for him in the workplace.

[grizwilson]

You might check with Springfield Remanufacturing. They tend to help people out.

Dutch

Jack has a meeting witih SRC tomorrow, at least it gives him some hope. Thanks

G

[snagged in outlet 3]

I hope Jack gets that job.

Let us know.

SIO3

[mic]

Another place to check with the Highway/Interstate folks (or local, state, and federal sites). In a lot of states (IL included), they contract out different jobs to companies that focus on handicapped, but able to work people. Even if you don't have rest stops, these companies will have other jobs.

I used to work for a Challenge Unlimited whose primary goal is to place temp and permanently handicapped people. Here is there website: http://www.cuinc.org/. If they don't have work in your area, they might know what sister company does. The other nice thing is if they can find him a position on government contract, it will probably come with medical benefits.

Good Luck,

Mike D.

[bent]

If you don't come up with something . Making fishing lures can turn a dollar or two nothing fantastic but its something to do . Tying crappie jigs is not to hard and you don't have to be fast just steady. There are a lot of jig makers in the Ozarks could be they need some help or be willing to tutor him.

[DChance]

Dutch, I love your son and I've never met him!!!! It sounds like he is awsome kid and

I truly commend him for wanting to work instead of collect disability.It sounds like you raised him right!!! Man I hope someone has a need for him in the workplace.

+1 to this comment. I also have a son that had a stroke at birth so goes through many of the same handicaps, but he is only 5 right now so I am not quite in the same situation as you are.....we still have school to go through

sorry I am no help, good luck to him.

[luv2fish]

I used to provide supported employment services. Pizza Hut used to be a pretty good resource for employment opportunities. Voc Rehab should be able to help, but I know funding isn't what it used to be. The Springfield Regional Center for people with Developmental Disabilities should /could be a resource as well. Good luck and shame on WalMart.