Blind, hearing-impaired Zach Grabowski shines with Three Rivers Rowing

Zach Grabowski doesn’t let his lifelong disabilities define him.

Instead, the 32-year-old avid competitive rower works a part-time job at a pizza shop in West Deer, earning money to support his rowing endeavors with the adaptive team of Three Rivers Rowing Association in Pittsburgh.

Grabowski was born blind, hearing impaired and is on the autism spectrum.

He wears a hearing aid in one ear and has a cochlear implant in the other.

His love of the water began at a young age and continued at Shaler Area High School, where he graduated in 2011.

“I was in a handicapped swim program at Shaler and I was learning to build strength and confidence, and a volunteer there suggested I learn to row,” Grabowski said. “It’s a lot of fun, and I prefer to be out on the river.”

A sighted volunteer assists during rowing to help Grabowski steer the boat he shares with other disabled team members.

He has been rowing for 18 years and will compete this month at a rowing event in Philadelphia.

“I’m so excited to go there. It’ll be my first time,” Grabowski said.

Grabowski has worked at Fox’s Pizza Den in West Deer’s Russellton section for almost two years.

He landed the job after meeting the son of Fox’s owner Chad Shaffer and inquiring about employment.

He works mostly behind the scenes at a large table that can accommodate his tasks.

His job duties include folding about 75% of the boxes used at the eatery, phoning in produce orders and packing and weighing out cheese and other food products using an adapted “talking” weighing machine that provides an ounce count audibly that he can follow to fill bags to the appropriate weight.

His favorite work activity?

“Eating,” Grabowski joked. “I like the Buffalo chicken, white sauce and pickle/bacon pizzas.”

Co-worker Teige Townsend of Frazer works with Grabowski and praised his work ethic.

“I love when Zach works because he folds all the boxes and makes everyone’s jobs easier,” Townsend said. “I relate to him a lot because I’m also autistic. He’s a hard worker and having Zach here makes life easy.”

Access transportation provides specialized rides for elderly or handicapped individuals and shuttles Grabowski to work.

“My future goal is to work out in the front of the store greeting customers,” Grabowski said.

A talking computer program for the blind dubbed Jaws talks to Grabowski and he can browse the Internet, email and more.

Shaffer recently organized a fundraiser in Zach’s honor to raise money for his rowing pursuits and posted it to the business’ Facebook page.

The fundraiser’s goal is to raise needed funds to finance Grabowski’s expenses involved with rowing, including his dues and travel expenses.

“I’d like to get some special equipment for the adaptive team,” Grabowski said.

The fundraiser is “blowing up” according to Shaffer, and folks have been stopping by the pizza shop to donate money or gift baskets that will be raffled off Sept. 21.

“I’m just trying to help out an organization that helps out Zach because he’s so great. When he first came here to work, it blew my mind seeing all the stuff he can do,” Shaffer said. “He’s fantastic. I’ve learned not to judge a book by its cover. He can do almost anything, and all you have to do is take the time to teach him something. He has flourished here, and he makes everyone around here smile.”

Grabowski is enjoying the excitement surrounding the fundraiser.

“It makes me feel really special,” he said of the attention the fundraiser has garnered. “It’s a little overwhelming but in a good way.”

When he’s not rowing or working, Grabowski enjoys fishing, socializing, going to parties, dining out and visiting with family and friends.

Grabowski lives with his mother in Lawrenceville.

Courtesy of Fox’s Pizza Den

A fundraiser for Zach Grabowski is scheduled for Sept. 21 at Fox’s Pizza Den in West Deer.