A man with cerebral palsy celebrated his 10th year as a greeter at a Walmart store in December, but because of a change in job duties, he’s afraid he’ll lose his job.
Adam Catlin greatly enjoys his job as a Walmart greeter and is a customer favorite, but all that changed over the weekend. While in the middle of one of his shifts, Catlin was told that due to a change in corporate policy, he would have to perform new tasks, such as standing all day and being able to lift up to 25 pounds, tasks that are impossible for him because of his cerebral palsy, reported WNEP.
Cerebral palsy is the most common motor and movement disability, and it restricts strength and range of motion, according to Cerebral Palsy Guidance. Catlin relies on a walker to hold himself upright and walk.
Catlin said he has until April 26 to comply with the new list of required tasks or he will no longer have a job.
“I’m not going to be able to do that,” he told WNEP.
Adam Catlin fears he could lose his job at Walmart because the job description will soon include tasks he physically can’t do. https://t.co/mN407SouKY pic.twitter.com/U3tuLac6St
— KING 5 News (@KING5Seattle) February 21, 2019
On Monday, Feb. 18, Catlin’s mother posted about the situation on Facebook. While Catlin has the option to stay at home and collect disability benefits because of his cerebral palsy, he chooses to work instead.
“Adam loves his job so much and does it with his whole heart. He looks forward to you and your families, especially your kiddos. He seems to know them all by name,” she wrote. “He has always, always, had outstanding reviews and truly loves his work family, coworkers and all of management alike.”
由 Holly Catlin 发布于 2019年2月18日周一
Customers have indeed attested to the fact that Catlin is a vital part of the community in his role as a Walmart greeter.
“He’s just a real good kid with a good attitude and everyone enjoys seeing him,” patron Stacie Camp told WNEP.
“If you’re having a bad day, you go in there, he makes your day. We go there every week and I look forward to seeing him,” Shannon Walter added.
And as for Catlin, he just wants to keep working.
“I want to keep my job past April 26 because I’ve made a lot of good friends and a lot of good memories over the years,” he said.
His mother also spoke of Catlin’s love for his work in her post, writing, “He beams from ear to ear when he speaks of his co-workers and management. They are his family in his eyes. When one of them experiences a hurt, I can tell he hurts for them.”
If you shop at the Selinsgrove @Walmart you probably know Adam Catlin. He’s been a greeter there for ten years. Adam has cerebral palsy and recently found out his job description changed, making him unable to do the new job. He hopes telling his story will make Walmart rethink pic.twitter.com/ld77WereuZ
— Nikki Krize (@NikkiKrize) February 19, 2019
The timing also couldn’t have come at a worse time.
“His Walmart family has been a huge part of his world,” his mother wrote. “Just 6 weeks ago he suffered an unexpected, enormous loss…his 31 year old sister, and now this.”
On top of that, Catlin’s father also fell ill and was hospitalized this week, according to The Daily Item. At his sister’s viewing, Catlin asked how soon he could get back to work as he saw it as a way to escape grief and achieve a sense of normalcy.
“Adam has such a strong desire to work and support himself,” his mother wrote on Facebook. “He even wanted to go to work rather than the hospital the morning of his heart attack. I am sad and sickened to see what a huge blow this is to him.”
“I think it’s ridiculous,” Amber Piermattei told Daily Item. “He’s dedicated so much of his life to Walmart.”
“I am extremely disappointed in this. Not just the way it was handled but, just the fact that it happened,” his mother wrote. “I know corporate decisions are corporate decisions, if that’s where this originated from, but, does anyone ever make any decisions anymore by putting any heart or care into it? I seriously wonder this.”
His mother’s Facebook post went viral with more than 9,200 shares and sparked outrage in the comments. “Disgusting. Walmart should be ashamed of itself as company,” a user commented.
“So sad,” another wrote. “He is disabled what about the Disability Act. They should not take his job that he has done for 10 years away from him. This is totally cruel. I pray they do not let him go.”
Adam Catlin has been a greeter at the Walmart store for about 10 years. https://t.co/hEErTnzyr9
— WAFB (@WAFB) February 20, 2019
When WNEP contacted Walmart’s corporate office, they received the following statement.
“Adam is a valued member of the team and part of what makes our Selinsgrove store special. We’re looking for a solution that keeps him with the store and are reaching out to him and his family again today to ensure they are fully aware of all the options that are available. There is a 60 day transition period as part of this change, which allows us to be thoughtful and find the best solution for everyone.”