McDonald's employee with Down’s Syndrome gets an amazing retirement party after 32 years
She worked there five days a week.
Freia David from Needham, Massachusetts has worked at McDonald's for 32 years, so when she decided to retire they made sure she had a proper send off.
Freia, who has Down's Syndrome, started working at the McDonald's branch in 1984 through an innovative program to place adults with cognitive disabilities in community jobs.
She worked her way up from wiping counters and refilling ketchup dispensers and after six months of training she was given the chance at the French fry station, where she has been working ever since five days a week.
To celebrate her long service and retirement McDonald's put up a sign outside inviting the public to come in and join in the celebrations.
Local press, friends, neighbours and family all turned up to say goodbye to the valued employee.
Freia was presented with two cakes, a silver necklace with a fry-carton pendant, a cut-crystal model of the restaurant, photo collages and a stack of cards. © Getty Images
Her spritely 90-year-old mum Anneliese was there to join in the celebrations and was totally overwhelmed by the turnout,
"I’m speechless, I expected a party, but not a party like this" she said.
Anneliese suggested that her daughter retired from her position after she noticed signs of forgetfulness. Early onset dementia is common among people with Down's Syndrome and Anneliese was worried about her daughter's safety around the fryer.