Each October, National Disability Employment Awareness Month recognizes the many contributions people with disabilities make to America’s workplaces and economy. In this article, we share the impact employment has made for one man with a disability, as well as highlighting a national nonprofit that empowers nearly four million people with disabilities to dream bigger, push further and celebrate the champions within themselves.
Grilling is Steve Brown’s love language.
But after a recent three-day stretch preparing hamburgers, hotdogs and pork for 300-plus people, even he needed to step away from his spatula for a day.
“It was a lot of cookin’ in one week – and a lot of fun,” said Brown. “I said, ‘I’m not cooking anything on Saturday. We ordered pizza and watched the Razorback game.”
Whether it involves celebrating his Regions Bank teammates during Evergreen Week, or serving Little Rock, Arkansas, community members after natural disaster strikes as it did in March 2023, you’re likely to find Brown, a Technology Field Services technician for Central Arkansas, helming the grill.
So, when he learned about the chance to support a nonprofit that serves a good friend by feeding people four years ago, Brown immediately grabbed his apron.
Brown at the grill with Newman during the recent Special Olympics Arkansas fundraiser.
It was a lot of cookin’ in one week – and a lot of fun. Steve Brown, a Technology Field Services technician for Central Arkansas
The nonprofit? Special Olympics Arkansas, which cohosts an annual golf benefit where Brown volunteers as grill master. The friend? Derek Smith, his neighbor and a Special Olympics Arkansas singles and doubles tennis gold medal winner who has Downs Syndrome. The two immediately bonded over sports.
“Derek and I met when we played cornhole during a crawfish boil at their house eight years ago,” said Brown. “He was wearing a Philadelphia Eagles jersey, and I said, ‘Hey, I’m an Eagles fan, too.’”
The two have been inseparable each weekend since, catching both professional and college games. Just ask Kara Newman, Derek’s mom and a 35-year Special Olympics Arkansas volunteer.
“They go get wings, watch football and have a blast,” said Newman. “It’s fun to watch them. Steve has taken him under his wing; for Derek, it means having a best friend. They are tight; I think they talk every day.”
Yes, even on non-football days, you can often spot the two together. Brown helps Smith get to and from his job bussing tables at Hogg’s Meat Market, a place Smith says he loves because of all the friends he’s made with co-workers and customers.
Newman says the job has also given her son something else.
Steve has taken him under his wing; for Derek, it means having a best friend. They are tight; I think they talk every day.Kara Newman, Derek’s mom and a 35-year Special Olympics Arkansas volunteer
“It’s provided him with a sense of having to be somewhere,” she explained. “It’s that social acceptance and wanting to be part of a community, something we all want. When Derek earns even a $1 tip, it makes his day. It gives him self-worth.”
Brown, who occasionally grabs lunch at the restaurant before picking up Smith, has seen Smith’s transformation since he started two years ago.
“This gives him purpose,” said Brown. “You can see more confidence in him. He loves everybody at work, and everybody loves him. I call him ‘working man.’ He loves it.”
Smith’s involvement in Special Olympics Arkansas the past 30-plus years has instilled the same sense of self-worth and community his job has – and more.
“The number one thing is independence,” said Newman, who notes over 15,000 athletes participate in Special Olympics across Arkansas. “Derek has been doing this since he was eight. He’s traveled the world. Special Olympics has given him a place of belonging and of being loved. It’s also taught him self-sufficiency, how to communicate and about winning and losing. It’s family to him.”
And so is Brown.
Derek wearing two of the medals he’s earned during the Special Olympics Arkansas games. Smith has participated in the games for over 30 years.
“He’s always smiling, greeting me with a high five,” said Brown. “He’ll say, ‘What are we doing today?’ For some reason, he loves Steve Brown.”
The feeling is mutual.
“Derek is fun, outgoing and loving – and he can be a character, too,” said Brown. “He makes me a better person; he never has a bad day. I could have the worst day, but when I go pick up ‘D,’ it all changes.”
Newman hasn’t just seen the special connection the two have; she’s the first to tell you she and many others are better from the special bond they’ve created.
“Because he’s Derek’s friend, he’s my friend,” she said of Brown. “Steve is a very good guy, and he and his wife are such troupers about helping us with the golf outing. Grilling is hard, sweaty, miserable work, but Steve loves doing it; he loves giving. Regions being willing to let Steve do that is such a benefit to the community. We’ve all benefitted from it.”