Man With Down Syndrome Recognized for Working 27 Years at Same McDonald's

Published: 3/20/2019, 12:22:33 PM EDT

A McDonald's sign in a file photo. (Lucy Nicholson/Reuters)

A Georgia man with down syndrome who has been working at the same McDonald's for nearly three decades was recognized for his tenure.

Chris Campbell has been working at the same McDonald's in Atlanta off Buford Highway for 27 years.

He's known as the happy meal expert.

He was honored by the Down Syndrome Association of Atlanta, hoping to send a message that people with disabilities can be valuable employees.

"I like to clean, mopping, cleaning the tables, and making happy meal boxes. I love the happy meal boxes. I'm a box boy," he told 11Alive.

He loves to go to work.

"Not only has he worked at McDonald's, McDonald's has provided this support team for him, that you cannot tell him not to go to McDonald's today, he likes to go," his mother added. "He's got a lot of determination, a lot of fight, and he's going to the top no matter what. And nobody's going to stop him."

The association celebrated on Facebook, adding: "What a special tribute! Congratulations Chris! #inclusion #work #ability."

Customers wait in a drive-through line at a McDonald's restaurant on March 12, 2013, in Mill Valley, California. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) — Customers wait in a drive-through line at a McDonald's restaurant on March 12, 2013, in Mill Valley, California. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Down Syndrome is a congenital disorder that leads to varying degrees of cognitive delays, according to the National Down Syndrome Society.

TheSociety noted that people with Down Syndrome are living longer and longer, and fuller lives than ever.

“Due to advances in medical technology, individuals with Down syndrome are living longer than ever before. In 1910, children with Down syndrome were expected to survive to age nine. With the discovery of antibiotics, the average survival age increased to 19 or 20,” the society stated.

“Now, with recent advancements in clinical treatment, most particularly corrective heart surgeries, as many as 80 percent of adults with Down syndrome reach age 60, and many live even longer. More and more Americans are interacting with individuals with Down syndrome, increasing the need for widespread public education and acceptance.”

Worker Retires After 32 Years

A man with Down syndrome retired after working at Australian McDonald’s for 32 years, according to reports.

Russell O’Grady, 50, was dubbed “the best-known person in Northmead,” having worked at the chain since 1986, reported the New Zealand Herald. He began working there at just 18 years old after a government initiative was organized to help people with intellectual disabilities find a job.

For the next three decades, he worked three days per week cleaning trays, sweeping the floor, and greeting people.

“We’ve got regular customers who come in to see Russell on Thursday and Friday, and the staff look after him, so we’re going to miss him,” McDonald’s supervisor Courtney Purcell said.

His father, Geoff O’Grady, told the Daily Mail that he’s become sort of a local celebrity due to his job at the restaurant, with people stopping him on the street to shake his hand. "He’s very affectionate, dearly loved and appreciated, to such an extent that we just don’t believe it,” he said.

“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,” he said.

“It really helps him, he gets a lot of social interaction and makes him feel like part of the community,” Job support trainer Nikita Vandaru was quoted by the Herald as saying. “When I watch him work, every second customer will stop and talk to him. He’s got a huge smile on his face every time they come.”

According to the Mirror, one person commented: “I’ve actually met Russell before. He is a very hard working young man, always with a smile on his face. Congrats on the retirement champion.”

O’Grady decided that retiring would be best for his health. He will now spend most of his time on his hobby, ten-pin bowling, at the Northmead Bowling Club.

The Epoch Times reporter Jack Phillips contributed to this report.