Chris Emery worried he may have done something wrong when he found out Feb. 4 he would not be welcomed back to a job he has held for 12 years at Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom.

If you’ve ever been to Dorney, you may have seen the of Longswamp Township, Berks County, resident cleaning the bathrooms, sweeping, handing out maps and giving directions to guests.

A 2006 Brandywine HS graduate, Chris first heard about the job at Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom through family friends.

He learned life skills at Berks Career and Technology Center - cooking, washing dishes and completing outside work, such as using a leaf blower and lawn mower and picking up sticks. He graduated with his friends at age 18.

Each year Chris interviewed at the park, Claudia Emery was permitted to sit with her son during the interview process.

On Feb. 4, Claudia was not permitted in the interview.

During that interview, Chris was asked to write words and draw pictures about Dorney Park, read flash cards about guest problems and explain how to solve those problems, and build a train out of Legos.

Claudia said her son had difficulty reading the flash cards and building the train.

“The interview process was not set up for special needs kids,” Claudia said.

Because he wouldn’t interact and build a train out of LEGOs, he was told he does not fit into what they were looking for, Claudia said.

Chris was also told he could come back in 30 days and interview again.

During an interview at his home Feb. 5, Chris proudly showed his multiple awards earned while at Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom.

Working 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays, Chris never called in sick.

Claudia said she heard other special needs interviewees had the same difficulty with the new interview process.

A friend of Chris shared the story on social media Feb. 4. It received thousands of views and shares.

On Feb. 5, the Emerys heard from a representative of Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom, who also posted on social media in response to the social media outrage.

“We respect, value and appreciate all of our dedicated associates. I’ve known Chris for many years, and when I became aware of this situation, I requested that we immediately reach out to him and his family to let them know that we would happily welcome Chris back for a 13th season,” wrote Mike Fehnel, vice president and general manager of Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom.

Fehnel apologized and told Claudia her son would have his job for the upcoming season and said he would not have to go through any more interviews.

Calls to Dorney had not been returned prior to press time.

Claudia told Fehnel she could not give an answer about her son’s return to the park.

“He is a marked target now,” she said in the interview at her home. “Everyone knows.”

Chris said he didn’t know how to feel after learning he would not have a job at Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom this summer.

“Did I do something wrong?” he wondered.

After assurances by his family he did nothing wrong, Chris said at this point he does not think he wants to go back.

The family has season passes to the park and will continue to visit the park because Chris likes going there.

“Now I am going to just be a guest, so I’ll be able to play games,” Chris said.

Claudia said Chris has already received several job offers.

“He likes to work and likes feeling independent,” Claudia said.

Smiling, Chris proudly showed his employee of the week awards, employee of the month awards and a special cornerstone award that is very difficult to earn. This award was accompanied by a $50 gift card.

The certificate of recognition was awarded to him “in recognition of your successful completion of the Dorney Park Cornerstone Program. Thank you for your continued efforts in upholding Cedar Fair’s principles of Safety, Service, Courtesy, Cleanliness and Integrity.” The award was signed by Jason McClure, vice president and general manager of Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom, Oct. 22, 2010.

Also on display are his service pins earned for the last 12 years.

Putting the difficult Dorney interview behind him, Chris is looking forward to Valentine’s Day this coming weekend, when he will attend the Tim Tebow Foundation Night to Shine at Hope Community Church in King of Prussia. The event is an “unforgettable prom night experience, centered on God’s love, for people with special needs at host churches across the country,” according to the foundation’s website. The event takes place on the same weekend at 44 churches in 26 states and three countries.

When Chris learned that the gentlemen will be named “kings” and the ladies will be named “queens,” his eyes sparkled and his constant smile broadened.