09/01/2026
AN OPEN LETTER TO EFFINGHAM COUNTY & PLANET FITNESS
I had ZERO intention of making this public. I wanted this handled privately, respectfully, and like adults. Unfortunately, after my son was treated poorly, I was disrespected, and promises were made and then ignored, here we are.
My son, Xander, is 19, special needs, and has learning and reading delays. He is also kind, hardworking, loves people, and has spent the last four years volunteering in our community and church.
Before Xander applied at the Planet Fitness in Rincon, I spoke with manager Jamie. Jamie knew about Xander’s disability and encouraged him to interview. Xander prepared for three days, gathered references, interviewed, and was hired ON THE SPOT. Jamie even called me afterward to tell me how great he did.
I explained that Xander had an upcoming school internship and would need to remain part-time. Jamie said that was no problem.
Then school started.
Xander specifically asked not to be scheduled the first three days because school bus routes are unpredictable. Sure enough, on the first day, his bus was late. He was scheduled at 4:00. He became overwhelmed because he knew he might miss work. Since students’ phones don’t work reliably at school, he asked his teacher to let him call Jamie and explain.
He communicated. He did what he was supposed to do.
Jamie told him he would still be held accountable.
Xander called me upset, so I called Jamie. After weeks of communicating with me about Xander’s hiring, schedule, availability, and onboarding, Jamie suddenly decided he didn’t need to speak to me because Xander was an adult.
Then he HUNG UP ON ME.
I called back thinking the call had dropped.
It hadn’t.
Jamie told me, “No, I hung up on you.”
Xander later spoke with Jamie himself and ultimately decided he didn’t want to work for or with him anymore. I respected that decision. I’m never going to force my son to stay somewhere he’s uncomfortable.
I contacted Angelique, Jamie’s area manager. She listened, offered Xander the opportunity to return, and said Jamie would apologize.
Xander declined because he didn’t want to work with Jamie.
Still, I agreed to resolve the situation like adults. Angelique, Jamie, and Xander were supposed to have a conversation. Jamie would apologize. Xander would have the opportunity to apologize for becoming overwhelmed. Both would take accountability and move forward.
I was told this would happen within about a week.
That was TWO WEEKS AGO.
Nothing.
No meeting. No call. No resolution. Just silence.
So let me be very clear: THIS IS NOT ABOUT GETTING XANDER’S JOB BACK.
It’s about accountability. It’s about keeping your word. And it’s about how young adults are treated in the workplace.
I’ve worked in the service industry for approximately 25 years. Maybe I’m old-fashioned, but I was raised to SAY WHAT YOU MEAN AND DO WHAT YOU SAY.
To the parents of Effingham County: pay attention to where your young adults work and who is responsible for them. Special needs or not, they deserve respect.
Based on what my son and I personally experienced, I would not encourage any young adult in Effingham County to work for Planet Fitness, especially the Rincon location while Jamie remains in charge.
That’s MY opinion based on MY experience.
I gave Planet Fitness the opportunity to handle this privately. I gave them the opportunity to resolve it respectfully. I gave them the opportunity to keep their word.
They didn’t.
Maybe this is just a small pebble. But even a small pebble makes a ripple.
And sometimes that ripple is exactly what gets people’s attention.
I’m paying attention. I hope Planet Fitness is, too.
Planet Fitness
