Palmerton woman who was paralyzed in a 2014 car crash can’t forget a humorous letter she penned to the owners of Leiby’s Ice Cream House and Restaurant.

“A few years ago, I wrote a note to Helen (Leiby) saying that I wanted to work here,” said Emily Brong, 27. “I told her what I wanted my payment to be — a brownie sundae.”

Recently, Brong was hired by the South Tamaqua eatery. And even though she’s not paid in scoops of ice cream and fresh baked brownies, she’s enjoying every moment.

“They love me for who I am. They say it is a pleasure having me here,” said Brong, who was 15 years old when she suffered a traumatic brain injury in the Franklin Township crash and relies on a wheelchair.

As a hostess, Brong greets diners, seats them and distributes menus.

“I give them place mats and utensils,” she said. “I tell them the specials are on the back (of the menus) and tell them that we have a salad bar.”

She then advises them that someone from the waitstaff will be with them — but frequently checks in to make sure they have everything they need.

“It’s very good for me to be sociable — and it helps with my speech therapy,” Brong noted. “Even when customers are eating I will go and ask them how they are doing — and I have been getting a lot of compliments.”

A customer even passed her a generous tip as she was on her way out.

Despite having limited mobility, Brong works unassisted.

“She does everything by herself,” said Brong’s nurse, Tamie Sturgis, Tamaqua. “I don’t follow her around. She does have to have nursing here (because of the brain injury and a seizure disorder) but I sit here and she does it herself.”

Even when coworkers ask if they can lend Brong a helping hand, she informs them that she has it under control.

“If I catch them trying to do anything, I tell them that it is my job and I can do it,” Brong said.

Brong had been visiting Leiby’s for many years as a customer, and got to know the Leiby family and many regular customers.

“She calls Helen her ‘BFF’ (best friend forever),” Sturgis said.

Brong said she often talked about her desire to work there.

Her wish came true just before Thanksgiving.

Brong was hired through a partnership with Leiby’s and the AHEDD Agency of Camp Hill and the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation in Carbon County.

She aced a work assessment and was hired on the spot by Leiby.

In the few weeks since she’s been on the job, Brong has developed quite a following.

“They’re coming in and asking for her,” Leiby said. “She’s the best. The customers love her.”

Leiby said Brong is always happy and positive — and likes to make people smile.

“A few weeks ago, I was wearing pie on my head and asking people to order pumpkin pie,” Brong said, referring to a hat shaped like a slice of pumpkin pie.

She also asks customers if they’d like more desserts.

“I say, ‘It’s on me,’ ” she jokes.

“If anyone wants her — she is NOT for hire,” said Leiby, who cherishes the letter Brong wrote years ago.

But it’s doubtful that Brong will leave.

“She told me last night, ‘I am never quitting,’ ” Leiby said. “And I said, ‘You are not allowed to.’ ”

Sturgis, who said Brong continues physical, occupational and speech therapies, said Brong is determined to be a successful lifelong employee.

The most enjoyable part of the job, Brong said, is not the paychecks but meeting and greeting people from all walks of life.

“We learn a lot from one another,” she said, “and they really acknowledge me.”

She calls her coworkers, including Maddy Stripe and Jonathan Leiby, “the best.”

“Maddy is my girl. She is so sweet to me,” Brong said.

Leiby’s staff knew Brong was being interviewed by the Times News — and had recently appeared in a photo published in the newspaper.

“They said with all this publicity I was going to run away and go to Hollywood,” she said. “I am getting an ego.”

When the crash occurred, Brong was on her way to softball practice with other Palmerton Area High School students. A car slid on black ice and struck the car in which Brong was riding.

Although she’s made major achievements, she still needs care 24 hours a day.

“She is such a positive person. She puts well-bodied people to shame,” Sturgis said. “She’s very friendly and she just wants to make people happy. There is not a mean bone in that girl’s body.”

Sturgis said that Brong’s employment proves that “everyone deserves a job no matter what their situation.”

Brong works from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays.

She’s hoping folks will come to meet her.

“I’ll give you the best deal in the house,” she jokes.