Michael likes to fish and hunt with his Dad.
Transitional moments in life can be hard. When Michael graduated Lee High School, he did not look back. But while Michael looked forward to whatever was next, his mother, like many mothers, was nervous about his future.
Today he is thriving. He participates at ExtraSpecialTeas, a program that provides employment on weekdays, but also activities like dance, drumming, art, life skill lessons with community outings.
Michael’s interests are wide ranging, but if he had to pick one, he’d go with music. “I love music, I listen to all types,” he says, naming favorites like Elvis Presley, ABBA, and, Metallica. He keeps robust drum beats on his drum set at home. “I also like to play jazz,” he added, though his mother Letitia, who hears most of the practice sessions, had a different opinion: “Jazz?! They sound like rock beats to me.”
“Some day he will have to move out. We know that. Like most young men, he wants space and freedom. …We are all taking it one day at a time. And every day we feel lucky to have him around.”
At home, the 22-year-old is equally busy when not at his program. He rattled off a list of chores that include the garbage, the mail, vacuuming, keeping his room neat, and helping outdoors with gardening, taking sticks and pine cones off the lawn, weed whacking, and more.
Michael with his family.
“He is also a big help in the kitchen,” says Mom. “He gets out all the ingredients, is interested in the preparation, sets the table, clears the table.” She paused, and laughed. “He helps more than his sister and brother ever did.”
Michael remains connected to his “pair-up“ friend from school, Andy, the assistant football coach at Lee High School. They see movies together, have lunch, and spend time during the football season when Michael helps out with the Wildcats.
Through the Adult Family Care program, BCArc provides support to the family — nursing , community networking, a stipend for support, and more. Michael likes to attend many of the events BCArc offers, including the dances.
Michael earned a medal at this spring’s Olympic Games.
“He’s been working really hard at developing life skills, and preparing for life after high school,” said BCArc’s Michele Dawson-Macchi, who works with Michael and the family.
Going Forward
Letitia and John, Michael’s father, have experience moving their children to independence. Michael’s older sister moved out of the house and is now engaged, and his older brother is in the process of moving out.
“We love having him home. He is doing great,” says Letitia. “He’s making new friends and loves his daytime program. Some day he will have to move out. We know that. Like most young men, he wants space and freedom. But he will always need care. He could move out in six months or six years. We are all taking it one day at a time. And every day we feel lucky to have him around.”
