McDonald’s Worker With Down Syndrome Retires After 32 Years (VIDEO)

Freia David’s face is familiar to many local patrons at the McDonald’s in Needham, Massachusetts. She is retiring after working there for 32 years.

A loyal customer, Christopher Sheehan, wrote this on Facebook:

“She is one of the most beautiful and upbeat people you could ever hope to know and I know.”

This started a thread of comments from other local customers who wrote about David.

Julia Frevold said:

“Freia served me the last burger I ever ate at McD’s. When I told her I was cutting them out of my diet she was excited to be the person to give me my special last burger from ‘her’ restaurant. I won’t forget her smile as I told her I thought the name of a goddess suited her well.”

David lives in the Charles River Center in Needham, Massachusetts. This is a residential facility for children and adults with developmental disabilities. She is employed through the center. The center is a non-profit, and they provide on-the-job training and housing for people with disabilities.

David’s last day will be Monday, August 29. The restaurant is holding a retirement party for her:

Since David worked at the fry station, the restaurant will give away free fries that day. They have invited the whole town, and also p.ut up a sign saying they are hiring another manager.

In 2009, the center wrote an article about David. Her manager, Charles Broughton, said:

“Recognized for her perseverance, hard work and admirable spirit, Freia demonstrates what one can accomplish, given the opportunity. Just ask her boss at McDonald’s where Freia has worked since 1987. ‘Freia is a great employee. She works hard and is so good natured,’ says manager Charles Broughton. ‘She’s happy to be here and we love to have her here,’ he adds.”

A disability is only a disability if you allow it to be.

Here is a video about Down Syndrome and the things people say about it:

Featured image via Twitter.

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