Autistic man Shaun Condon who was told he 'wouldn’t last one month' in his job is to retire after working 28 years for Newport Bus

Shaun Condon, 54, will be retiring as a cleaner at Newport Bus, on Corporation Road, this Friday.

When he took on the job there were many who doubted he would last a month.

That is because Mr Condon has autism.

Back in 1991, three years after Mr Condon, of Hendre Farm Drive, Ringland, started work, mum Daphne Condon contacted the then health reporter Nicole Garnon in a bid to help raise awareness of the importance of work for people with learning difficulties.

The event stuck in the memory not only of Mrs Condon but also of the now editor of the Argus.

Ms Garnon said: “It was a long time ago but I can remember doing the story and meeting both Shaun and his mum all those years ago.

“It is absolutely fantastic that they remembered our meeting and contacted us again so we could record his retirement.

“Mr Condon has definitely proved all the doubters wrong and stayed in the job he started back in 1989 with Newport Bus becoming a hard-working, loyal and popular member of the team.”

The original South Wales Argus article on Shaun Condon, 1991

Mrs Condon said she hoped news of her son’s retirement would continue to tackle stigma.

She said: “I contacted Ms Garnon to help others in Shaun’s position.

“I had heard too much over the years of ‘they can’t do this’ etc.

“Shaun is just like you and me and the only difference is that he has autism.

“People said that Shaun wouldn’t last one month in his job and now he’s retiring after 28 years.

“Shaun was lucky in getting a job but I know others aren’t.”

She added: “I hope this news will fight people’s prejudices.

“Employers should give people with learning difficulties a chance because, like Shaun, they’ll prove that they can do it.”

The 77-year-old said how proud she is of her son for his long-term commitment to his job.

“He’s a wonderful person and son,” said Mrs Condon .

“He loves his job at Newport Bus and I cannot believe that he’s retiring this week.”

The mother-of-two said she was also grateful to Newport Bus staff for showing care and loyalty to her son.

She said “I cannot tell you how highly he thinks of his job and his work colleagues.

“He loves it so much because they’re so nice to him.

“As Shaun’s mother I cannot thank his colleagues and friends enough for being so kind.

“They really have looked after him and that’s something I’ll always be grateful for.”

Mr Condon added he was going to miss his job.

“But I’m looking forward to retiring,” said Mr Condon. “I’m going to miss the people.

“I’m looking forward to spending time with my mum.”

Senior fleet engineer at Newport Bus Michael Diez, said it had been a “pleasure” to work with Mr Condon.

He said: “When he first came here Shaun would hardly talk to us and was very shy.

“But within a few years he was right at home and always looked forward to coming to work.

“He’s a larger than life character and we will miss him when he leaves.”