Posted on: Tuesday, November 30, 2004
Laid-off worker in need of bed, linens
By Karen Blakeman
Advertiser Staff Writer
"R.R.," 55, has cerebral palsy. It slows him down a little, but he's never let it stop him.
That changed in March.
For the past 12 years, R.R. had been doing administrative work at a large, locally based company. The company was having financial problems, and positions were being cut.
R.R. said he'd worked his regular shift on a Friday in March. Fifteen minutes before he was to go home, his supervisors called him into an office.
"They said your position has been terminated," he said. "They said your services are no longer needed."
R.R. said he'd work for less pay. His supervisors said no. He said he'd work fewer hours. Again, his supervisors said no.
"Handicapped or not," R.R. said, "when your number comes up, it comes up."
He was devastated.
To donate, send checks payable to "The Advertiser Christmas Fund" to Helping Hands Hawai'i, P.O. Box 17780, Honolulu, HI 96817. Monetary donations also may be dropped off at any First Hawaiian Bank branch. Goods can be donated at the Community Clearinghouse at 2100 N. Nimitz Highway, near Pu'uhale Road. For details, call 440-3804. He went on unemployment and searched for months for another job. He put in a lot of effort, but turned up nothing.
"It's pretty hard at my age," he said. "I'm pretty good, but I'm not fast in typing or whatever."
His unemployment benefits ended at the end of September. R.R. moved into a room at his sister's house and began collecting Social Security disability benefits.
His check is $870 a month. R.R. says he'll make do.
The hard part, he said, is trying to adjust to not having a job.
"I've just got to go on with my life," he said. "I like to work but. ..."
Last month, R.R. got some good news. He got an apartment. It's for people with disabilities, and it isn't far from his sister's place.
"It's a nice apartment," he said.
R.R. said he needs a twin bed and pillows, blankets and linens.
"I'm picking up and starting life anew," he said.
• • •
Recent donations to The Advertiser Christmas Fund
Total $960
Previous total $1,055
Total to date $2,015
"I've been working for 35 years," R.R. says.
"Everything was just upside down," he said.
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