Disabled cashier helps others get around

Like OTHER cashiers at Nob Hill Foods in San Ramon, Josh Routh stands behind his counter and scans groceries for shoppers. What’s unique about Routh, though, is that he uses a wheelchair when he’s not working.

When working, “I stand up and hold the counter with my left hand,” said Routh, 30.

Routh was initially hired in 2000 to bag groceries, but showed such promise that he was promoted to cashier. Working at Nob Hill Foods allows him to live an independent life that his parents never imagined for him when they first learned he had cerebral palsy, a condition that in Routh’s case was caused by lack of oxygen to the brain during or just after his birth.

Don Routh, Josh’s father, said his son was adopted before any signs of the condition appeared.

“Ironically, we chose to adopt because my ex-wife had a genetic predisposition to having a disabled child,” he said.

Don recalls how doctors had predicted that his son would be a quadriplegic and unable to talk. With years of therapy and education, Josh progressed beyond expectations and even excelled at certain sports, including basketball.

To support his ability to work and live independently, Josh keeps in touch with a job coach provided through the Lafayette-based nonprofit Futures Explored. The agency’s mission is to provide life skills and work-related training to adults with developmental disabilities, as well as help those adults reach their fullest potential.

Outside of work, Josh finds time to help deliver wheelchairs in partnership with the Wheelchair Foundation and the Rotary Club of Pleasanton North, of which his father is a member.

“We’ve traveled together eight times to six countries,” said Don. “We’ve seen people arrive for their wheelchairs by truck, bus, on horseback, in a wheelbarrow, sometimes crawling, but most often carried by parents and siblings.”

The Rouths have traveled to Argentina, Bolivia, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama and Peru. This year they plan to travel with other Rotarians to Brazil and Chile, and bring the total of wheelchairs that Josh has helped deliver to 2,800.

“It’s a life-changing experience to help someone into a new wheelchair,” said Josh, who was named an honorary member of the Rotary Club.

The Rouths point out that as many as 100 million people worldwide need wheelchairs, though less than 1 percent have access to one. Through its partnerships, the Wheelchair Foundation purchases and delivers a wheelchair for a donation of just $150, a very affordable cost, said Don, who notes that a comparable wheelchair in Bolivia costs about $1,000.

Josh and his father also have accompanied Rotarians five times to support an orphanage in Baja California.

In fact, for Josh’s 30th birthday, his dad asked if he wanted to do something special, perhaps fly to Las Vegas.

But, “he said he had everything he needed and wanted to do something for the kids at the orphanage,” said Don.

As Don gathered the birthday money from family members, a friend in Rotary heard about Josh’s wish and donated $600. Soon the Rouths received more money and a check from the Rotary Club itself. By the time they were finished, they collected $3,600, which Josh recently delivered in person when Rotarians traveled to install a solar-powered well for the orphanage at Christmas.

Both Josh and his dad encourage anyone who would like to support their upcoming delivery of wheelchairs to consider making a $150 donation.

For details about donating, e-mail Don Routh at do******@co*****.net.