03/23/2026

Not Your Average Neighbor: Local resident with a developmental disability inspires community, shows power of consistency and work ethic

Alex Taylor

Roughly one in four adults in the U.S. lives with some type of disability, yet many remain underrepresented in the workforce.

In honor of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month in this weeks Not Your Average Neighbor I want to introduce you to one local man who’s changing that, one shift at a time.

21-year-old Raymond Cooper works full-time as a dishwasher at Franciscan University’s Parkhurst Dining Hall. He says being part of the workforce isn’t exactly what he expected.

“Pretty weird, you get used to it after a while.” - Raymond Cooper

Raymond has a developmental disability, but when I asked him to describe himself, he shared only the best qualities.

“I like being on time, smiling and stuff, and being happy all the time.” - Raymond Cooper

You heard him right. Being on time, smiling, and choosing to stay happy; the kind of traits any employer would be lucky to have.

And in a job where things are constantly piling up, Raymond just keeps showing up ready, consistent, and putting in the work.

“We clean them we put stuff through the machine. We also get stuff in the kitchen and then clean that and then put the stuff back in the kitchen…I started at the JVS. They brought me up three times a week and then after that, I got a job application for here and then I’ve been here for three years.” - Raymond Cooper

In fact, the only time he’s ever been corrected on the job was for being too early.

“Raymond is an excellent worker.” - Elyzabeth Grimm – Community Employment Specialist, Jefferson County Board of Developmental Disabilities

And stories like his are exactly why community employment specialist Elyzabeth Grimm says opening doors for people with developmental disabilities matters.

“It’s very instrumental. I actually have a five-year-old on the spectrum…I feel like autism can bring a joy and a dedication that you don’t see on average. And I feel like that dedication and hard work is shown by who he is raised by, his grandparents, his dad, and his community in the church.” - Elyzabeth Grimm – Community Employment Specialist, Jefferson County Board of Developmental Disabilities

And outside of work that same dedication carries over. Whether he’s helping his grandfather, spending time at church, or playing guitar

So plate after plate, shift after shift Raymond isn’t just cleaning up, he’s building a routine rinsed clean of all outside expectations of himself.

“Like it, what could you imagine, what can you imagine anymore, that your child is a perfect product of the community and being raised and being part of that community and being involved. I couldn’t imagine anything better.” - Elyzabeth Grimm, Community Employment Specialist, Jefferson County Board of Developmental Disabilities

So while Raymond is showing up, clocking in and doing the job, he’s also quietly showing others what’s possible. And for Elyzabeth, that example hits especially close to home.

“I feel like Raymond is the perfect example of what it should be, and I hope that my son is exactly like Raymond one day.” - Elyzabeth Grimm, Community Employment Specialist, Jefferson County Board of Developmental Disabilities