A man from La Crosse hopes his disability will not make him lose his job as a goalie at Walmart

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LA CROSSE, Wisconsin (WKBT) – A man with cerebral palsy in La Crosse is hoping his disability will not cost him his job on the south side of Walmart.

The company recently announced that it would change the terms of employment of its position, which worries him that he may soon lose his job.

If you often shop at Walmart on the south side of La Crosse, you've probably seen Kevin Pavek greet you with a smile at the door.

"I love my colleagues and the customers who arrive," Kevin said.

It's been around four years now that he's partying at Walmart, including 2.5 at La Crosse. He is a favorite among his colleagues and many customers. His mother can testify.

"Everyone absolutely loves Kevin," said his mother, Tes Schroeder.

And although he has cerebral palsy, that does not stop him from doing a job he likes. But Kevin is worried about his arrival as a greeter that ends soon.

"I was called in the office and told me that the secretary position would be eliminated."

The Walmart La Crosse store is one of thousands of stores across the country that are changing the responsibilities of its visitors, who will soon become distinguished guests.

Among the requirements of the new role, one must be able to lift 25 kg. and stand for your shift. Kevin says that's not possible for him.

"It's too much for me, yes, I can lift objects, my current lifting restriction is 20kg, but being able to move physically is too much," Kevin said. "I can do so much more than I deserve."

We contacted Walmart and they provided us with this statement:

"As we strive to constantly improve the experience of our customers, we will need to adjust roles from time to time. We have recently shared our plans to change the responsibilities of the home-buying role in some stores, which sometimes involves associates with disabilities. We recognize that our disabled associates with physical limitations face a unique situation. Keeping this in mind, we will extend the current 60-day transition period for disabled associates while exploring the circumstances and potential adaptations for each person in each store. This allows associates to continue working at the store as team members, while searching for a customized solution that is acceptable to everyone involved. "

Kevin hopes that new situations will be open to him, but for now, he is waiting in limbo.

"I am at school right now, I have bills to pay too, I can not leave without work."

Tes says, "It's not just a battle for Kevin, it's a battle for all of the US where there is a Walmart and Sam's Club." I will not give up, I am going to fight."

Kevin says he would like to stay welcoming, but he understands that positions may change, so he is ready to take up another job in the store. However, to date, management has told him that there are no other vacancies to meet his needs.

His mother simply hopes that any solution will involve all employees with disabilities in the business, not just Kevin. She even studies legal options in case she is not offered another job in the store.

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