Born with cerebral palsy, which caused his left arm and leg to shorten, Richard Kemppe has never let it get him down. Although he was always guaranteed a job through his family’s home business, Fort Bragg’s KemGas, Richard wanted to branch out and find something on his own.

Richard worked early on with various agencies that assist the physically challenged in Mendocino County, including the Redwood Coast Regional Center and another Mendocino Works partner, the Ukiah Valley Association for Habilitation (UVAH). In fact, he gained employment through UVAH for several years before he began attending classes at Mendocino College.

His next venture with Mendocino Works began in 1979, when he obtained a position through North Coast Opportunities assisting people with disabilities in their homes. Due to funding, that job ended in 1981, and Richard worked at various odd jobs for many years after that.

Richard began working with Mendocino Works again in 1992 through the Department of Rehabilitation, who referred him to Goodwill Industries. Through the Employment and Training Division of Goodwill Industries, Richard obtained employment as a Goodwill Store cashier. Hearing that Wal-Mart needed temporary “greeters” during the holiday season, he soon found himself welcoming Christmas shoppers. Wal-Mart loved him, and as soon as his Goodwill training was finished, he became a cashier at Wal-Mart.

Goodwill furnished a job coach (at no cost to the employer) for the first few weeks, to ensure that Richard had some backup support. Althouh “very nervous” on his first day, having the job coach present, and great co-workers helped calm him down. He is now proudly serving his seventh year of employment with the super store. “I feel very good about myself down there—I do my job very well.”

Aimee Swearengin from Goodwill still assists Richard with some community access needs. Richard sums up his long-term success in a way we can all relate to: “I like to be as independent as possible, but sometimes I need a little help, and I’m not afraid to ask for it.”

Richard Kemppe