Ron has some challenges in this life. Physically his walking is labored and his strength is limited. That doesn't stop Ron.
Ron has done 3 or 4 routes at a time. With his short slow steps this takes a long time. Rain or shine my paper is delivered. At times it's not delivered on time because he has so many papers to deliver.
Over the years Ron has always used a shopping cart to haul his papers. Papers are very heavy . The shopping cart is very hard to push through snow and is awkward to maneuver around driveway approaches. Sometimes he puts maximum effort into pushing through snow. Sometimes people steal his shopping cart.
When Ron first started delivering my house number was on my paper. Ron's wife would go through each route and write the house number on the paper. This way papers were delivered accurately . Now he remembers all places to deliver. You get notes everyday as to new drops , cancelled subscriptions or people being away.
To add to Ron's challenge, he packs groceries at one of the grocery stores. That's how he gets the shopping cart.
Now Ron has fun doing papers. He likes to dress up for special days. So for most of Dec. he wears a Santa Claus hat. Have any of your paper boys worn a Santa Claus hat? So St. Patrick's he finds a green hat. Sometimes it's a flamboyant scarf!
Ron likes a visit and is always sharp with a kibitz. He tells me when the deer visit my house.
A few years ago the paper went to a night or early morning delivery where the routes would be much longer and vehicles would be used. Delivery people would pick their papers up from a central point. Good bye Ron. Ron doesn't have a car. However , Ron protested and insisted he be given a route. Well, they couldn't deny Ron. He picks papers up about 1:00AM. He delivers to my house around 2:00Am. Now that's a challenge. He has a short sleep and then he's off to pack groceries.
How do I know all this stuff about papers? I delivered papers for a couple of years in my retirement. It was a fun job...lots of good visits.
So , for somebody with handicaps. Ron does a super job. If more people were as persistent as Ron they'd be better off.
Wow! Ron is a reliable and consistent deliverer of the paper. Perhaps if I had had that kind of person I would still be getting a paper delivered to my door. I cut that service long, long ago because half the time my paper never arrived.
ReplyDeleteI think most papers changed their system because delivery became too unreliable.
DeleteIt is a tough job and one of my earlier jobs.I remember my dad telling me to wake him if weather was real cold. i never did, he always checked the thermometer when I left and sometimes picked me up.
ReplyDeleteI found that I was active enough and always kept warm.
DeleteI think it is important that people are allowed to contribute. So important.
ReplyDeleteYou have a key point. at some level people can contribute and that's what matters. When I took my paper route on at age 70 I felt like a million bucks!
DeleteWe have two papers delivered, one in the early morning and one in the evening. The early one person I never see, only hear a car coming at six o'clock when I am still in bed. It is a mysterious person for me. The other one is a man on a bike, I wave to him when he delivers. There are not many people here anymore who have a paper, most young people buy one or read on I-pads. It is a dying business I am afraid. You look very dapper with you paperbag!
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid our local paper will not last much longer. I enjoyed the paper route.
DeleteBravo Ron, for being so dependable! I was surprised to hear you still have on-foot delivery, as most papers long ago switched to auto routes. That's one reason most people don't have a "paper boy" anymore -- deliveries are done by car and circulation employees have to be able to drive. I'm glad Ron challenged the system and held on to his territory! (I also like his Canada hat.)
ReplyDeleteDon't mess with ron. He's stubborn. He also has a lot of support from his wife.
Deletebless him for his diligence and good attitude and for sticking up for himself. i do hope he remains safe - especially at those early hours!
ReplyDeleteIt's very safe here but I know he worries.
DeleteWhat a fun story. We've come a long way, now that people with disabilities aren't shut into institutions. I had many disabled students, physical, emotional and cognitive issues, and we integrated them all!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure they achieve much more in life when integrated not to mention happiness.
DeleteThanks for introducing me to Ron. He sounds like a person with a true desire to accomplish his goals. And good for the newspaper for keeping him working! :-)
ReplyDeleteHe has been delivering for a long time and has friends . they didn't let him down.
DeleteWay to go Ron! He doesn't let anything stop him. More people need to adopt his attitude.
ReplyDeleteOn rainy nights he's out for two hours.
DeleteThat's great service.
ReplyDeleteGreat service and once in awhile a good visit.
DeleteHi Red, Good for Ron. Sure wish there were more folks with Ron's attitude in this world! Does your paper have a digital edition? If so, do you ever see yourself switching over from print?
ReplyDeleteThe paper does have digital section. I still like paper but someday digital is all you're going to get.
DeleteI'm glad to hear the newspaper accommodated Ron after his long and faithful deliver service and he was able to keep his job. Employers aren't always that considerate.
ReplyDeleteHe has friends at the paper.
DeleteIt is such a good story. It was good to have a way to make a living and to stay strong in sometimes a very difficult job.
ReplyDeleteHe could qualify for assistance but is able to be independent.
DeleteRon sounds like someone with a remarkable work ethic. Wonderful!
ReplyDeleteHe's quite the character when packing groceries.
DeleteThat's a great story, one that warms the heart. There's a disabled man that pushes a grocery cart in my son's neighborhood. He picks up cans.
ReplyDeleteI would think Ron's tips are pretty good. I was amazed when I got tips for delivering. some people tipped every month.
DeleteRon sounds like quite the character and someone who has a wonderful work ethic. Good for him!
ReplyDeleteRon is a real chatterbox.
DeleteWe have paper deliverd to the apt. Very early like 6. Hubby is up to get it. He takes time to deliver other peoples papers on the floor.
ReplyDeleteYou may think. Why couldn't Sid walk across the road to get the paper.
He did at the start but for some reason the money is always getting jammed. Then some one mentioned if you get it delivered. You get it a bit cheaper. So that sounded a good idea. Yes cars are the travels with paper routes now a days. Our paper lady has to deliver three out of town places two days a week. Friday and Sat she is here at about 8.30. That is amazing your paper lad with a handicap to do that all those years. Bless him. Hey you are in good shape my man to deliver papers at that age.
What a wonderful, special person Ron is. Thank you for introducing him to us. I would love to have my paper delivered by him.
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