Labor of Love:

<span>CHESTER -- Wade Mehrer has been around the restaurant business all his life.</span>

<span>His mother, Jodie Mehrer, owns Jodie's Ol' Farmhouse Cafe and Bakery in Chester. As inventory manager, Wade takes his job very seriously.</span>

<span>"He knows everything," Jodie Mehrer said. "He knows my prices, he gets on the sales reps and as far as church goes, this kid knows the Bible better than most pastors.</span>

<span>"You name a verse and he can tell you where it is."</span>

<span>Wade has cerebral palsy. He was born premature, according to his mother, weighing just two pounds and three ounces at birth.</span>

<span>"His outlook on life wasn't very good," Jodie said. "But, he's done very well. He went to high school, graduated with his class and he helps me here."</span>

<span>Wade said his favorite thing about the business is the inventory department. He knows all the delivery drivers by name and likes to sign the bills.</span>

<span>He also knows all the employees' work schedules by heart.</span>

<span>"He lives the simple life," Jodie Mehrer said. "His goal is to come to church and come here. As far as anything else, he doesn't worry about it and takes it as it comes."</span>

<span>When asked if he would want his own restaurant one day, Wade's response was simple.</span>

<span>"No," he said.</span>

<span>"I've tried to get him into different places for training for him, but he wants no part of it," Jodie added.</span>

<span>Jodie said the pair recently went on a tour of food product distributor Sysco at its facility in St. Charles, Mo. Sysco has 194 locations worldwide and employs 50,300 people, according to its website.</span>

<span>"(Sysco) gave him the works," Jodie said. "They showed him how everything ran up there, he was a Facebook celebrity and got in the newsletter.</span>

<span>"They fixed us dinner and, yeah, it was Wade's day."</span>

<span>According to kidshealth.org, cerebral palsy is one of the most common congenital disorders of childhood. More than 500,000 children and adults of all ages in the U.S. have the condition.</span>

<span>"His left side doesn't work as well and as far as finding a regular job, he has his limitations to what he can do," Jodie said. "But his mind is all there."</span>

<span>The family connection is strong between the pair and Wade is a vital part of the business.</span>

<span>"I would be lost without him," Jodie said. "I'm just fortunate that I can take him with me.</span>

<span>"If I had a 8-to-5 job or a 9-to-5 job, I don't know what I would do.</span>

<span>"He's capable of staying at home by himself, although not for long periods of time. We live close, so he's able to stay at home and take care of himself."</span>