Norwood Man Proves Handicap Doesn’t Limit Skills as Worker-October 7, 1969

: Frederick Jones Honored by Norwood Rotary Club

“I was a nervous wreck the first day on the job,” recalled Frederick Jones. “But now I can operate every machine in the shop.”

Though he is a polio survivor who also deals with arthritis in his hip and has had bones removed from one foot, “Fred”—as he is affectionately known by his co-workers—does not let physical obstacles stand in his way. Since starting work last May at L & M Precision Sheet Metal Fabricators in Norwood, Jones has proven that determination and grit can overcome any barrier.

Mastering the Shop Floor at L & M Precision

When Jones was first hired, company vice president Michael McDonough admitted he was initially hesitant about bringing a disabled man into an environment filled with heavy, dangerous machinery. However, Jones quickly dispelled those fears, establishing an unblemished safety record and proving to be an exceptionally careful and dedicated employee.

With the patience of his fellow workers, who treated the 15-man shop like “one big family,” Jones learned the ropes. He mastered every heavy machine in the facility, including drill presses, punch presses, power brakes, and an 8-foot sanding machine.

While company president Leslie Simon acknowledged that Fred ruined a few pieces of metal during his early training days, his relentless persistence paid off. “Fred is a loyal worker and they are hard to come by,” Simon pointed out. Going a step further, Simon remarked, “I would fill the whole shop with handicapped workers if they could prove to be as good as Fred Jones.” Summing up his hiring philosophy, Simon added, “Tomorrow I could be disabled for any reason and I would hope that someone would give me a chance.”

Jones and his wife, Katherine, reside at 34 St. John Avenue in Norwood and are the proud parents of two daughters, Patricia Ann (6) and Deborah Louise (4).

Honored by the Norwood Rotary Club

In recognition of his inspiring progress and workplace success, Jones was selected as the area’s outstanding handicapped worker of the year. He received his formal award last night during a special dinner sponsored by the Norwood Rotary Club held at Runeberg Hall in Norwood, marking the highlight of National Employ the Handicapped Week.

Also honored during the evening ceremony was Masoneilan International Inc. of Norwood, which received a special citation for its sustained commitment to hiring handicapped workers. Herbert Lang, employment and training manager at Masoneilan, noted that the firm currently employs roughly 10 handicapped individuals.

“In hiring the handicapped, employers should look at the things they can do and not the areas where they are disabled,” Lang explained, pointing out that deaf and mute workers excel at intricate instrument assembly, while others thrive in office environments.

The Broader Picture of Employment and Rehabilitation

Local employment advocates emphasize that Fred Jones’s success is part of a much larger national narrative. Edward M. Ghiz, manager of the Norwood Employment Office, noted that tracking exact local numbers for the disabled is difficult because many find employment independently or manage minor handicaps privately. However, through patience, cooperation, and rehabilitation, misconceptions regarding workplace safety hazards and productivity slowdowns are constantly being dismantled.

Federal studies underscore the vast untapped potential across the nation:

• Over 5.5 million mentally retarded adults live in the U.S., with an estimated 3 million possessing direct job potential in routine skilled and unskilled roles that often fail to hold the interest of non-retarded workers.
• Veterans hospitals across the country continue to receive servicemen returning with injuries from Vietnam, representing an enormous pool of brilliant minds and capable hands awaiting proper rehabilitation.
• National Social Security figures indicate there are roughly 18 million disabled adults nationwide; while some face severe limitations, the vast majority possess the courage, determination, and faculties to hold meaningful full- or part-time employment when given a fair chance.

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger