Positive Approaches Journal, Volume 9, Issue 2

Volume 9 ► Issue 2 ► 2020

Meet Alex Black: A Supported Life Well Lived

Molly Black

This article was revised from an original post at:  https://nfadb.org/page-18334/

My son, Alex, was born in 1991. He loved music, swimming, hanging out with his family—especially his sisters—reading books, and looking at photos. He also enjoyed spending time alone in his man cave.

Alex was an individual with complex support and healthcare needs due to the etiology of Cornelia de Lange Syndrome. Cornelia de Lange syndrome is a genetic disorder. People with this syndrome experience a range of physical, cognitive, and medical challenges ranging from mild to severe. The syndrome has a widely varied phenotype, meaning people with the syndrome have varied features and challenges (www.cdlsusa.org¹). Alex required one-on-one support to complete tasks associated with work, recreation, hygiene, socialization, and safety. Meeting his needs and interests, and our family vision for his adult life, required a great deal of planning. Support as a young adult also required funding. We were fortunate that he had partial Medicaid waiver funding throughout his high school years and full funding through developmental disabilities systems at age 21, in addition to Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

Once Alex exited the school system, his entitlement to services and supports went away. This is the case for many students with disabilities because adult services are based on eligibility and availability of services. Pennsylvania, where we live, has a long waiting list for adult services. They are not easily obtained without advocacy and emergency level of need for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. To be completely honest and frank—without funding, his transition would not have been as successful as it was and would not have met all his needs and interests.

Natural supports for complex individuals are not always easy to find or have available at all times, even though we may desire and plan to use them. Often, those with high healthcare needs and lower communication skills only have paid support, especially as family and friends age. An individual with deaf-blindness and additional needs might require funding for transportation, interpreter services, or home and community habilitation support to complete daily activities, including but not limited to work, medical appointments, and social needs. Throughout Alex’s childhood and adolescence, we often asked ourselves, “If he didn’t have a disability, where would he be learning, playing, socializing, and possibly working?” We used that to guide our decisions for, and with him. Throughout his high school years, we used many person-centered tools such as person-centered planning, Planning Alternative Tomorrows with Hope (PATH), and several vocational assessments, including the process of Discovery. Discovery is a person- centered planning process that involves getting to know a person before supporting them in developing a plan for employment. ² Discovery allowed us to see his strengths and abilities and envision ways he could contribute to his community through work. As parents, we think we know so much about our children, but we learned many new things about Alex through this process.

Planning took A LOT of effort on our part and a great commitment from our school district. Alex’s school funded vocational assessments and the process of Discovery leading to the development of a vocational profile. We formed a team around Alex and allowed him and his interests to be the focus. We created an individualized program for him, and it happened in the community.

Adult agencies were also included in planning for Alex’s future, including Developmental Disabilities, Vocational Rehabilitation, and the Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services. Unfortunately, this was before WIOA—the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. Vocational Rehabilitation did not deem Alex able to benefit from their services and closed his case.

It was important to have a plan in place long before high school ended. Early planning was the key. In Pennsylvania, transition planning begins at age 14. Alex’s planning included exploring vocational pursuits at school and in the community, developing volunteer opportunities, expanding recreational activities, and making community connections. The goal was to have a plan for what his day would look like after he exited high school. Waiting to plan until age 19, 20, or 21 is far too late.

Alex was included in general education classes and his curriculum included a focus on life and vocational skills to prepare him for post-school success. An extra year of high school, after he walked at commencement, involved spending half of each day at school and half in the community securing vocational opportunities. It was important to us that these be individualized for Alex, rather than part of group experiences.

At school, Alex had a paraprofessional in the role of the intervener. She also became an employee of the agency that administered his waiver and we were able to use habilitation aid funding to cover community support even though it was during school hours. I would be remiss if I did not give this individual the credit she was due. She transitioned with Alex and became a hybrid of habilitation aide, intervener, support service provider, interpreter, facilitator, and transporter; depending on what was required at any given moment. Most of all she was trained, and she respected our family values.

Alex communicated with signs, gestures, and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), but was non-verbal. His vision and hearing loss affected his ability to function. He was fortunate to have mobility, but his stamina and attention were short lived. He had the ability to use his small hands, but his fine motor skills were limited. While his unique and creative life accomplishments may seem elusive for someone with his limitations, they were doable with planning and supports. He had interactive days full of interesting things to do and a reason to leave his house and his family each day.

Alex had numerous vocational experiences that helped him learn valuable skills and have rich, meaningful interactions in the community.

Alex lived a rich, meaningful life for 22 years. He was a contributing member of his church and his community, a business owner, and a cherished family member. At the time of his death, he was about to embark on the next step of his adult journey, moving out of his family home to live with a roommate. There is perpetual sadness around our loss, but gratitude for the love, joy, and unique experiences Alex brought to our family.

It is a complicated life our children and young adults with deaf-blindness lead. The world is changing, as many individuals, parents, and advocates no longer consider day programs, sheltered workshops, or remaining at home as the only post-school options. Just like the push to include students with disabilities with their non-disabled peers in general education classrooms, we are seeing the same push to the community for adults.

My advice to other parents is to start planning early. Be an active part of your child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) team. Connect with all potential funding and service providers as early as you can. Set high expectations for your child’s life and don’t be dissuaded by others who do not share your expectations.