A Beloved McDonald’s worker with Down syndrome just celebrated 30 years of service with the fast food company
A McDonald’s worker with Down syndrome has been delighting customers at his local McDonald’s for the past 30 years.
Russell O’Grady first donned the fast food restaurant’s uniform in 1986 when he was just 18-years-old. Now, 30 years later, he is a local hero at Northmead McDonald’s, in Sydney, Australia.
His father, Geoff O’Grady, told Daily Mail Australia his son had become ‘the best-known person in Northmead’ since he started working at McDonald’s. He told the paper, ‘People stop him on the street and shake his hand. He’s very affectionate, dearly loved and appreciated, to such an extent that we just don’t believe it.’
Geoff said he was ‘extremely proud’ of his son, but never thought the community would embrace him in the way it has.
Geoff said his son’s career has given him a different outlook on life. he told reporters, ’Somebody said to him “are you handicapped?” and his answer was “I used to be when I went to school, but now I work at McDonald’s.”
Geoff said the staff at Northmead McDonald’s accepted him with open arms, and made Russell’s work life more enjoyable than he thought possible adding, ‘These people are absolutely fantastic, if it wasn’t for their attitude he wouldn’t still be working.”
Store assistant Katie Chlyder told Daily Mail Australia that Russell made the restaurant a brighter place. She says Russell’s job is to clear trays, and sweep the restaurant —- but his favorite job is to greet customers.