Saying “yes” to his dreams

Since Alex was young he has suffered from seizures and lives with an intellectual disability, his mother Carol always knew Alex would need 24-hour care even as an adult.

However, Carol also wanted Alex to live a “normal” life just like other people his age, have a job, move out into his own place, gain friends and natural support systems.

When it came time to find an organization to help care for her son. Carol didn’t just want anyone taking care of Alex. She wanted an organization who would take care of her son like she would, support his dreams, and help him achieve his goals.

Alex always loved horses and wanted to work with them at the stables where he was taking therapeutic riding. His mom was determined to find an organization that would help him live out that dream.  

After exhausting many options of support for Alex, each organization telling her “no they couldn’t support that type of employment” and explaining the other standard “jobs” people with disabilities had at their organizations, stuffing mail, janitorial work, etc.

Carol was losing hope in her search for an organization as committed to giving Alex the life he deserved but then she found SJCS.

And donor support made it possible to say “Yes.”

We don’t have anyone working with horses now, but we will find a way.

You can help make it possible for us to say “yes” to the hopes and dreams of men and women living with disabilities in our community, just like Alex. Your support helps them know anything is possible.

Today, Alex lives in his own apartment with a roommate. He has been working at Rock Creek Stables for 15 years and is so proud of his job. He is thriving in music therapy and we have paired him with life-changing technology — a special watch which helps predict his seizures — and we were able to do all of this because caring community members like you said, yes. 

“I am part of the St. John’s family.”

ALEX

There are still moms like Carol out there looking for someone to say “yes” to their son or daughter, to help support them like family would. There are still friends like Alex waiting for someone to say “yes” to their dreams.