I do job development for persons with varying abilities and disabilities. If other companies would follow Walgreen's lead, many more persons with valuable skills would be working. I struggle everyday trying to find employers who are open to hiring persons with varying skills. It is just a good business decision to hire these individuals, and watch them and the company that they work for prosper.

I think that this is a wonderful Idea because there is no such thing as an Equal opportunity Employer these days. I should know, I am a professional with a disability and it is sad to have a Masters degree and be treated like I didn't make it out of elementry school. It was a waste of over 100,000.00
in tuition to attend Northeastern University for Seven years and once you disclose your disability, you have been labled and just put aside. Its sickening. So I think It's great what is being done for these disABLED, because they work twice as hard and are more dedicated to their work.

I would love to start a business and just hire those with disabilities. Feel free to contact me

As the mother of a 9 year old son with a developmental disability, I watched your story with tears in my eyes. Like the parents in your story, I worry about my sons future and hope that when he reaches adulthood he can find meaningul work. Your story was reassuring that employment can be a reality for people of all abilities.

I have a 25 year old son diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Disorder (or Aspergers?) He (and I) live on a roller coaster of ups and downs wondering if he will ever find his place in this world. He's very intelligent, loves to study maps and read about different cultures. He is fluent in Spanish and speaks some French, Russian, etc. (self taught). He desperately wants to have a "normal" life and friends but can't overcome the panic attacks he experiences when he tries to venture out. We couldn't find 'his place' in public school where he was tossed between regular and special ed. classes. He couldn't sit and write for hours as required in the regular classroom, yet the special ed. classes were filled with aggressive students with behavioral problems. Now I wonder if his agoraphobia and panic developed from the horrible experiences he had while in school. Thanks for the story and thanks to Walgreen's for reaching out to those with disabilities!!

Last evening, I had the privilege of watching the Brian Williams NBC newscast about the Walgreen Company and its policy of hiring the disadvantaged. It almost brought me to tears.

As the father of a 37 year old son with a learning disability, I must commend Walgreen's on its policy. My son, who has worked for me for most of his adult life, is my most productive and responsible employee. He is the first one in to work in the morning and the last one out in the evening. He is never late and is rarely sick. He is the one employee on whom I can count the most.

I know that Mr. Lewis is the father of a handicapped child. In an era in which there is so much corporate greed, often at the expense of good workers, the Walgreen policy is truly an example for every American company to follow. What Walgreen is doing is not only sound corporate policy; it is exemplary for its sheer goodness and humanity. Mr. Lewis' son can truly be proud of his dad and his company can truly be proud of him.

If God exists, there will be a special place in heaven for Mr. Lewis.

The story of Randy Lewis & family turning personal heartache into happiness for their son, their family, and countless other families was excellent! Great job on this inspiring segment and to all who contributed!

My husband and I got choked up over this story, and gave each other a big hug afterwards. We are so touched and thankful for this joyful news. It makes us want to shop at Walgreen's!

Thanks for an excellent, uplifting report! More companies should have a program like Walgreen's so the physically and mentally challenged can make their abilities known.

Thank you for the wonderful story about Walgreens hiring people with disabilities and the success it has brought to the company! As a teacher who works with students with significant disabilities high school age to 21, a primary focus is helping students learn skills that will enable them to lead meaningful and productive lives as adults. One of the most difficult barriers to their success is finding employers who will give them the opportunity to work, so thank you once again for sharing the message that people with disabilities make some of the best employees a business can hire!

I actually told my wife the same thing. If I had Cancer, at least people would see it as a valid life threatening disease. So many diseases don't show their effects as an obvious disability, and sometimes you just want people to understand how much your disease effects you, even if it isn't cancer.

This is exactly the way we need to run our businesses. As a small business owner I fully support hiring employees of all abilities to perform jobs at an equal pay scale. We have always paid our associates above minimum wage. In Arizona there are debates going on regarding the new higher minimum wage law and some are arguing that more challenged, special needs employees should be paid less than the less challenged employees performing the same duties. Some employers say that they will be put out of business if they have to pay special needs employees the new higher minimum wage. How refreshing to see Mr. Lewis and Walgreens doing the right thing and treating all employees equally. God Bless Mr. Lewis and Walgreens for doing the right thing. I commend you Mika, your editors, news managers/directors and NBC Universal for bringing National/International attention to such a great example.

Thanks for the positive story concerning employmentf or people with disabilities. As a blind workerw ho is involved in teaching others howt o use computer software enablingt hem to do work, I am heartened by this approach to a company.

I understand how those parentsf eel now that their children can do meaningful work. I also hope however that in the otherasp ects of their lives these parents can do what they need to prepare their dault children for life without them. The worstt hing that parents of people with disabilities can do is not to prepare their children to be as independentasp ossible thinking they or someonew ill always be able to care for them.

My brother has been mentally disabled since the day he was born. He is a productive, giving, caring human being who has so much to offer. He lives in a group home in upstate NY and works in a sheltered workshop who does give him his chance. This story about Walgreen's drives home the point of giving a person who is different a chance! As a consumer, I know I will do everything to support Walgreen's endeavor. Thank you for sharing this story and thank you to Walgreen's!

My 20-year-old son would love to work at this place! His diagnosis is Pervasive Developmental Disorder (under the autism umbrella), with motor impairments thrown in. He's thrilled when he works and feels useful. What a gift Randy Lewis has given these employees.

THANK YOU, Brian, for stories of those who care for
what most consider "the least of these." You can't imagine how the burden lifts when parents see special needs adults functioning well- and happily- in a regular workplace.

I loved the Camp Victory story last week, too. Perhaps this one should be called Job Victory.

I think everyone should be given a chance to prove
their self worth. Just because a person has a disability does not mean they are incapable of performing tasks just as well as an able bodied person
as long as things are explained properly. They do
deserve a chance to experience life!