Joemar Has a Lot to Say

Anyone who has been to visit CSC for any length of time knows Joemar. CSC is Joe's home. It has been now for 24 years. If you don't know Joe, he came to CSC when he was just short of his 9th birthday. Joemar, who has special needs, was clearly traumatized when he came to CSC and didn't really talk. We weren't sure if it was because of the trauma he had gone through or if he had some speech impediment. All these year's later, Joemar still isn't able to speak clearly. But it doesn't keep him from trying. Touch on a subject close to Joemar's heart and he can ramble on for quite a long time including demonstrative hand gestures, creative sound effects, and entertaining facial expressions. In fact, Joemar has a lot to say. Those who are wise will listen closely.

Joemar starts each day with the same enthusiasm he has had every other day in his life. His cognitive limitations have never limited his desire to live each day to the fullest and to be happy doing whatever he is doing at the moment. Every single day is a happy day for Joemar. Any visitor worth their salt can tell you about Joemar's smile, his laugh, and his willingness to help out with anything he is asked to do. Nothing is work for Joemar if he's doing it elbow to elbow with someone else. I don't think he has ever felt limited by what other's may see as his limitations.

Joemar is also a very kind and caring young man. If you know Joe, you also know he works three short shifts a week at McDonald's. Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday he is in his uniform early and ready to be taken down the hill to catch a ride on a jeepney to work. Joemar takes his work at McDonald's (clearing trays, cleaning tables, and pouring extra gravy for those customers with fried chicken) very seriously. He takes a lot of pride in wearing the uniform and doing his best to serve others every minute he's at his job. It's important work Joemar does.

And each day before he leaves his work, Joemar gets to bring home lunch: McDonald's spaghetti and a Coke. This is very important to him as it should be - part of a man's pay for doing a good day's work. But more often than not, Joemar won't eat that spaghetti himself. He saves it to give to his good buddy, Wilmar, a young boy with special needs that Joemar has kept under his wing since he came to CSC eight years ago.

If you don't know Joemar well, you might just notice he doesn't really talk too clearly. But Joemar's got a lot to say about enthusiasm, happiness, helpfulness, a good work ethic, and kindness for his fellow man.