Sep 1, 2020 | Many Lives Many Choices
Forrest “Gunnar” Adkins credits Special Olympics, and some caring friends and teachers for ” bringing me out of my shell” and teaching him to reach out to others. He credits self-direction for helping him to pursue a vocation and to continue reaching out....
Sep 1, 2020 | Many Lives Many Choices
Hannah graduated from high school with honors in 2018 with a GPA of 4.6. She was inducted into the National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS) and was honored to be amongst the few in ceremony to receive a 2018 Maryland Scholars Certificate. Hannah...
Sep 1, 2020 | Many Lives Many Choices
Robbie was born in Southern California, a healthy baby. He contracted encephalitis during infancy which resulted in severe brain damage. He attended multiple therapy and early intervention programs with the hopes of helping him meet his physical and developmental...
Sep 1, 2020 | Many Lives Many Choices
Sunny Cefaratti is co-director of The Musical Autist, an autistic self-advocate, and a mentor to others. The Musical Autist’s mission is “to provide access to the arts and platforms for self-advocacy for musicians of all ages and abilities on the autism spectrum.” It...
Sep 1, 2020 | Many Lives Many Choices
Melanie Cooper, now 35, started Self Direction at 21 and was one of the first Marylanders in the self-directed waiver. All seemed well at her birth, but at 6 weeks old, Melanie contracted spinal meningitis. Thus, began her journey of delayed...
Sep 1, 2020 | Many Lives Many Choices
John is a non-verbal, autistic young man. He is also a happy and productive member of his authentic community because his customized self-direction program is tailored to his needs and desires. John’s early childhood years were marked by problems and by...
