by Virginia Stollings, Senior Counselor, Kansas City North VR Office
As he entered the room, he reached for his wallet, preempting my first intake question. With a hand that trembled slightly, he handed me a well-worn piece of paper. “I need a job,” he announced with his mild stutter. “Maybe this will help.”
This was my introduction to Roger Amerine, age 53. I gently opened the fragile paper. It was a glowing letter of reference from a long-ago employer. I learned later that Roger had been fired by the employer because he could not do the work assigned to him – home security systems installer. Roger has mental retardation. Initially, he had been hired by a small security company in Kansas City, and he was assigned to do small jobs around the shop. He performed well. But, when a large company bought out Roger’s firm, there were no more accommodations and there was no more work for Roger. Roger was left with only the letter that he still carries proudly.
From then on, Roger’s parents kept Roger at home, where he assisted them at everything around the house. As they aged, they came to rely on his assistance. And Roger took pride in the valuable help he provided.
In time, Roger’s father passed away. And, in 2003, his mother also died. She left Roger her home and her life savings – a sum Roger believed would cover his modest needs for about six months.
Roger was alone when we first met on January 15, 2004 – and afraid. He knew he needed work, but he didn’t know how to begin. Roger doesn’t drive. He never learned to ride the bus. He didn’t know how to submit a job application or how to find a job lead. He knew enough to go to the Missouri Career Center near his home, but he couldn’t understand what they told him there. The Career Center staff referred Roger to me.
I scheduled Roger for testing and made him eligible for Vocational Rehabilitation assistance as quickly as possible. Roger selected job placement services through Tri-County Mental Health Services, Inc. His reason: The provider is located in the only public building Roger knew how to reach by bus. Tri-County agreed to provide placement help with no wait. We were off and running – I thought.
The trouble was that Roger’s applications were turned down – over and over again. Tri-County staff worked doggedly. We brainstormed together repeatedly. We called in every favor we could recall from our collective reserves of IOU’s. But, it seemed that no one wanted to take a chance on a mid-50’s adult, with mental retardation, who hadn’t worked in 20 years.
Through it all, Roger was – well, Roger: A kind and gentle man with a never-ending smile and an inspiring spirit of optimism. Often, during those months of the roller-coaster job search, I felt a sense of role reversal. It was Roger who motivated us to bounce back from disappointment, to keep working diligently – and to warrant his faith in us.
Along the way, we tried to fill the gaps in Roger’s primary needs. Chris Castlebury, his Tri-County Job Developer, helped Roger to apply for and obtain Food Stamps and Medicaid. She also helped him learn to navigate Kansas City’s public transportation system near his home. Meanwhile, I assisted Roger to establish closer contact with his sister. She provided small amounts of financial help along the way, and she provided important moral support and a sense of family continuity for Roger. I also helped him to make connection with the area senior center, where he found friendship, social activity, and a source of additional referral information.
And through it all, Roger was – well, Roger: Always on time for appointments; always looking sharp; always smiling.
Finally, Roger was hired. I was skeptical. It was a part-time custodial job, and I wondered if the hours were adequate and if his strength and stamina were up to the demands. Roger said, “I want to take the job.” Chris provided intensive coaching. Roger was slow; he ran out of gas. But Roger overcame and he thrived. He has been on the job since February 2005. During that time, he has learned the job well, developed the requisite strength and stamina, and shown all the reliability and loyalty we expected of him. He also has earned promotions, more hours, and more pay.
I enjoy an unusual benefit in Roger’s case: He is employed as a custodian in the building which houses the Kansas City North Career Center, which is my referral source. As a result, I get to see Roger on the job when I visit the building.
On one recent morning, I arrived at the Career Center early as the staff was beginning the day with a quick stop at the coffee pot. One worker carried a plate of cookies, which she deposited in the cupboard: “Don’t anybody touch these cookies,” she threatened. “They are for Roger.”
The woman pouring coffee laughed and said, “Then Roger is going to eat well tonight. I made lasagna last night and threw together an extra little pan for Roger. It is in the fridge.” She turned to me and asked,“Do you know Roger? He is our custodian. He’s a wonderful man – the best custodian we ever had. And, he’s always smiling!”
“I know Roger,” was all I said. Inside, I was doing back flips of joy. Boy, do I know Roger!
Roger arrived alone and afraid that winter day when we met. He told me he needed a job. Today he has a job, and he has much more. Roger is no longer alone. He has a sister who is in touch with him regularly. He has a gaggle of surrogate moms who spoil him shamelessly. He has freedom to move about the community via the bus. He has new friends at work and through the senior center.
Roger is no longer afraid. He has confidence that grows visibly each day. He has the opportunity to prove his independence and his worth as a worker. He has dignity, pride in a job done superbly, and recognition from his boss and customers. Roger has a new life, new hope, and he still has that never-ending smile.
