It’s a weekday morning at Laradon’s Work Teams. Participants are slowly trickling in, and the room is starting to fill with an exciting buzz for the day. Everyone is thrilled to start that day at Laradon, yet one participant’s grin is impossible to miss. Meet David the “Tool Man.”
His smile grows as the sound of tools clinking together fills the corner where he’s already set up shop. In less than five minutes, David has claimed his workbench, his two Special Olympics medals quietly jingling as he picks up a flashlight to repair. With a focused eye and steady hands, he gets to work, ready not only to fix what’s broken, but also to brighten the day by helping others and making new friends.
The “Tool Man” has been a beloved member of the Laradon community for 35 years. His passion for fixing things is just one of the many qualities his friends and staff admire.
“David makes it worth coming in to work every day. He’s always smiling. He’s always working hard at our job sites, trying to do his best. He is everyone’s number one cheerleader,” Shelby a Laradon Direct Support Professional, said with a laugh.
David’s positive spirit and strong work ethic are infectious. His ability to diagnose a problem with a lamp is the same determination he uses to motivate his peers to complete a job together. This dedication was on full display in January when David helped lead his Laradon basketball team to a Special Olympics gold medal and his bowling team to a bronze. At both events, he could be found cheering on his teammates, encouraging them to be their best.
Ten months later, David still wears his medals with immense pride every single day.
“I like my medals,” he shared. ”I am proud of them. I like to show people.”
And show them, he has! In August, David showed off his medals in a TikTok video that quickly went viral, racking up over 56,000 views and 13,000 likes in just 48 hours. While many who find fame online often face negativity, the comments on David’s video were overwhelmingly positive, with people praising his hard work and sharing how he inspired them.
“He should be proud! He worked hard and earned them! Congrats to David,” wrote Alexix on David’s video.
“I love seeing them! We’re hoping my cousin will be in the next Special Olympics,” wrote another user.
Despite his newfound online fame, David hasn’t changed a bit.
“David still comes in every morning he works with his tools and when we’re out in the community, he’s always working hard, asking people questions, wanting to get to know everybody. And then when we come back, he’s ready to clean up and go home. He has not changed one bit,” Shelby shared.
Through it all, David’s quiet joy and unwavering kindness are a powerful reminder that true success isn’t just measured in medals or viral views, but in the simple, profound impact we have on the people around us every single day. He is, and will always be, Laradon’s champion.
By: Katey Lewicki, Communications Coordinator
