Dad buys ice-cream truck to create jobs for his two children with Down Syndrome

A father who was worried about job opportunities for his two children with Down Syndrome came up with a sweet idea - and bought an ice cream van where the pair could work.

Joe Wegener, from Loveland, Ohio runs with daughter Mary Kate 21, and son Josh, 18.

The business is called “Special Neat Treats” and was named by mum, Freida, as a tribute to those with special needs.

As well as providing their children with employment, the business also enables them to learn important life lessons such as finance, communication and social skills to provide customer service.

The ice cream van also provides the local community a better understanding of the various abilities disabled people are capable of.

It all began when Mary Kate had just finished her career pathways course and expressed that she’s always wanted to “work with papa.”

“Then once we started talking about this ice cream business, it was just a natural to bring her in and also bring Josh in,” the father of 10 told WLWT.

“Almost every time I go out I find a family with special needs or with something some connections, it’s just been an unbelievable journey.”

Special Neat Treats appears to be a hit with the community as the family have sold over 5,000 desserts so far.

Sharing his love for the sweet treat, Josh said: “We love ice cream and we all scream for ice cream.”

As the business goes from strength-to-strength in the greater Cincinnati area, Joel has plans for next summer to expand the convoy of trucks, WLWT reported.

“It’s much more than selling ice cream,” Wegener explained. “It’s about an experience for everybody, but to give my kids something to do and show other parents maybe there is something creative, out of the box that we can come up for our family and for our kids to do.”

You can visit the Special Neat Treats Facebook page here.