© 2024 Connecticut Public

FCC Public Inspection Files:
WEDH · WEDN · WEDW · WEDY · WNPR
WPKT · WRLI-FM · WEDW-FM · Public Files Contact
ATSC 3.0 FAQ
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Former Sacred Heart Employee Alleges Discrimination After Dementia Diagnosis

Jackson Mitchell
/
WNPR
An athletic field at Sacred Heart University.

An athletic facilities director at Sacred Heart University is alleging that he was unfairly fired after he told the school -- in the interest of full disclosure -- that he’d been diagnosed with dementia. 

Gary Reho filed suit in U.S. District Court earlier this month, charging that the Fairfield-based school is in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

When there’s a diagnosis of dementia, how long should someone continue to hold onto a job? It’s a tough question, and the answer may differ for each person, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Considerations include: the degree of impairment, the demands of the job, tolerance of the employer and acceptance by co-workers.

Reho was first hired by Sacred Heart in 1990 as a football coach. Six years later, he became associate director of athletics, and a year after that was appointed Director of the William Pitt Health and Recreation Center and Athletic Facilities.

According to the complaint, just after his diagnosis his doctor wrote, “Mr. Reho’s cognitive functioning and emotional well-being will be improved by returning to work.”

Reho passed along to Sacred Heart, his doctor’s recommendations for modifications to his job duties.

But the suit alleges that despite phone calls and letters between his doctor and university authorities, Reho was terminated from his position in 2015.

In a statement to WNPR, Sacred Heart authorities write:  "We are confident that when the facts come out during the discovery process that Mr. Reho's claims will be deemed unfounded.  Because of the ongoing litigation, we cannot provide any additional information at this time".  

Diane Orson is a special correspondent with Connecticut Public. She is a longtime reporter and contributor to National Public Radio. Her stories have been heard on Morning Edition, All Things Considered, Weekend Edition and Here And Now. Diane spent seven years as CT Public Radio's local host for Morning Edition.
Harriet Jones is Managing Editor for Connecticut Public Radio, overseeing the coverage of daily stories from our busy newsroom.

Stand up for civility

This news story is funded in large part by Connecticut Public’s Members — listeners, viewers, and readers like you who value fact-based journalism and trustworthy information.

We hope their support inspires you to donate so that we can continue telling stories that inform, educate, and inspire you and your neighbors. As a community-supported public media service, Connecticut Public has relied on donor support for more than 50 years.

Your donation today will allow us to continue this work on your behalf. Give today at any amount and join the 50,000 members who are building a better—and more civil—Connecticut to live, work, and play.

Related Content