When Eileen Gold Kushner began working at a McDonald’s 37 years ago, she was told she would never progress past making french fries and milkshakes. She always had trouble processing what she was learning, but never knew why until she was an adult.

Eventually, she took on the challenge of taking customers’ orders.

With the help of her husband, Larry, Gold Kushner practiced at home with empty burger boxes and cups, adding up orders and giving change before the advent of computerized registers.